Cafe Cui

Eloquent words from the Hungry Cookie about eating in Footscray - "Upgrades to Footscray station, newsworthy Jam doughnuts and a prevalence of trendy cafes and gastropubs (Station Hotel!) means Footscray is steadily losing its ‘dodgy’ reputation. Who knows? Maybe some of our ‘precious’ east-sider friends will venture to the west for a taste *wink." 

Seddon and Yarraville are the main go-to spots for cafe style food in the Western suburbs, but Cafe Cui has proved itself to be a strong competitor. Located just seconds from the train and tram stop, the cafe is attractive to train and tram commuters with the exterior - inviting open windows and light brown timber, and the interior - small, modern and comfortable. The service is a bit slow which I was a bit annoyed about because it wasn't busy. The menu has so much variety, perfect for any cravings.

Cafe Cui's Mighty Breakfast (sourdough toast, veggies, eggs cooked your way, bacon and chipolata sausage) - $15.00

$15 for a big breakfast? What a bargain!!! Popular cafes in the CBD are charging at least $19 for the same thing. The portions are so generous as well, as you can tell from the photo above. The mushrooms were cut two large and the tomato was undercooked but for $15 I guess you can't really complain. The chipolata sausage was delicious and the eggs were poached well. 

The Lover-Lover Lobster Roll (lobster pieces in a sweet brioche roll, housemade mayo served with shoestring fries) - $19.00

The first time I had a lobster roll was Valentine's Day at Golden Fields. It was an unforgettable moment and we consequently had to order more. Golden Fields is no longer operating and has been replaced with Supernormal (I still haven't tried that place out yet) BUT NOW I am so happy a cafe in Footscray is serving it, with generous pieces of lobster too! I love the presentation with the chopping board, and personalised paper to serve the chips with. 10/10 rating from me.

I'm slowly getting better at these birds eye view photos! Practice makes perfect. I didn't order a coffee but they do Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee which is coffee with condensed milk). I smiled when I saw it on the menu, judging on the prominent Vietnamese location. Pay a visit to Cafe Cui if you haven't already because I made an effort from the Northern suburbs and wasn't disappointed at all.

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Cafe Cui
Address: 58 Leeds Street Footscray 3011 (Across from Footscray Station)
Contact: 9687 6967
Hours: Weekdays 6am - 4:30pm, Sat 7am - 4:30pm, Sun 8am - 4:30pm
Price: $$$
Website: http://cafecui.com.au/

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Koba K-BBQ

Koba K-BBQ

Address: 119 Hardware Street Melbourne Vic

Contact: via Facebook

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30-4:30

Price: Under $10

Website: http://kobakbbq.com.au/

It's been a while since I've posted a cheap eats restaurant so I am proud to introduce Koba K-BBQ to my loyal readers! Located across from the well known brunch place 'The Hardware Societe', Koba K-BBQ has nestled themselves in the heart of the CBD where city dwellers are on the look out for a quick and delicious feed. I work in the city myself so I know how expensive eating out can be, especially when "forgetting to pack your lunch" becomes a regular thing. Koba offers affordable prices for tacos, burritos and rice dishes but that doesn't mean they're cutting on quality, flavour and hospitality. 

The twist?? Koba has incorporated two of my favourite cuisines - KOREAN AND MEXICAN. Yes, you heard correctly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Korexican! The meats are prepared with a Korean tasting marinade and they also have kimchi! Who would have guessed that the combination went so well together? :)

On the menu: tacos, burritos and rice dishes all for under $10!!!!!!! 

The fillings include beef, chicken, spicy pork or tofu for all the vegetarians out there.

The creative business is run by Rosa and her brother, two humble and warm people! Thank you for your hospitality :) I hope you guys have a lot of success in your new & awesome business venture.

Jny and I ordered spicy pork tacos, mine with BBQ sauce and hers with Sriracha (chilli sauce). The flavours were not overpowering and actually went really well together. The spicy pork wasn't actually that spicy (coming from me, Miss I can't eat Chilli). 

 WHY AM I SO BAD AT TAKING BIRDS EYE VIEW PHOTOS? Is there a trick to make it look better without being blurry and nervous?

Look at that juicy taco!!! Put down those monotonous wraps or unhealthy fast food meals and opt for these fusion goodies. They even have delicious Korean grape juice 봉봉 which I'm pretty sure is pronounced "bon bon". Koba K-BBQ isn't difficult to get to... it's located on Hardware Street (near Queen and Little Londsdale Street) so don't be lazy and give it a try. 

