Lunch catch up

Where: Chatterbox, Melbourne
When: Lunch - September 22
Occasion: Birthday Lunch
Wine: None
Website: N.A

It's nice to return to an old favourite and to find the flavours, prices and hard of hearing lady at the cash register are still the same. At a former employer I was making weekly trips to Chatterbox and sampled a good portion of the menu. I even delved into the baine marie a few times for the 'specials'. I never trust a baine marie without visible steam, so it's nice to see a few whisp rising from between the cracks. As i hadn't been in a while i simply couldn't go past one of my favourite dishes, my yard stick Malaysian dish Ipoh Hor Fun. I wasn't disappointed. A delicious mix of noodles, meats and veg was put in front of me. I had to capitulate and grasp a spoon because chop sticks weren't getting enough of flavours into my mouth. My colleague, wary of the baine marie also opted for noodles, char kway teow. I hear that they too were delicious. I'd also strongly recommend the curry and roti special, the roti is fantastic but add a serve of rice for a dollar to make it a filling meal.

Scott's Birthday

Where: Prime House, Melbourne
When: Lunch - September 7
Occasion: Birthday Lunch
Wine: None
Website: www.primehouse.com.au


I spied this place beside one of my favourite melbourne eateries Earl Canteen.  I came though a revolving door with my eyes transfixed on the huge slabs of air dried meat hanging in the glass fridges.

So I took a few photos to remind me to come back and I completely forgot the name of the place.  Then I couldn't find any clues on the net, I even asked friends who I knew dined nearby regularly and still nothing turned up.  But the slabs of meat were calling me and rather than going to Earl (a favourite amongst the group I was dining with) so I took the punt and pointed us here instead.  


I'm very glad I did.  


The place is a cross between a butcher and a cafe, certainly in decor anyway, it has that old fashioned country butcher feel.  


The menu was huge with a wide range of options, yes, with a meat theme.  But I couldn't go past the slow roasted 16 hour pork with a choice of mash or potato gratin.  I also ordered a side of crackling (the waiter didn't tell me it came with crackling, but I'm fine with double crackling, better than fine).  


The roast chicken was very popular among other patrons and the mashed potato was raved about.  


The cafe not only looks a bit like a butcher shop but they also sell cuts of pre packaged meat.  The wagyu looked delicious and quite reasonably priced (for what it is, grade 6 for $9).  There's also daily specials written on the window, continuing the butcher shop feel.   


I'd happily go back, although don't expect the waiters to communicate with each other, or very well with you.  

oh and the relish on the side was lip smackingly good, but the gravy was just spectacular.