Red Spice Road QV

Red Spice Road QV

31-37 Artemis Lane, Melbourne

(Ph) 8660 6300

I had come here ages ago but for some reason never blogged about it! So back-blogging now =)

After a very pleasant experience at the McKillop Road store, we decided to take some Brisbane friends here to try out some fusion food - they had initially wanted Chin Chin but we didn't want to wait like 2hrs for dinner. Came here on a Saturday night and surprisingly it was quite empty though we were pretty early like 6ish.

They have the paintings of three naked Asian ladies like at the McKillop store - different paintings but add to the Asian fusion atmosphere.

Quite a nice big bar area up the front...

And a long area of tables up the back, much nicer lit compared to the McKillop Road one where you get a lot of natural sunlight here =)

We wanted to try an entree as we hadn't tried one before. Watermelon with Sticky Duck and Cashew Relish $7.50

Quite an interesting combination of flavours - braised sweet duck meat with some cashew crunch on the outside and a sweet refreshing piece of watermelon, seems all a bit random together but is quite interesting.

Soft Shell Crab fried with Snake Beans, Wild Ginger, Basil and Black Pepper Sauce $34.00

Omg look at the proportion of snake beans to crab compared to the one we ordered at McKillop Road?! So even though it's the same menu item they make it very differently at the 2 stores - I think I like the McKillop Road one where they were more generous with the crab =P Also this felt like it was more deep fried than stir fried, though the other one was kinda like that too.

The famous Pork Belly with Apple Slaw, Chilli Caramel and Black Vinegar $35.00

Just as we remembered it from last time - pork belly was crunchy on the outside and soft and braised inside to perfection =) The only downside was they were way too generous with the coriander on the salad for my liking - more apple would be better!

We tried something new this time - Twice Cooked Lamb Ribs with Mint, Lychee and Avocado Salad $35.00

Lots of mint (and coriander ugh) in the salad. Had to really search through the pile of salad to find the lamb ribs =P They weren't very meaty and because of that the meat was a little dry, but I think lamb ribs are just like that, unlike pork ribs (my fave) <3 Still the flavours were good, and they tried to crunch up the outside and be soft inside but there's just not that much meat on them to achieve optimal results =/

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Another visit to Red Spice Road QV a few months later wasn't as pleasant as the first one =( We had made a booking for 8pm but when we got there the waiters said there was still a bit of wait for a table and asked us to take a seat at the bar. 20 minutes later we were still not seated and we asked the waiters again and she said unfortunately the table hadn't left yet - well if the table is booked for 8pm then they just gotta tell them they have to leave! Can't be nice to them but not to us! o_Oa finally at 8.40pm we were finally seated - we were soo hungry that we really weren't in the mood for much anymore =/ We of course had to order the Pork Belly and the Soft Shell Crab again, but also ordered the Crocodile Jungle Curry with Baby Corn and Apple Eggplant $35.00

I don't remember if I've had crocodile meat before - it tastes like a cross between chicken and fish! Actually quite interesting I thought it'd be quite tough. Though this curry was very spicy so beware!

Food~

8/10 - just as good as the McKillop Road one, pretty much the same menu, and again would definitely recommend the Pork Belly and Soft Shell Crab =)

Service~

1/5 - the first visit was good but the second time was appalling, they really need to work on their booking management =/

Atmosphere~

4/5 - much nicer and newer than the main store, better lighting too

Click here for a review of the McKillop Road store..

Red Spice Road

Red Spice Road

27 McKillop Rd, Melbourne

(Ph) 9603 1601

Red Spice Road! I had been meaning to come here for so long - been to so many similar restaurants (Chin Chin, Gingerboy, Cookie) all with a Western-twist to South East Asian cuisine, fusion! I had read and heard so much about their famous Pork Belly here - could not wait to finally try it out =)

The interior decor is very unique here - the restaurant is only lit by large ball lanterns which line the restaurant to the back along the 2 very long communal tables. The lighting is very ambient here and be prepared to share tables especially if you're a small group or don't book - complements the whole sharing dishes experience. Up the back hangs 3 large portraits of young Asian women - adds to the fusion feel of the restaurant =)

There is also a bar area which has a different feel to the main part of the restaurant. Since we were a group of 8, they seated us near the entrance which was good had a bit of privacy =)

We decided to share 6 mains between us 8. Thought we should get 2 serves of their famous Pork Belly with Apple Slaw, Chilli Caramel and Black Vinegar $35.00

Heavenly goodness <3 The pork belly is cooked twice, then deep fried so the meat is soft and melt-in-your-mouth but crunchy on the outside. My first piece of pork was a bit soft and chewy on the outside, probably 'cause it was sitting in the gooey sweet caramel sauce but my second piece was perfection <3 The black vinegar is served separately so you add it to your liking, but complements the chilli caramel sauce nicely. And the apple slaw adds a refreshing touch to the fatty deliciousness of the dish =)

