Tanked Kitchen at Less Than Zero

The ingenious team behind Hammer & Tong have done it again. Bringing their A game to Melbourne's inner south, they have added a kitchen takeover to the their collection with the launch of their latest venture, Tanked Kitchen at popular South Yarra bar, Less than Zero.

In celebration of the launch, I was lucky enough to be invited to sample a selection of the Tanked menu and enjoy a selection of beverages from the bar. Woohoo ! 

Organic Padron Peppers

Wardy's Crispy Chicken Ribs

Smoked Chicken Sliders

Avocado Briont Toast

Yoghurt Panna Cotta 

Tempt your tastebuds with Wardy's crowd pleasing Crispy Chicken Ribs tossed in fish fang sauce, spring onion and sesame seeds, or try the Briont Toast smothered with creamy avo, philly cheese, dukkah and coriander. If you're looking for something to satisfy you sweet tooth, the Yoghurt Panna Cotta with sumac strawberries and walnut crumble is sure to please. Simple bar food with explosive flavours.

Changing up the bar scene, Tanked is delicious addition to the neighbourhood and is the place to be seen this summer. Balmy nights, refreshing drinks and enticing nibbles ? Yes. Yes please.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of ID Collective and Tanked Kitchen

Tanked Kitchen at Less Than Zero

153 Commercial Road  
South Yarra, VIC 3141
http://www.lessthanzerobar.com/ 

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The Stables of Como

Nestled deep in the Como House and Gardens in South Yarra, The Stables of Como is a breath of fresh air, offering city-goers an escape from the frenzied Melbourne city lifestyle. Blending the best of the past and the present, The Stables is utterly enchanting where elegance is met with a touch of country rusticity.

Skinny Flat White

Slow Braised Beef Cheek

The slow braised beef cheek was dark, packed full with flavour and meltingly tender. Together with a smooth, snowy white cauliflower puree, the dish altogether felt quite heavy for brunch. The pickled mushrooms were a relief from the richness, though unluckily did not tickle my pickle.

Chunky Chips with Aioli

I went the extra mile and ordered a side of carbs. I love chips, and anything potato really and these were no exception. I inhaled these chubby little things, making sure to chunky dunk each and every chip in blissful aioli.

Banana Hotcake  

On the other end of the table, my friend enjoyed a sweeter number, a gorgeous dish of banana hotcake with maple mascarpone, fresh banana, bursts of berries and an addictive pistachio praline. With her permission of course, I nibbled and poked at the dish. I found the hotcake rather parched of moisture, crumbly and well, let’s just say Top Paddock has spoilt me. 

The Stables of Como is a whole new cafe experience and one that I would recommend if you find yourself in the area. Taking a leisurely stroll through the gardens post brunch and soaking in some much needed vitamin D, we left feeling calm and relaxed. An enjoyable way to spend a lazy Sunday.

The Stables of Como

Cnr Williams Rd & Lechlade Avenue 

South Yarra, VIC 3141

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Hello Sam

Puns. I love puns. Even better ? Buns with puns. Enter Hello Sam.

You may remember my last post on Hello Sam earlier this year, and so I was delighted when the owner, Katherine made contact to let me know that they just introduced a new menu ! After spotting numerous mouth-watering posts on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I was sold.

Sam the Man

Wow, just wow. Where do I even begin ? The thick 100% Angus beef patty was cooked just right, to a wonderful shade of pink in the middle, topped off with the perfect melted hit of cheddar ale oozing into every nook and cranny. Add to that bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato, red onion, beetroot relish, tomato relish and not just one mustard, but two mustard mayo. I did feel however, a pinch of salt or a punch of herbs would have really taken the patty in the burger to the next level. On the other hand, the sweetness of the relishes added an extra oomph of flavour, but not to the extent of overshadowing the burger. Post Sam the Man, I looked like an absolute mess. Real lady-like, I know. Oh, a great job on the onion rings too.

Davo - Sam's Big Brother

Whilst I was making my way through Sam the Man, Burger King wrapped his hands (hardly) around Davo – Sam’s big brother, beefing it up to three patties. The whole thing was glorious really – barely contained between a toasted brioche bun was beef, bacon, egg, beef, hash brown, red onion, tomato relish, BBQ sauce and even more beef. And he demolished it. Asked for his thoughts on the burger, he mentioned that he would have loved to see some fresh elements in there and would have preferred less BBQ sauce.