The Cornershop Cafe

The Cornershop Cafe
Address: 9 Ballarat Street Yarraville
Contact: 96890052
Hours: Mon 8-5:30pm, Tues-Sat 8-9:30pm and Sun 8-5:30pm
Price: $
Website: No website, only a Facebook page

The Cornershop is a tiny cafe located in Yarraville, located across from the well known Sun Theatre. As I was manoeuvring my car through the small streets, I could really sense a taste of what Victoria used to look like in the olden days, where women would wear gorgeous colourful frocks and men would cruise around in their Cadillacs? The area of Yarraville reminded me of one scene from The Notebook where Noah and Allie lay in the middle of a road without a fear in the world. Maybe I've been watching too many soppy movies...

Pot of Chai Latte - $4.50

There is nothing I love more than cafes that serve chai lattes in a tea pot form. It makes the drinking experience just that LITTLE bit better, especially when served with honey. My favourite spot in Melbourne for a pot of chai tea would have to be Industry Beans :)

Baked eggs! Green sauce with kaiserfleisch $14.50

Sarah and I arrived to the Cornershop too late for breakfast and too early for dinner. Thank goodness there was the option of baked eggs (only until 4pm). When the waitress served it to me, the portion looked ridiculously small but when you start picking it at, it's perfect. The kaiserfleisch is like some sort of German ham and had a delicious taste. Two thumbs up from me for this dish. 

Spiced braised meatballs with turkish bread & parmesan $15.50

How cute are the colours on this dish? It reminds me of Christmas. I only got to try a bit of this dish but any dish with lots of rocket is a winner for me. 

Hand Cut Chips with Aioli 

THE CORNERSHOP is definitely a place I would consider "CHEAP EATS". Everything is under $20 bar one dish, pork belly, which is $22 but still quite reasonable considering that it is from the dinner menu. I wish I lived closer to Yarraville so I can soak in more of the culture and enjoy more of the restaurants that they have to offer. I'll make a note to catch public transport on my next visit, at parking was horrific. 

HOW TO GET THERE:

Big Boy BBQ

~~BBQ IS NOT A CUISINE, IT'S AN OBSESSION!~~

Big Boy BBQ has been on my neverending 'to eat list' for quite some time now. 

Considering it was a Friday night, we wanted a relatively cheap eat before we went to watch Olympus Has Fallen (WHICH IS SO INTENSE I MIGHT ADD). We got to BBB at around 5:30pm, before the after-work / dinner rush. There was only one other booth filled in there, meaning it was nice and quiet. Within an hour, the venue started to fill up with hungry people wanting delicious ribs. The place fits people comfortably downstairs in booths or stools, outside and upstairs. I didn't get to go upstairs because it was closed when we got there. 

BBB's motto is SLOW FOOD... FAST, and it definitely was. 

I love places that serve quality food, quickly! 

THE BOTTOMLESS CUP FOR SOFTDRINK - $3.40

Since Subway stopped their softdrink refill rule, not many restaurants have refillable drinks these days... I was super excited when I saw it on the menu for merely $3.40. We got our moneys worth with three cups of sprite and one cup of raspberry (In case you were wondering, we didn't actually drink three cups of soft drink, the cup is small and most of it was ice anyway). Standing ovation to BBB for being one of the first to bring it back!!!

I bought this awesome shirt for $2 :)

The waiter laughed at Hong when he saw sauce marks on his plate because he tried every single sauce. Cutie. There was enough sauce on the ribs, you really didn't need more.

WINGS N RIBS - $35.00 with two sides

(Add $4.00 if you want pork ribs)

Although it may not look like a lot of food, it was more than enough for the two of us. The ribs were so soft, and cut at the right places. IT WAS SUPER JUICY AS WELL. As soon as you took a heavenly bite, it was just like pulled pork. Hong said he enjoyed the ribs at BBB more than he did when he went to Sydney Hurricane's. The ribs at Ribs and Burgers in Northcote are not pre cut which made eating too difficult. I don't like obstacles in my food. 

The wings were overdone, meaning that the meat was too tough and not juicy. I love chicken, don't get my wrong, but it was too burnt and dry for my liking. The sauce on top was flavoursome and not too overwhelming.

The sides: onion strings (not rings), crispy chips witch seasoning and coleslaw.

($4.95, $3.95 and $3.95 respectively for a regular size)

I probably wouldn't recommend the coleslaw if you like the KFC one. I was a bit shocked with the taste because it was a bit bitter, not mayonaise-y. If you want something creamy then opt for the potato salad? Something I should have done.

