Louisiana Cajun in Melb

What: My Mexican Cousin
Where: Corner of Sturt St & Southbank Boulevard, Southbank, Melbourne

First thing you must know before going here is that it is not Mexican food. It is Louisiana style Cajun food – i.e. inspired by the USA southern traditions and flavor palate.

Drinks

• Delas Cotes du Rhone, "Saint Esprit" Rouge ('09' Northern Rhone, FRA)

Entrees

• Crispy fried chicken wings w/ coriander and blue cheese (I was glad the coriander was just a garnish - since I think it is out of place with this dish. However, the chicken was fried just right, and spiced to Cajun perfection)
• Season yourself soft shell crab w/ aioli, watermelon, chili, ginger and mint salsa (I loved the crab, and the Cajun salt to self season was great, wonderfully complemented by the salsa. The presentation of the dish in a shell was clever, but the aioli was nonexistent - only a bit in the salsa the chef said, but honestly I did not notice it - but not needed anyways).
• The "po boy" - with the flavour of the day for us being was chicken gravy (not really Louisiana inspired - and I would know my family is from the deep south - but very good. The reason I say this is because a real po boy is not on a crispy baguette).

Mains

• Beef ribs with red cabbage slaw, jus and cress (dry roasted beef ribs, which fell of the bone - very tender and juicy - delicious and with a seasoned dry rub - very yummy)

Dessert

• Pecan pie cream brulee with banana compote and sable (really three desserts: a sable, compote and brulee - but the brulee was amazing, with dollops of pecan paste in it - superb)
• Beignets, with salted caramel, Chantilly cream and strawberries (how could I ever pass by salted caramel on a menu- especially when you have Beignets to dip in it (Beignets are like a cinnamon donut from the Deep South - French origin originally though), however these were not a classic New Orleans beignet, but very tasty regardless).

Review:
The whole meal was fantastic (great atmosphere, food and service), but definitely a shock if you were expecting Mexican food. While not 100% true to Louisiana style Cajun food – a very nice adaptation.

However – one small thing – if you are going to have Beignets, and call yourself a Louisiana style restaurant, you really need to have been to Café du Monde, the home of New Orleans Beignets (located in the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA).

Lush

Three Bags Full

What: Three Bags Full
Where: 60 Nicholson Street  Abbotsford VIC 3067

My Order:

• Skinny Latte
• One Big Breakfast: eggs, bacon, tomato, spinach, cheese kransky, tomato relish + toast

I had hollandaise added to my meal - since after all I was saving calories by having skinny lattes (either way, nothing like welcoming that early heart-attack)

Review: The breakfast was literally huge, but very delicious, perfect for the morning after a big night out, especially if your eyes are beginning to feel like lemons. The line outside can seem intimidating, but we put our name on the list and fifteen minutes later we had a table - definitely worth the wait.

Lush

Wagyu & Truffled Eggs

What: The Paragon

Where: 651 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North VIC 3054

Dinner:

After eating a bit too much popcorn at the movies last Friday night, two of us decided to go out to dinner – and where better to eat in Melbourne than Rathdowne Street. Since we were not quite hungry enough to get a main, but still needed some real food, we settled on three entrées to share (and of course a few glasses of wine: the Manawa Pinot Noir, Marlborough NZ was great value for money)

Our order:

• Potato and fontina cheese tart with sautéed mushrooms (buttery and filling)
• Pan seared scallops with cotechino sausage, confit tomato and cauliflower purée (fantastic, with very well balanced flavours)
• Wagyu brescola with truffled egg and witlof (my favourite dish of the night; a taste sensation! It was a special for that night, so you might not be able to try it on your visit- sorry guys L ).

The Wagyu dish reminded me very strongly of the award winning Movida Cecina dish (Air- dried Wagyu with Poached Egg and Truffle Foam), so don’t despair head on down to Movida opposite Fed Square to try it out.

Review: The Paragon was definitely a great place to eat, either for a light dinner or a full meal. The lighting, ambience and friendly staff were just what the doctor ordered after a long week at work.

NOTE - they would not scale down their main meal size when we asked, so if you want a light dinner I suggest not reading the mains on the menu or you will be tempted by something you can’t have such as the Pork Duo).

Lush