The Lab Nitrogen Gelato

The Lab Nitrogen Gelato has only added to the chemistry craze that has swept Melbourne off their feet. Did someone say Breaking Bad ? Complete with lab coats, safety glasses, beakers and test tubes - you know you're in for a treat.

The mad scientists explained that flavours change up on a weekly basis. This week offered Milky Chocolate with Homemade Brownies, Black Sesame, Salted Caramel Popcorn, Raspberry and Yuzu Sorbet, and Ice lemon Tea Sorbet. Though the Milky Chocolate with Homemade Brownies has proven to be an all time favourite and has earned itself a spot on the menu permanently. 

Milky Chocolate with Homemade Brownies

Gelato can't get fresher than this. They mixed their milk with their cocoa puff. Milky, milky cocoa. Mixed their milk with their cocoa puff, milky, milky riiight ? A whirl of the blender, a cloud of smoke, and the result ? Gelato that was super silky in consistency with a great intensity of chocolate.

In comparison to N2 Extreme Gelato, the flavours here did not excite me as much as the punny out-there options you would find in Fitzroy. And you all know how much I love puns. Nonetheless, The Lab is certainly hot hot hot and has taken Melbourne by storm (liquid nitrogen fog) ! 

The Lab Nitrogen Gelato

188 Bourke Street

Melbourne, VIC

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L'Olivo

It was a feast of Mediterranean delicacies at L'Olivo for us on a Sunday night. After a fun filled road trip to the Peninsula Hot Springs, we were all ready for a good feeding.

Bowl of Chips

These chips were crunchy and salty in all the right places. Dip, double and triple dip these in teacups of tomato sauce or garlic aoili for a delicious starter. You can never go wrong with hot chips.

Gnocchi

This smelt divine as it was placed in front of me. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly- firm yet cheesy and melty. Absolutely delicious paired with a creamy rich pumpkin sauce, chewy mushrooms and spinach. It was a hearty dish that was enjoyed by all, though it did get quite salty as the night went on.

Risotto Primavera

The Risotto Primavera that followed was quite similar to the Gnocchi. Smooth earthy pumpkin, mushrooms, onion, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach swirled into al dente rice made a comforting dish. 

Cannelloni

Beautiful cannelloni tubes piped to the brim with a smooth spinach and ricotta filling. Topped with rich traditional tomato sauce, roasted pumpkin and a crunchy parmesan crust resulted in layers of texture and much flavour.

Linguine Calamari

Endless twirlings of linguine, calamari, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in a rich napoli sauce. A simpler dish of the night, but still equally tasty.

Paella

A dish that was highly recommended by a friend, which did not disappoint. A seabed of prawns, calamari, mussels among chicken and chorizo were infused in a yellow saffron and herb rice. This Spanish classic was wonderfully fluffy, flavoursome, and was lifted to another level with a squeeze of lemon.

Grilled Haloumi Wrapped in Prosciutto

Parcels of firm squeaky haloumi pieces wrapped snuggly in prosciutto. These tapas were a strong savoury bite, which were a touch too salty - even for the salty haloumi dish we all love.

Chilli Calamari Salad

A salad ! What a relief it was when the salad arrived at our table. Following such rich and creamy dishes, the fresh zesty salad of mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, capsicum, red onion and grilled chilli calamari was greatly appreciated. 

Oh, how I L'Olivo'd this small family restaurant. Food was generous, fresh and genuine. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, coupled with service that was attentive throughout the night. After three unsuccessful attempts to dine here, I finally made it. Having said that, learn from my mistakes - call ahead as bookings are essential at L'olivo. Don't say I didn't warn you.

L'Olivo
171 Waverley Rd
Malvern East

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Super Bowl Pho & Bun Bo Hue

A rainy Wednesday night brought my friends and me to Super Bowl Pho & Bun Bo Hue. Let me tell you, there is nothing more comforting than eating a hot steaming bowl of pho on a cold night. But wait, there is - a super bowl of pho.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Hanoi Style Spring Rolls 

Pork, vegetables and shrimp in rice paper rolls were deep fried to a golden brown, with the perfect crunch with each bite. The right way, and the only way to eat this dish is to eat with your hands. In fact, if you decided any other way, you would look ridiculous. Wrap these babies up with vermicelli rice noodles in a fresh leaf of lettuce and dip/soak in fish sauce. Yum !

Pho

The broth was light, slightly sweet and fragrant. You could taste the hours on end that the soup had have simmered for. The flat rice noodles were smooth, slippery and slurp worthy. Unfortunately, I found the thick slices of beef not as tender as I would have liked. Completing the dish, chopped spring onion and sliced onion added the perfect bursts of freshness. And boy, was the bowl gigantic.

Hanoi Style Vermicelli Noodle

The last dish was char-grilled pork chops and pork patties served with rice vermicelli, an abundance of fresh vegetables and pickled carrots and daikon. The pork was tender and full of flavour and was voted the favourite of the night by my friends.

Overall, Super Bowl Pho & Bun Bo Hue was fresh, fun and flavoursome. And you know what they all say - the bigger, the better.

Super Bowl Pho & Bun Bo Hue
252 Victoria St
Richmond

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