All aboard

In desperate hope to find something quick and easy before heading to the football on Saturday night Google was the best option to fill our bellies.

Having Japanese cravings, I searched "Sushi Train Melbourne" and this is what I found.

Sakura Kaiten Sushi, 61 Little Collins (note to self: do not allow map-illiterate people tell you how to get there from Parliament train station, you will have a hike ahead of you). With a courtesy call because we were running late, we finally make it is the hole in the wall restaurant.



There was so much variety it was hard to decide but there weren't any duds. In retrospect, opting for a dumpling which is meant to be hot, when it has been circling a conveyer belt for a little while might not be the best option but the sashimi was as fresh as it comes.

My favourite was hands down the tuna sushi with tempura batter, perfect texture explosion in your mouth.

What better way to wash down your Jap Jap than with an Asahi. Good choice Google.

aMAZEing?

So, Mr Ramsay has made his way to Melbourne so why not give his restaurant a go??

The floor staff are trying to push the degustation menu to make it easier and that way there are less decisions to make.

Honest opinion? I was a little bit underwhelmed with everything. Yes, it was good but it wasn't amazing. My favourite course in the degustation was not even included on the menu, it was an added extra from a friend in the kitchen which was yum.

Such a disappointment for all the the hype about it, I didn't even hear swearing of a Ramsay-esk character.

Having knowledge from inside the kitchen, apparently Maze has had troubles with their floor staff and not being able to perform to the expectations of management.

If you want to try it yourself to prove otherwise, you will find it at Level 1, Crown Metropol, Corner of Whiteman and Clarendon Streets, Southbank.

Cheap and Cheerful

What better way to fill your belly after a hard work out at the gym than with a healthy bowl of granola.

Simply sweet with a side of vanilla yogurt and poached fruit, this breakfast cannot fail.

Found in the complete backstreets of Windsor, the Windsor Deli might be tricky to find but is well worth the search. At 33 Hornby St Windsor, this little nook of the world also provides the daily milk bar essentials along with freshly squeezed juice and a coffee which isn't too shabby either.

I was in utter shock to get a bill for only $12. TWELVE DOLLARS!! Hello, did I mention I just had juice, coffee and a big bowl of cereal? Genuine bargain.

Awkward for all the all the wrong reasons

The new Ladro can be found at 162 Greville Street Prahran which is a lot easier for me. Having walked past the construction site for the past few months in sheer anticipation, I am proud to say I finally made it on day two of business.

Having pizza expectations of its predecessors, I wasn't going to let this pizza slip through my knife and fork.

Up there with my favourite vegetables is most definitely peas, yummy fun juicy balls of goodness that pop in your mouth, who could ask for anything more? So, when I see a pizza with peas on it, how could I possibly resist? It also helps that there were prawns, tomato, chilli and basil.

This was a serious taste sensation, not too filling either, loving their thin bases!

Even for mid week, this place seemed to be buzzing with a combination of food addicts and cool young guns trying to keep up with the Jones'.

Whilst dinner was fabulous, I did find myself in a situation I had never experienced in a restaurant. My dinner date took a detour to the ladies and within moments the seat opposite me was occupied by a hot-shot bloke who thought he had the moves. There is no polite way of saying "excuse me, I don't know who you are, and no I am not interested" so I just had to grin and bare his poor attempt for flirting - genuine awkwardness.

Having to explain this to my bathroom-returned date was tricky not to giggle too obviously so white chocolate hot chocolate was an easier option. The spoon is there for a reason, make sure you get the last little bit at the bottom of the cup, it's the best.

Is that a 20c piece in the bottom of your glass?

Drinking games are always a fun way to start dinner for your best friends birthday. So if there is a 20c piece in the bottom of your glass it means scull (or in the American's opinion it means chugg). We have made our way to one of Melbourne's nicer restaurant bars, Cookie 1/252 Swanston Street in the city.

It is a battle to find a table big enough for us all but with a few elbows out and and few hip and shoulders we managed to all get squished around a few tiny tables.
After the 20 cent piece residing in my glass a few too many times it is time for some serious food.

Ladies, if you want to see your man's teary side, here is your cue, chillies are a favourite for this Thai kitchen.

Five spice chicken is comparative to last night's experience at Ichi Ni yet this time there is bucket loads.

Having travelled through Thailand many times, I claim this to be the best green chicken curry ever with chicken and corn dumplings as well as enoki mushrooms. Delish! As the boys have a sook, I pile up some pad thai on their plates to cool their tastebuds. Having succeeded I find it humorous to give them some salad too. This is where the chilli really packs a punch.

After copious amounts of food and my hand getting tired from covering the top of my drink to save myself from yet another scull, we opt for a few more flights up the The Toff. Ahh this place is date heaven!

Three's a crowd

Standard Saturday after work...I am given three options for dinner but my actions speak louder than works as I itch my knee (hint hint).

Ichi Ni Izakaya, next to the Espy at 12 The Esplanade, St Kilda is packed to the rafters. Feeling a little sceptical that we are going to get a table without having a booking, the pommy waitress finds us three stools around the grill. To make our third wheel feel more comfortable, the Asahi just keep flowing.

Do I like gyoza? Yes! is theirs the best I've tried? Yes! Do I like tempura? Yes! Is theirs the best I've tried? Yes! Going well so far I get a little thrown by the eel. Having recently tried it and not being overly impressed I am finally convinced to give it another crack, ahh, yum! They can make even things I don't like taste good.

Without a word of a lie the Tori Cara chicken was the best chicken I've had for a while. GIving the Colonel a real run for his money.

My favourite thing about Japanese food it walking out of the restaurant still feeling light, yet this time I was a little stumbly too which never hurt anyone.

This is a wonderful place for a few nibbles yet isn't ideal if you are famished, hence the fact we detoured via Maccas St Kilda on our way out...shwoops

An hour drive for a steak

Ok, well, it really shouldn't have taken an hour to get there but I have zero idea when it comes to the geography of Melbourne's western suburbs.

I wasn't sure if our back seat driver really was a dodgy GPS or she just found it amusing seeing our driver struggle in a car which was way too small for him, so much so, he had to duck.

Finally we arrive at what I see to be "just another pub", Station Hotel, 59 Napier Street, Footscray, it is pretty daggy in appearance. As I walk in, skepticism is creeping up, although I am told to brace myself for what I am about to experience.

Proving to all that I can really eat, I opt for the 400g, 150 day old Angus rump.

Chips - fat, golden and have the perfect amount of crunch.
Salad - fresh, crisp and with an amazingly light dressing
Steak - melt in your mouth, literally! I have no idea what they did to this steak but it was up there with the best. Having tasted both the pepper and the béchamel sauces, I can say they both equally compliment the steak.

With a chef in the kitchen from Arzak in Spain, expectations were high. I am pleased to say, for me, expectations were exceeded.

As if that wasn't enough to eat, I had a nibble of the pav, the chocolate soufflé and the sticky date. Everyone always loves a bit or sticky date ;) too much food! Yum.