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Sunday February 12, 2012

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Ela Carte's Neighbourhood Gems

Posted by: ELa Carte, 3AW Breakfast | 30 August, 2010 - 10:14 PM
Cornershop

This week – a bit of a theme, and hopefully some suggestions from listeners. We’re out to uncover some neighbourhood gems, those places tucked away in your local suburb that you might not have even tried until recently, but deserve a bit of an airing here on the breakfast show.

I bring it up because in the last week or two, I’ve unexpectedly stumbled upon some great venues and gorgeous meals. 

Cornershop – 11 Ballarat St Yarraville 9689 0052

I feel guilty admitting this, but I’d heard Cornershop was yet another great cafe in my ‘hood, and yet each time I walked past during the day it was so busy, and its clientele apparently so uber-cool that I just couldn’t bring myself to fight the hoardes and try its wares.

But, when I had to organise a birthday dinner on a weekday night recently, I figured it might be worth a go. And my verdict? What the hell have I been missing all this time???

Cornershop at night just has a vibe, a “The Castle” type vibe that you just can’t quite put into words, but it was a gem. Gently lit with a combination of candles and dim lights draped in industrial, recycled shades, with great tunes and laidback staff – it felt a winner before we even got to the food.

It’s part cafe, part bistro, part tapas bar ... it’s Mediterranean meets Middle East. Right across the road from the gorgeous Sun Theatre, it’s a perfect stop pre or post-movie. Most dishes are perfect for sharing, and they’re happy to add an extra item or two if the numbers don’t quite add up.

The highlights were:

-  Braised Meatballs ($14) in a rich tomato sugo with chargrilled Turkish bread & parmesan

-  Nice big round zucchini fritters ($12.50) with mint, cumin yoghurt, sumac and pine nuts

-  Baked semolina gnocchi (16) with tomato jam & kingbrown mushrooms

-  Grilled Baharat chicken with picked Lebanese cucumber, feta & olives

And my other unexpected winner?

Ragazzi – 165 Mills St Middle Park 9686 6777

Now this one is by no means a new arrival, in fact I distinctly remember driving past it often when I lived in Port Melbourne at least 8 years ago, and not once did I think to wander in on a weeknight or book a quiet weekend lunch. And yet, visiting a friend just last week, it was the closest venue on a windy night and so in we walked to be greeted by a bustling restaurant, with warm woodfire oven, and smiling efficient staff. In fact the staff could have been the highlight, had I not ordered the special pizza for the night – Moroccan lamb.

I was expecting a bit of a mincey number with some spices and yoghurt. But what arrived was melt in the mouth shredded lamb shanks, with chunks of pickled beetroot, baked eggplant, fresh rocket and devilishly garlicky yoghurt. Already feeling guilty about a weekend food blowout, I desperately didn’t want to enjoy this pizza, but the cruel world did plot against me. It was a pizza highlight of the year for me.

Ragazzi is shelved walls lined with bottles and bottles of wine, from Australia, New Zealand, Italy and beyond; local diners talking loudly; friendly waiters and waitresses; and a menu of mainly traditional Italian staples - pizza, pastas, seafood, veal, basically it’s yet another neighbourhood gem.

Have a neighbourhood gem? Email breakfast@3aw.com.au with yours.

3AW Food - Eating Melbourne

Spain food 3AW is Food: Melburnians love to eat so it's fortunate we live in the culinary capital of Australia. On this dedicated food page you will find the latest recipes by Bob Hart as well as Tony Leonard's Pub of the Week reviews. La Luna head chef Adrian Richardson also serves up a dish from his own cook book and food reviewer Ela Carte visits one of Melbourne's hottest eateries weekly.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Hi Janice,

    It was Naked for Satan in Brunswick St Fitzroy, the review is on the 3AW Food page now.

    Thanks
    Ela

    Ela Carte Sunday 19 December, 2010 - 10:04 AM

  • Hi Ela,
    You reviewed a restaurant in fitzroy street brunswick on Friday 17th where they sell small plates for 50 cents or $2. I can't remember the name of it.

    Thanks.

    Janice Collins Saturday 18 December, 2010 - 11:45 AM

  • Hi Shelley,

    It was Tantra Indian Restaurant and it's at 256 Blackburn Road Doncaster East.

    Thanks,
    Ela

    Ela Carte Thursday 21 October, 2010 - 1:37 PM

  • A couple of weeks ago you reviewed an indian restaraunt in Doncaster can you give me the details ie name address and phone no

    Shelley Hopkinson Wednesday 20 October, 2010 - 10:43 AM

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