BBQ n’ Bacon Chips

Between mouthfuls of our burgers, we also spoiled ourselves with BBQ n’ Bacon Chips. Think crispy, thicky and fluffy beer-battered chips loaded with bacon, slathered in BBQ sauce and tasty cheese.

The lovely Katherine appreciatively took on board all our feedback, and will be working closely with their head chef to continously improve their new menu. Talk about customer service !

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Hello Sam

Hello Sam
760 Chapel Street
South Yarra, VIC 3141

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A La Folie Patisserie

Are you a lover of decadent delights ? Well then, A La Folie is here to please. Located on Chapel Street, this little patisserie offers an extensive range of macarons, petits choux and other delicate French pastries. And who is the genius responsible for these pastry jewels you ask ? Paris-trained patissier, Mercede Coubard.

Pineapple, Coconut and Lime Petits Choux / Salted Caramel Macaron

Coconut Chocolate Petits Choux / Rose Delight Macaron

After careful deliberation filled with plenty of ooing and ahhing, we finally settled on a few standouts to share as we sipped our teas. The macarons were lovely - crispy egg-shell like meringue biscuits together with a soft, smooth cream centre. Our favourite macaron was the blush-pink coloured Rose Delight, an exotic Middle Eastern inspired macaron of rose water, raspberry and pistachios. But it was the petits choux that really impressed me ! Little bites of choux pastry perfectly balanced with a filling of silky smooth crème. We adored the daily special, a tropical paradise of fragrant flavours of pineapple, coconut and lime - truly an absolute bliss !

A La Folie Patisserie serves up exceptional French pastry creations with a modern twist. Perfect for quick catch up or as a thoughtful gift, these goodie guarantee smiles. 

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of A La Folie Patisserie

A La Folie Patisserie

589 Chapel Street

South Yarra, VIC 3141

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Einstein's Relative

Younger sibling of Einstein's 251, Einstein's Relative is located on Yarra Street, just a stone's throw away from South Yarra Station. Beakers, conical flasks and hanging Edison bulbs set the scene. The space is bright and inviting, with plenty of sunlight flooding the room and bright canary yellow daffodils. Oh yes, I was excited.

Chicken Toastada

I had my eyes set on the Chicken Toastada, and boy was I happy with my choice. The freshness, the flavours, and the vibrancy of colours – it all had me jumping for joy. It had tender chicken pieces, crunchy slaw, fresh chilli and tissue-thin slices of radish. On the side was a baby beaker of spicy mayo and portion of lime which perfectly complemented the dish with a faint kick of spice and punch of citrus. Such a dazzling dish !

Haloumi Bruschetta

T was equally impressed with her Haloumi Bruschetta - seeded sourdough toast concealed with creamy avocado, a medley of cherry tomatoes, warm cubes of haloumi and tangy yoghurt dressing.

Mookie

To finish, we also shared a mookie which is the hybrid of everything great about a cookie and muffin. Genius I say !

The guys at Einstein's relative have really got something great going here. With amazing food, friendly service and warm atmosphere, they really have found the formula for success.

Einstein's Relative

1/9 Yarra Street

South Yarra, VIC 3141

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Hello Sam

There are times when all you're after is a burger to sink your teeth into - for that serious meat fix. Then, there are the times when you find yourself looking for a healthier burger - something substantial, yet at the same time, not too heavy. The great thing about Hello Sam, is that they've catered for both these needs. 

Spicy Sam and Beer-battered Chips

This time round, I found myself in the mood for a fresher and lighter option, but of course not wanting to sacrifice on taste. Spicy Sam it was. Jammed between a toasted brioche bun were a beef patty, crisp lettuce, tomato, red onion and fiery jalapeños all doused in a spicy chipotle mayo. True to its name, the burger didn't hold back on the spice meter at all. I love a spicy kick, though I found that it did become a little too overpowering, which ended up masking its accompaniments.

The chips you ask ? They were absolutely amazing - beer-battered and deep fried to perfection. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, just the way I like it. Chips really don't get much better than these. 

Hello Sam is certainly a welcomed addition to the quieter end of Chapel Street. Evidently a reliable burger joint for many, Hello Sam has been a hit and have really been bringing all the boys to the yard. I would say the burger was okay, and it was the chips that stole the limelight. Nonetheless, I left feeling full and satisfied. 

Hello Sam

760 Chapel Street 

South Yarra, VIC

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Mr Burger

The guys at Mr Burger are pretty serious about what they do. They serve burgers, chips and drinks - that is all. Three carefully crafted burgers with top notch ingredients, made just for Melbournians. Mr Burger, Mr Meat and Mr Veg, take your pick.