I am a sucker for hot chips - I MUST HAVE THEM, ALWAYS!!! WITH TOMATO SAUCE OR TOMATO CHUTNEY OR SWEET CHILLI AIOLI. I like HOT CHIPS FROM Mocha Jo's, Coburg Sunday Market/Drive Ins and Schnitz's hot chips ESPECIALLY! Carb loading? I don't care.

As for the onion strings, I don't like onions but the fried texture and oil really disguises the taste. At least it tasted better than onion strings! I remember last time we ordered it from Jus Burgers and couldn't even finish it because I couldn't stand the taste, but my friend wanted to order it so meh.

What a cute logo! If you actually read the text in the back, this place is actually very sustainable. Something very rare and something that they should be extremely proud of. Altogether our meal was only $46.35 - I definitely wasn't expecting anything under $50. If you think Caulfield is too "far" then there is one in Hardware Lane (CBD) for your convenience. BBQ food is food for the soul, you can never get enough of it. Barbeque is one of the best ways to prepare meat as it has a smokey, delicious taste. I will endeavour to try the 'sandwiches' which are more like burgers... judging my the Urbanspoon photos they look massive! I will have to come back, and if you are yet to try it then you need to add it on your list. Pay a visit, you won't regret and you will luv it :)


Big Boy BBQ
Address: 764 Glenhuntly Road Caulfield South / Shop 27-31 Hardware Lane
Contact: 95237410 / 96709388
Hours: Sun-Wed 12pm to 8pm, Thurs-Sat 12pm - 9pm // Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Price: $$
Website: http://www.bigboybbq.com.au/

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Melbourne Public Bar and Restaurant

Hot weather: you either hate it or you love it. I love the heat - and the sleepless nights, summer fruits and the tans that come with it. However, my incurable eczema and the unbearable heat do NOT go hand in hand. Tonight I felt extremely edgy by 5pm... annoyed with my itching, stuck in a traffic jam in the CBD and realising that I hadn't eaten anything for the entire day because the weather made me lost my appetite. Giraffe and I finally made it to our destination (about an hour and a half later), and made our way towards the Melbourne Public Bar & Restaurant, where we would be indulging in $1 oysters. The hours of 4pm -7pm were indeed the happiest hours of my day. I was expecting the oysters to be small and not very well cooked. Boy, was I wrong! You are offered three choices - either natural, kilpatrick or tempura. We ordered half a dozen of each. Kilpatrick is usually my favourite in any other restaurant, but tempura takes the cake.

Lemon Lime and Bitters to wash down the oysters. 

Next time I will probably get a Corona because apparently they are really good with oysters.

Ermagherddddd this photo is so blurry I didn't even realise how blurry it was on my phone because I was SO HUNGRY I just wanted to dive in. I definitely will be heading back to get more oysters during the happy hour! Natural and tempura is excellent. This is a photo of 18 oysters to signify 18 months of dating the giraffe! I feel so sorry for him (being tied down to me would be a tedious job), but the last couple of months have been so excellent. Thank you for everything bebe.

The Kilpatricks.

The flavour was too salty and strong for my liking. Bacon is the bomb diggityyyyy but I think they used too much Worcestershire sauce. My suggestion? Dice the bacon. I couldn't even see my oyster.

Gorgeous environment and setting. Behind the bar are proper table settings for the restaurant diners. We sat on stools that were too high and hurt my back but that's all apart of the gastropub feel. The waiters were super friendly as well which made our experience more pleasant :) I would recommend everyone to come and pay a visit here. There are many more items on the menu, but the oysters were merely an entree for us. It's really not that hard to find as well! It's close to DFO South Wharf - near the Tigerlily / Smiggle entrance. I never realised how many restaurants had opened around the wharf. I love the development, I love the surroundings and creativity of the restaurants and I love that there are more things to try, especially The Sharing House, The Boatbuilder's Yard and Gasolina (which looks like the mechanics in Grease! It's full of pretty bikes and white tiles). 

"get shucked" - love it.

After the 18 oysters we had previously ordered, we opted for another 6 of the tempura. This lot (as you can see) had less batter, which meant you could taste more of the oysters.

Melbourne Public Bar / Cafe
Address: 11 Dukes Walk South Wharf VIC 3006
Contact: 9268 7600
Hours: Open everyday 12pm - 1am for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Price: $1 OYSTERS THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW 
Website: http://www.melbournepublic.com.au/