So the whole quitting bread thing didn't last very long but oh my was the lapse worth it! The Bowery serve up some damn fine pastrami on rye with pickles and sauerkraut. The pastrami was just like what my grandma used to make (and torture Senor Gringo with - she was convinced a grown man could easily finish 1kg of meat in five days - the poor thing ate it for breakfast and lunch for the whole trip). The meat was so clearly real actual meat, you could see the grain of the meat and there was a line of fat along the edge, which was easily removed. It was so very very tasty - sweet and salty and smoky all at once.
Senor Gringo ordered a Philly Cheese Steak. It was apparently suitably greasy without being sickly and the peppers and mushrooms nicely offset the cheesy-ness.
Only problem is, we were not the only ones to figure out that the Bowery offeres tasty, good quality NY-esque food. The cafe is packed, you wait close to ten minutes for a table at lunch time and it can get very loud. Unless you are seated outside probably don't plan on catching up with a long lost friend for that much needed conversation.
The staff are very accommodating, even for the fussy eaters amongst us (my sandwich needed a couple of modifications and even though they were so busy they got it right).
Seating is mostly at a long communal bench, with a few smaller tables inside and out. The menu is on black boards on the wall and changes even during mealtimes (some dishes were added and others removed as they went). There are a couple of vegetarian options, vegans would have to survive on garden salad and celiacs would have to make it well known if they have an issue with cross contamination (there are gluten free breads available for an extra charge or the salads are gluten free).
Two ticks. Way better than a lot of food I've had in American (although I must confess since 97% of beef in America is raised in feedlots I usually go meat free unless I can get organic). If you want a good quality sarnie for lunch & you have the time I certainly recommend the Bowery to Williamsburg.
Naked for Satan is a great little bar. It feels like a library for booze! Walls lined with bottles of alcohol, dark wood shelves, lush bench seats and sample platters to help you choose your tipple (a welcome addition since they have a 18 page drinks menu). Plus, as someone who loves snack sized food, I think the pintos are adorable. What I didn't expect is nearly everyone of them is on bread. Once I moved on from that fact I just settled in to enjoy. There are so many to choose from and for only $2 each ($1 in happy hour), how can you not? They even cater for vegans (albeit with fewer options).
For more substantial food, head upstairs to the roof top bar and restaurant for Spanish inspired entrees, mains and desserts, which I'm assured are very good (I can't move beyond the pintos).
The staff can be grumpy jerks or absolutely wonderful - be warned.
Two ticks. This is such a fabulous Melbourne bar you can't help being impressed.
Vegan food to drool over. I wanted to eat everything on the menu and had such a hard time deciding.
I settled on the jalapeno and corn fritters with vegan sour cream, smokey coconut bacon and maple syrup. So tasty, so rich, so filling. I sadly didn't have room for dessert and ended up with a sugar headache from all the maple syrup (the chilli and orange sparkling mineral water didn't help the matter) but it was very much worth it.
My friend ordered the hash with vegan cheese sauce, guacamole, and spicy tomato sauce. I can vouch for its Mexican inspired goodness and tell you that I'm inspired to try making a vegan cheese sauce for tonight's dinner.
This is vegan food that makes you feel like you're not missing out by forgoing animal products. With its rockabilly vibe and cosy atmosphere it's a total winner.
Three ticks.
Ovest is my local pizzeria, within walking distance of my house. When I first moved here I thought I had died and gone to foodie heaven. The pizza was perfect, the atmosphere lively and they offer a range of yummy high quality spirits and craft beers.
Nine months later, the top notch drinks menu remains but the food quality has slipped. The toppings have become miserly and the flavours lacklustre. I don't know if they have a new chef or they just can't cope with the volume but I have voted with my feet and moved on to L'Uccellino in Yarraville.
Downgraded from three to one stars. Sadly no longer worthy of the good food guide.
By Korea is a clear neighbourhood favourite. The lines are huge. The beer is flowing and fried chicken is everywhere.
I ventured here as my first choice lunch venue was closed for the Christmas break. Not being a fan of fried chicken Senor Gringo and I ordered a beef stew and vegetarian bibimbap. The meat and vegetable portions were small with large bowls of rice offered to fill you up. The flavours were good, particularly the stew, which had a fresh tasting spicy broth. The pieces of meat were lean but the bibimbap was disappointing with salad strangely heaped in the hot stone bowl and since I didn't want a huge amount of rice I walked away hungry.
One tick. Not fussy eater friendly.