Being the little piggy I am, I think I nearly squealed when my work colleague had pointed out the food truck across the road.

Mr Meat

Wrapped in foil, just like the American take away burgers do, my Mr Meat did not disappoint. A reliable combination of a sweet and super soft bun, a juicy patty of tender beef, and oozy, melty cheese. Topped off with fresh lettuce, smokey bacon, caramelised onions, tangy pickles and a lathering of BBQ sauce and mayo, I wolfed this down in record time. A truly satisfying burger that really hit the bullseye.

Mr Burger, I blame you - you've got me addicted to burgers all over again.

Mr Burger

Food Truck - Location Varies

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Top Paddock & Adriano Zumbo Patisserie

On the rare occasion that Melbourne blesses us with clear blue skies and sunny days, you know you have to jump at the opportunity to jam pack as much as you can into your day. It was an easy choice for E and I to flock straight to Top Paddock to kick start our day.

Purple Potato & Buffalo Ash Brie Omelette

The deep violet hues of the purple potatoes contrasted magnificently with the pastel yellow of the omelette. They were sweet, earthy and nutty, which further highlighted the creamy mild ash brie and smooth texture of the eggs. Adding a faint spice were also a handful of roughly chopped padron peppers scattered throughout the omelette. At the first few bites, I welcomed the lingering pepper flavour, though I found myself picking around them not long after. 

House Made Muesli with Poached Fruit & Yoghurt

E opted for a lighter breakfast of the House Made Muesli. Out came an amazing mountain of muesli crowned with half a poached pear and the vibrant trail of micro herbs. A dollop of refreshing yogurt was also present, though E expressed that she would have loved to have had more to go around.

I would love to see more of Top Paddock, and will definitely be back for lunch when I get the chance. What I did enjoy the most was the interior and the ambiance that Top Paddock exuded. It is no surprise that they had won the 'Best Cafe Design' at the Eat Drink Design awards just over a week ago.

Top Paddock

658 Church St
Richmond, VIC

Making full use of the lovely weather, I also popped over to visit Adriano Zumbo to buy some Zumbarons for JJ's birthday. Of course, I picked up a couple for myself as well. As you would know, Zumbo is no ordinary man, and his Zumbarons are no ordinary macaron. Pie & Sauce Zumbaron anyone ?

Salted Butter Popcorn and Passionfruit & Basil

Of the two I chose, the Passionfruit & Basil was the most memorable. This sweet little thing tickled both my brain and taste buds. Speckled with dried basil, the two meringue domes sandwiched an amazing butter cream blend of tangy passionfruit and aromatic basil. 

Adriano Zumbo
12 -14 Claremont St
South Yarra, VIC

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NBHD Neanderthal

What's a NBHD Neanderthal ? A mouthful to say is what it is, but mouthfuls definitely worth going for. Let's get straight into it. 

 Skinny Flat White

Coffee was Proud Mary's Brazil & Ethiopian house blend. The first sip of coffee was bold with lingering flavours of plum.

Soy Latte

Green Eggs and Ham

I was torn between a few choices, but ended up ordering the Green Eggs and Ham. The hefty slice of rye toast was teamed up with braised ham hock, fresh tomato, wilted spinach, poached eggs and finished with an impressive pea purée. A combination that oozed deliciousness with each bite. My only complaint would be that the ham was just a tad too salty for my liking. But still, NBHD Neanderthal, I do like your Green Eggs and Ham, I do like them, Jen-I-Am. 

Balmain Bug Roll

We also ordered the Balmain Bug Roll - lightly battered Balmain bug, creamy cabbage slaw,  jalapeños and nutty avocado schmear between a brioche bun. Dare I say it reminded me of McDonald's Filet-O-Fish ? But of course - much fancier, fresher and oh so much better. 

Slow Braised Lamb Shanks

On a bed of the dreamiest mashed potato in beef jus, the slow braised lamb shanks were beautifully tender. Other elements of the dish included a pistachio crumble that added texture and crunch, and creamy Persian feta that was a refreshing contrast to the hearty lamb and mash.

NBHD Neadenderthal is a cafe that offers a strong menu with strong customer service. Waiters knew when to approach you and when to let you be. A lovely space where we did not feel rushed at all, or anyone eyeing us off to leave the moment you finish your last bite and brush the crumbs from your mouth. Neanderthals may not be around anymore, but NBHD Neanderthal is certainly here to stay. 

NBHD Neanderthal

153 Commercial Road 
South Yarra, VIC

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