Melbourne Psych & Eats

I guess I could somewhat sum up my Melbourne experience similar to my experience of Asian psychiatry conference whilst I was there; eye-opening but not too surprising.

Coming to an Asian psychiatry conference seems like a big jump from my medical journey, not that I can't handle the highly technical info, but more like I'm the youngest medical student that other attractive Asian psychiatrist kept flirting on. I guess being a graduate from Australia or NZ does have its own prestige. There were no other medical student I could identify there, so everyone calls everyone else 'doctor'.

I was minisculy reluctant to come back to my favourite city in the world, Melbourne. I was traumatised from the last incident I was here; the tram incident. I was searching for a guitar shop about 5 years ago. I asked the information desk from the central train station in town about how to get there. The man was helpful and even said which ticket I should purchase. So I did.

Little did I know that the shop is located between 2 zones of tram fees allocation. When the tram passed the zone, a tram-officer-concealed-in-civilian-clothes revealed himself in the cart and asked about my ticket. I had the wrong ticket. I was trying to explain my situation and why I purchased that ticket. I also explained that I was a tourist with my passport and NZ medical school card. Annoyingly, the officer didn't believe me, especially with my natural OZ-NZ accent. Why? Well, I have this thing that I always tour around the world looking like a student - jeans, indie tops and satchel. It serves me well in Europe from the scam artist, muggers or rip-offs. Unfortunately, that day I was stopped in front of Macquire University. Then, the officer tried to confirm my background, I gave him my cousin's number. My cousin, who is a Melbournian, loved to make excuses and lies to tram officers. She automatically lied on the phone that I was an Australian University student, whilst I only wanted her to tell the truth. That didn't serve me well; fined $250AUD from a lie that my cousin told with her good intention.

There you go. My little trauma.
If you don't know me personally, I am pretty damn awesome law-abiding non-permanent resident. I never get a single detention in school. I never have a single ticket for my driving. You get the idea.

Prior to that I visited Melbourne every year. Because... well just like I re-discovered it again this time, Melbourne is a damn best city I ever seen in the world. After my numerous travels to Seoul last year, which left me with an impression of the most romantic place in the world (especially in Autumn), I'd like to take that back and return it to Melbourne. It's not as grandly designed and vintaged like a fine European city, but it's good enough and realistic for me to want to live there. Being a winter lover, Melbourne is at its beauty peak during the chill. I was a little bit disappointed on how warm it was this time. However, the leafless greyish olive-green branches with the grey concrete settings really soothed my soul. I didn't sight-see around much on this visit, 'cos I've been here too many times.

Since I began bloggin', I was really surprised by the number of Melbourne foodie bloggers I've met. Over time, they did feed my ego and cravings in to trying out the Melbourne I have missed out. I would like to extent my huge thank you's to Leaf@ the indolent cook and Viv @ Green Cilantro for the amazing pointers and reminders.

I couldn't try as much restaurants as I wanted but I wasn't left with a feeling of being left-out, because I was surprised as well as a little unimpressed. I don't review restaurants a lot because I just don't, but if you'd like to know a little bit of what I think:

Movida, it's my top place-to-try pending on my mind (thanks to Leaf for the reminder, I almost forgotten). I saw lots of buzz about the place a few years back. It did live up to my expectation. Good service. The food was excellent BUT salty. Sadly disappointed with the paella that was wayyyy tooo salty and with seafood that wasn't fresh. Try the tomato sorbet with anchovies tapas, a definite highlight! 7.2/10(should have been around 9 but the salt was aching).

LuxBite, I guess I'm a little biased as a pastry chef that my Macarons are better. So not overtly wow'ed there. I think they do need more selection to call themselves a dessert place. But definitely try the Watermelon meringue/alaska, it's right up my alley! Service was good. 7.5/10

Hutong Dumpling Bar, my cuz tried to get me in this place on Sunday but the bookings were full until Thursday night. I say 'worth the wait!' Service was excellent for a Chinese restaurant (unsure about the smile the waitress kept giving me, and my cuz told me I should ask her out). Food was up to the standard, and slightly better in some department. Try the pan-fried dumpling, not to shabby for a place in Melbourne! 8.4/10.

ChinChin, it's like no. 1 on urban spoon's hottest place. The service and decor were urban retro with a touch of emo couture and awkward interactions. We had a lot of freebies sitting on the kitchen tables, which were nice - ever nicer than the paid ones maybe. The Asian-to-Asian fusion works somewhat, leaving me with a Malay-Vietnamese impression judging from the mild spiciness and Malaysian (high) level of coconut creaminess. Lets just say I would bring an Asian girl there, but not most Asian parents because they wouldn't get it. Truly disappointing white rice (basic first, fusion second). Despite the excessive coriander for my liking, do try the duck soup! It's awesomely balanced for a fusion. 7.4/10.

Hardware Societe, surprised by how crowded it was during non-office hours (thanks to Viv for letting me know a great brunch joint, really want to try Attica but yeah...). It's set like on a cupcake-like-establishment-in-your-urban-suburb. I couldn't decide what was the best. I am a breakfast person and ate everything so... 7.8/10

My ratings are based on how close it is to one Michelin star in August 2011 (10/10=1 star). Sorry no pictures, I just don't find taking photo as a natural process of my restaurant fine-dining experience. I have eaten in other places but I think this is enough.

My cousin, she is pregnant at the moment. But pregnant or not, my cuz and her hubby are not foodies in simile to a cliche` Asian parents; 'tasteless, small expensive food?!' So I ate mostly with my old friends here.

I think being here this time around gave me an insight into the cause and effect of psychiatric things, especially depression- a little topic I'm keen on. So much inspirations, perhaps I could do a side medical research about food and mood; publish them in a book one day. Also, I am now more confident that being out-of-restaurants for many years, my food skills are still up to scratch for my future culinary aspirations.

I'd like to thank all my Melbourne friends here (hope you all like the best water in the world from NZ). Thanks again to Viv & Leaf for giving me hints for the start of my travel!

Oh by the way!
"Dear Dr Wibawa,
On behalf of Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa District Health Boards, I am pleased to offer you an appointment as a First Year House Officer at Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa District Health Boards..."

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS AND PRAYER!


"And then you called me, and it's not so bad..."-Dido