Being confined to within five kilometres of your home is a good excuse to revisit old-faithful neighbourhood restaurants you know and love. But there’s no reason not to use lockdown to road-test a new spot within your radius (or one that’s delivering to your suburb). Here are five Melbourne newcomers to put on your takeaway to-do list.
Lona Misa
Plant-based dishes take pole position at Lona Misa, Shannon Martinez’s new all-vegan, all-day diner – located inside South Yarra’s recently opened luxury Ovolo hotel. For the duration of lockdown 6.0, the woman behind Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli is doing her entirely meat-free, Latin-inspired food to take away. That means crisp, bechamel-y croquetas stuffed with spicy Padron peppers and manchego cheese; Josper-fired peri-peri cauliflower with a smoky char; and two excellent spud-based specialties – golden-crusted tortilla (Spanish omelette) with creamy aioli, and patatas bravas doused in smoked-tomato-and-fermented-chilli sauce. Plus traditional Brazilian moqueca, a spicy, coconut-y stew brimming with prawns and fish (skin included).
Pre-order online for pick-up at 234 Toorak Road, South Yarra or delivery within five kilometres.
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SIGN UPDeeds Taproom
In June, Deeds Brewing’s long-awaited taproom finally arrived in Glen Iris – serving hazy pale ales, lamington brews and a food menu that highlights beer ingredients. It took five years, but it’s now the first business of its kind in the Stonnington council area. During lockdown, though, it’s focusing on incredibly crisp Southern-style fried chicken. There are two-, five- and 10-piece feeds as well as a hulking Nashville hot-chicken sandwich: a whole chicken Maryland fried and tossed in hot sauce, then plonked on a milk bun with slaw, mayo and pickles. Sides include buttermilk biscuits with malt butter, rustic mash pooling with gravy, and aged cheddar mac’n’cheese. You can also get one-litre “crowlers” (large cans filled and sealed to order) of any Deeds brew on tap.
Pre-order online for pick-up at 4 Paran Place, Glen Iris or delivery within 15 kilometres.
Va Penne
It’s likely those within five kilometres of Northcote have noticed a red, flashing neon hand on High Street, just down from Welcome to Thornbury. It marks the spot for Va Penne, a new dimly-lit Italian eatery from the owners of Joe’s Shoe Store. The classic Italian hand gesture foreshadows what’s to come in both normal and locked-down times. The takeaway menu includes rigatoni with wintry lamb-shoulder ragu, melt-in-your-mouth ricotta gnocchi and garlicky spaghetti vongole swimming gloriously in oil. Pizzas include the Truffle Pig with potato, guanciale, taleggio and truffle oil, while another is topped with mortadella, mozzarella, green-olive salsa and pistachios.
Pick-up at 493 High Street, Northcote.
Meat Frankie
Melbourne isn’t lacking in the exceptional-burger-joint department. But one of the best, under-the-radar newcomers is Meat Frankie – a retro, American-inspired spot on Lygon Street in Brunswick. It deals in classic ’burgs, hot dogs, fries and shakes. There are just three burgers to choose from: a hamburger, a cheeseburger and a bacon cheeseburger – each begins with a caramelised smashed patty served on a pillowy Martin’s potato roll. Then you’re free to add as many toppings as you like (lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, jalapenos and grilled mushrooms) for no extra cash.
There’s also a spicy chilli dog with chilli con carne and cheesy bacon fries. Yes.
Order online for pick-up at 93–97 Lygon Street, Brunswick East.
Yulongfu
Dumplings are the star at newish restaurant Yulongfu; they’re artfully rolled by co-owner Yong Liu. The xiaolongbao recipe has been passed down through the family of Yong’s wife, Emily Liu, from her great grandfather, who first wrote it down in 1904. This spot serves classic pork xiaolongbao, another option with crab, and a signature black-truffle-and-pork number, where truffle paste is whizzed through the mixture as well as the dumpling skin, which is dyed black with activated charcoal. They’re all available during lockdown, as is the rest of the menu, which leans Shanghainese. Expect soft, pan-fried pork buns, drunken chicken (boozed-up on Chinese wine), chicken wontons in house-made chilli oil, drizzled with a drinkable peanut-sesame sauce, and more.
Pick-up at 136 Bourke Street, Melbourne or order delivery via the major apps.
Additional reporting by Quincy Malesovas and Chynna Santos.