City of Melbourne offers a vast array of delectable eats
Melbourne hosts a collection of diverse enclaves, and food is definitely a uniting factor in each one. With experimental flavors and unconventional concepts implemented into the cooking, food provides an experience beyond refueling. Eating becomes adventuring.
I was first made aware of the experiences I could have with food during my first brunch in Melbourne. I have always enjoyed brunch, but brunch in Melbourne is not just a meal — it’s a way of life. Restaurant and cafe hours reflect just how much emphasis is placed on the meal: the majority of cafes open at 7 a.m. and close by 4 p.m.
Each district of town, whether it be the Central Business District, Fitzroy, Carlton, Prahran or St. Kilda provides eateries with unique takes on the meal that reflect the environment. In Fitzroy, a haven for hipsters, one can find cafes boasting vegan and gluten-free options, along with fusion menus that require dictionaries. In the pedestrian streets of CBD, urbanites gather in long lines between work at brasseries with outdoor seating, provided weather permits.
Presentation is an important element in the Melbourne food scene. The architecture and distinct décor of eating areas reflect the emphasis placed on the environment surrounding the food. Even the food court in the mall has spectacular high ceilings with dangling lights and an industrial and modern atmosphere.
The same painstaking attention given to the physical appearance of the establishment is given to the food. I have seldom come across an unattractive plate — in fact, around 75 percent of the photos I have taken are of food. The combination of flavors in a plate — celeriac purée with field mushrooms, tomato and potato frittata with saffron aioli, sautéed kale with za’atar and fried eggs, to name a few — only enhance the overall experience.
The experimental nature of food can be most accurately described by the epic hot chocolates found throughout Melbourne. Nestle and Hershey’s are not even considered here, where even drinking hot chocolate, a sweet way to warm up without over-caffeinating, can be a process. Some methods of making the drink are as simple as pouring warm chocolate over a cloud of fairy floss, while others include changing the chocolate’s state of matter by melting it gradually into steamed milk. Several places feature infused hot chocolates, including combinations with peanut butter, Nutella, salted caramel, chili and other flavors that complement chocolate in a satisfying and surprising manner.
Dessert in general encourages a new level of nuance in the culinary experiments. Almost every eatery boasts a distinct sweet offering, whether that means incorporating marshmallow in four different forms, shoving plastic syringes of chocolate ganache into ice cream cones or stuffing croissants with lychee and raspberry conserve.
The dessert competition and continuing movement toward innovation effectually drove Australia into a Nutella shortage. The main culprit is not my personal consumption, but rather the raging popularity of Nutella filled doughnuts, which have even made appearances in convenience markets.
Food in Melbourne truly presents a reflection of the Melbourne way of life. Eating is an event, a means to take you on a cultural or gastronomic journey. Along with the emphasis on brunch culture, Melbourne provides a hub that celebrates internationalism. In the mall food court, the overwhelming options are tantalizing; journeys to Malaysia, India, China, Greece, Italy, Korea and more are all within reach. The food is mirrored in the people living in the city, as it’s common to hear different languages buzzing around at any point during the day. The city is covered with scattered corridors that serve as epicenters for different cultures. Even walking down central streets, it is hard to avoid restaurants that serve photogenic food.
The markets throughout the city feed into the food culture as well. Buying groceries from the market is a weekly staple in the Melbourne lifestyle. The market, though, provides more than just vendors in produce and the delicious smell of baked goods in the early morning. The market is the gathering spot for families on a Sunday, as children run around petting chickens for sale while parents enjoy their coffees. In the summer and winter, it features food vendors at night, serving a variety of delights, including soups in bread bowls, while people twirl around in a silent disco. The market is a collection of Melbourne’s diversity — it’s where a one-man band stands across from a woman dressed like a lizard on stilts.
So, when people ask what food is distinctly characteristic of Melbourne, I would say it’s a cross section between all the foods of the world, especially that of South East Asia and Greece. The combination of eccentric and provincial takes on simple foods make it safe to say that eating has become an integral part in my stay here thus far.
Nika Shahery is a junior majoring in international relations and planning, policy and development. Her column, “Aussie Adventure,” runs every Thursday.