We also got 2 serves of the Soft Shell Crab stir-fried with Snake Beans, Wild Ginger, Basil and Black Pepper Sauce $34.00

Stir-fried soft shell crab? I've only really ever had soft shell crab deep fried but this meant it wasn't super crunchy but still with a slight crisp on the outside and you get to actually taste the meat! What a bonus they were very generous with the crab =)

We got one serve of the Duck Red Curry with Pineapple and Sweet Potato $37.00

The duck was very tender and fell off the bone easily. The curry was quite tasty full of flavour - red curry is my favourite with coconut milk =)

Last came the Crispy Skin Chicken with fragrant Cinnamon Broth, Sugar Peas and Corn $34.00

We thought we should get a chicken dish but this was a bit ordinary =( Crispy skin chicken yes but nothing too spectacular here.

They gave us 2 massive bowls of rice - definitely need rice to go with the many different flavours of the meal =)

Food~
8/10 - definitely go for the Pork Belly! It's the only dish on the menu that never changes =) Would like to try some of their entrees next time like the Twice Cooked Lamb Ribs with a Tamarind and Coconut Relish. Fine dining at a very affordable price especially with the Entertainment Card! =P

Service~
3/5 - waiters are very attentive here, kept refilling our water and asking us how our meals were =)

Atmosphere~
3/5 - quite nice that they seated us separate to the rest of the restaurant so had some privacy

Will definitely be back! Next time might try their banquets (lunch banquet for $25 each!)

C.
xo



Click here for a review of the QV store..

Gingerboy

Gingerboy

29 Crossley St, Melbourne

(Ph) 9662 4200

We had wanted to come to Chin Chin for dinner, went in at 6.15pm and they said the wait was going to be at least 1.5hrs so nearly 8pm =/ We were starving so decided to go somewhere else - thought we should come to Gingerboy since the cuisine is quite similar. And luckily they could seat us straight away =)

The waiter said we should share 5 entrees and 3 mains between 5 of us, but we weren't very hungry so decided to just get 2 entrees and 3 mains. 

We hadn't ordered this but this came to our table - Crispy chilli salt cuttlefish, lemon and roasted sesame. Looked delicious, we thought it was a freebie but then realised they had actually just given it to the wrong table =( I wonder if they give the same dish to the correct table or they bring out a new one? They really should bring out a new one, so if that's the case they should have just let us eat this one haha =P

I love the Son in law eggs at Chin Chin so I had high expectations here. Son in law eggs, chilli jam and asian herbs (3 pieces) $13.50

The eggs come whole here, and the waiter adviced us to put the whole egg in our mouths and let it melt in there. It JUST fit in my mouth but was so difficult trying to bite it and taste the flavours. I think I prefer the Chin Chin ones which are cut in half with a soft boiled yolk. I couldn't even tell what the yolk was like here I had so much difficulty eating this =( Also I think the Chin Chin ones were crispier on the outside but like I said, it may be because I couldn't taste much here =/

We also got the special entree of the night - fried soft shell crab (don't know what the name is as it's not on the menu)

<3 soft shell crab! Crispy yet lots of flavourful meat =) The salad was really good too, no coriander w00t =P

P had been here before and recommended the Red braised pork belly, szechuan spiced pineapple relish, pickled papaya $37.50

He said he remembered it to be better, but then again, last time he came it was a a free work dinner and free food always tastes better haha =P The pork belly was very soft and tender with a sweet and spicy sauce - modern Asian flavours =)

I wanted the Red duck leg curry, shallots, thai basil and coconut cream $38.50

Deliciously coconutty and not spicy at all - red curry is my favourite curry <3 I like how they dribbled some coconut cream over it to give it some colour difference =) The duck meat was so soft it pretty much fell off the bone =)

Last came the the Roasted hapuka, bandit sauce, zucchini fritters, fennel and citrus salad $39.00

This was alright, fish was roasted nicely with crispy skin. Zucchini fritters were delicious but got soft on the sauce =( Citrus fruits aren't in season so were a bit sour =/

Food~
7/10 - quite tasty overall, though it is quite expensive =/

Atmosphere~
3/5 - ambient atmosphere with beautiful internal decor

Service~
4/5 - very good service but you're paying for it here =P

C.
xo

Chin Chin

Chin Chin

125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

(Ph) 8663 2000

P was taking me out for my birthday! =) It was a surprise - all he said was meet at corner of Flinders Lane and Swanston Street at 6pm. He said this place was quite famous but it's not super high class and we can't make bookings for it... hmmm. We started walking along Flinders Lane towards Elizabeth Street and I was thinking "what's along this part of Flinders Lane?" and then I saw Chin Chin in the distance and knew we were going there! =D After our last attempt at coming here I've been waiting for an opportunity to try this place out! We got there at 10 past 6pm - I told P how the other time I tried to go with uni friends and we couldn't get a table even though we got there at 6pm >< Luckily because we were just a group of 2, they managed to find a table for us =)

The menu was so wide and varied with so many unique and strange-sounding dishes we didn't know what to order! They had a banquet for $66 per person, where they serve up 7 dishes of the day and that way we wouldn't have to choose dishes =P We were considering that but then figured what if they gave us something we didn't like. In the end, we decided to get a few entrees and 2 mains - since the dishes didn't look that big and P wanted to massively stuff me since it's my birthday =P

I ordered a pineapple coconut crush to start off.

