London Tavern Hotel - Pub Food - Richmond

Going to the see a game and wondering where to go before or after? For pre-game drinks, The London Tavern Hotel has one of Melbourne's best-equiped coutyards for you, your friends and another 200 people. The bar selection is not the most diverse, but it covers all the basics. If you're after food, what about Kangaroo meatballs braised in tomato & olive sugo or chorizo stuffed chicken breast? Try coffee merengue with hazelnut & Khalua cream for dessert for a full buzz of energy.
Verdict: A
London Tavern Hotel
238 Lennox Street, Richmond
94286894

Lentils as Anything - Vegetarian - Abbostford Convent

There's gourmet food, fast food and food for the soul. At Lentils as anything you'll be introduced to a pay-as-you-feel philosophy where regarless of what you pay, you will be welcomed and treated as another person part of this magic community. The menu varies regularly. It can include pumkin or eggplant curry, lentil and rocket or spinach and beetroot salad or even japanese pancakes. You may also find owner Shanaka around all three restaurants, perhaps playing the bongos or helping out in the kitchen. Best thing is, anyone is welcome to do so!

Verdict: A-PLUZ

Lentils as Anything

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford. Also in St.kilda @ 41 Belssington St. & Footscray @ 233 Barkley St.

(03) 9419 6444

Supper Market - Food, Music, Art - Abbotsford

Some say a city is known by it's markets. As a hub for food and fresh produce, markets have become a melting pot of home cooks, food lovers and magic talent. Every Friday night during summer, the Abbotsford Convent becomes an epicentre for families and neighbours to get together and share the talent. You'll find amazing beer from Artic Fox, a micro brewery in Dandenong, spicy herbed Argentinian chorizos, home-made samosas and a number of stalls with local artwork. Music varies from Latin American Folk and salsa to Blues and Jazz. There's also the convent's eateries including Lentils as Anything, Convent Bakery and Boiler Room. Just another good reason why summer is the best season of the year!

Verdict: A-PLUZ

Supper Market at Abbotsford Convent

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Cherry Tree Hotel - Pub Food - Richmond

Hidden in a back street in the middle of industrial Richmond, there's a pub that will impress more than the average worker. Walking into the Cherry Tree Hotel will probably make you think you're walking into a stylish, modern apartment. As you discover the bar and the lineup of more than a dozen unique brews and drops, you'll know this isn't the average pub. The menu is also trendy with things to share like mini burgers served with fat chips, a cheese platter and a range of gourmet pizzas. Add some groovy tunes and you'll find hard to leave this tree.
Verdict: A
Cherry Tree Hotel
53 Balmain Street, Richmond
94285743

Royal Derby Hotel - Pub Food - Fitzroy

It seems strange for pubs to just recently include the magic connection of drinking beer under a sunny blue sky into their premises. The coutyard at the Royal Derby Hotel is almost a guarantee of blissfullness after that first sip of beer. The $5 pizza menu include fresh, soft -yet thick- crispy base with ingredients like tomato, spicy pork sausages, fior di latte, rocket and shaved parmesan. The mains menu can be a bit odd with a mix of curries, nachos, falafel wraps, parmas and cannelloni, but once again, it's all about the courtyard!
Verdict: A
Royal Derby Hotel
446 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
94172321

Kanzaman - Lebanese - Richmond

Lebanese food is perhaps the most popular and well known out of all the Middle Eastern cuisines. To the advantage of Melbournians, that means we know how amazing hummus, tabouleh and falafel can be. The disadvantage for restaurants is that it’s not easy to impress their customers. Belly dancing, wall paintings and Lebanese decorations enhance customer’s experience at Kanzaman along with a few dishes such as Ashtarout served with cinnamon rice.

Verdict: A-MINUS

Kanzaman

458 Bridge Road, Richmond

94293402

Union Hotel Brunswick - Pub Food - Brunswick

The importance of a good local pub can be the difference between having an obscure knowledge and distanced relationship to your neighbours and being part one of the closest and most entertaining, but secret communities. The Union Hotel is equipped to keep you and your comrades well entertained with regular local live music, an Asian decorated, partly covered - and heated - courtyard and a concealed location. And when it comes to the food, you won’t be disappointed! Try zucchini fritters with - oh-yum! - Tabasco aioli to share. There’s also a good selection of beers on tap and a generous wine list to surprise wine drinkers.

Verdict: A-PLUZ

Union Hotel Brunswick

109 Union Street, Brunswick

93882235

Sichuan House - Sichuan Chinese - City

Get ready! As soon as the food arrive, you will be bombarded with an army of chillies and Sichuan peppercorns, all cooked in chilli oil. It doens't really matter what you order, Sichuan House will put your mouth on fire and propel you to a new level of spicyness. Apart from an essential beer, there's no way to cease the fire as you won't be able to put your chopsticks down until the food is finished. By the time you finished, you will have discovered a new ongoing craving.

Verdict: A PLUZ

Sichuan House

22-26 Corrs Lane, City

96508589