 

It was delicious =D So refreshing with a hint of coconut - P kept saying the drink tasted like liquid vanilla cake... I don't know where he got that from 'cause 1. vanilla cakes do not have coconut in it and 2. what the.. liquid cake?!

P got an Organic Lemonade..

which was ridiculously sour! Omg no wonder they put sugar in normal lemonade =P True lemonade is so face squirmingly sour!

We ordered 2 entrees to start off - Spicy Eggnet Rolls w Spanner Crab & Chilli Jam (2) $12

Spicy Eggnet Rolls w Spanner Crab & Chilli Jam

This was very interesting - the spanner crab and chilli jam inside was delicious with bits of crunchy vegetables and some sort of mayo-like sauce to keep it all together. The eggnet didn't really taste like egg - kinda like a pancake but a bit chewy as well. Very uniquely delicious =)

Next came the Chin Chin Pork "Roll Ups" Red Braised Suckling Pig w Pancakes, Slaw & Sour Herbs $18

Chin Chin Pork "Roll Ups" Red Braised Suckling Pig w Pancakes, Slaw & Sour Herbs

For some reason we thought it would come all "rolled up" so we were a bit surprised it's like Peking Duck.  There was SO much coriander in the salad omg >< I picked some bean sprouts out and put it in a pancake with some of the sour sauce and some of the pork.

The pork was so soft and went so well with the refreshing salad. They gave us 4 pancakes - the top 2 pancakes were good but the bottom 2 were getting soaked by the salad dressing which made it very hard to make a roll =/ They should have put the pancakes separate to the dish - but overall very delicious Thai version of Peking Duck =)

Next came the Salt & Pepper Crusted Soft Shell Crab w Green Papaya Salad & Nahm Jim $23

Salt & Pepper Crusted Soft Shell Crab w Green Papaya Salad & Nahm Jim

This was fantastic! =D the soft shell crab pieces were such large pieces - they were definitely not stingy with their crab! Crunchy on the outside yet still lots of meat =) And the Nahm Jim sauce was so unique with a hint of green papaya - went very well with the salad. Grr at all the coriander in the salad!

The Caramelised Sticky Pork w Sour Herb Salad & Chili Vinegar $24 came next.

Caramelised Sticky Pork w Sour Herb Salad & Chili Vinegar

This was the dish of the night =D The pork was so tender and soft and sweet and was absolutely delicious! It's like the Chinese braised pork belly but without so much fat. Although there was skin on some of the pieces which I didn't enjoy much 'cause it was just soft and fatty but the meat was YUM =D There was some strange vegetable in the salad (the circle on the top of the dish) which neither P nor I knew what it was and really didn't like it. To be honest, I wasn't a fan of any of the salads but I guess it's 'cause of my dislike of coriander more than anything =P

We also got a side of "Son in Law" Eggs w Chilli Jam $8

"Son in Law" Eggs w Chilli Jam

We tried Son in Law Eggs at Ghin Khao which we quite liked but this was so much more delicious! The egg was deep fried but the yolk was still half runny! <3 And the chilli jam with the dried shrimp was so delicious with the egg - love love for $8!

We saw the next table had ordered the Wild Barramundi Wrapped In Banana Leaf w Coconut Red Curry, Lime & Thai Basil $24 which looked quite interesting so we decided to order it as well - I told P it would be too much food but he wanted to stuff me full =P

Wild Barramundi Wrapped In Banana Leaf w Coconut Red Curry, Lime & Thai Basil

It was so strange looking and actually didn't look as appetizing in front of us =P The barramundi was coated in red curry paste which was actually quite chili =/ It was a bit too chili for us, and by the time it came to the table, we were SOO full from all the other food that we didn't have much room to enjoy this dish =( In the end we scraped off the hot chili paste and ate the barramundi - which was very soft and moist, given it was cooked in the banana leaf =) We probably shouldn't have ordered this dish 'cause we didn't really have room to enjoy it but anyway...

We were STUFFED! Absolutely no room for dessert... and we didn't really finish the salad on a few of the dishes - more 'cause I didn't really like them ^^;; but all the dishes were delicious in their own ways and so unique compared to other Thai/Vietnamese restaurants.

Definitely want to come back to try some of the other dishes!

Happy birthday to me! =D

8.5/10

C.

xo