Melbourne Chat

Hello everyone. I'm an American visiting Melbourne on a somewhat extended business trip. I've been here for a month now and will be here for another three weeks before heading home for Christmas, only to return in early January.



I've really fallen in love with the city, it's vibrant and full of life and despite a lot of complaints I hear about the public transport here on other forums, I really have to say it's quite world class and well run (I've used it a lot since coming here).



One thing I've noticed about the CBD (where I'm staying and working) is that while there are tons of restaurants, they are really hit or miss. If anyone can suggest good places to dine, it would be much appreciated. I pretty much enjoy anything that doesn't live in the water <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Also, I would kill for a decent Mexican restaurant, the two I've tried (Taco Bill's and Coyote Cafe) have been both rather atrocious and while yes I do understand that Australia is lacking in fine Mexican cooks there's always hoping. <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



While I'm here I'm basically looking for folks to chat with either interactively or not. Work decorum keeps me from earning much in the way of friends at the office and I'd like to keep my mind occupied with discussions ranging from science to politics to pretty much whatever. <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Finally, kudos to the site operator. Having lurked here several times before this post, I can say that the "vibe" is laid back, relaxed, and without pretense. That's a rarity in the online world.



Don, from Atlanta.

g'day don! thanks for the kind words!



here are a couple of eating places in the city that i like.



i like "red pepper" on bourke st (indian food). It is very cheap and nice food.



i also like "saigon inn" (Liverpool St) near china town. Vietnamese food. Prices went up a little. Still moderately priced. I like their mongolian beef dish! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



if your like pizza then "cafe on bourke" is quite good. (50 bourke st)



that is all i can think of at the moment. I don't eat out that often. there are also a few good yum cha (chinese) places on little bourke st but i forget their names. i think one is called "shark fin".



i hope you have a terrific time in melbourne!



all the best, glen <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

G'day,



I've eaten at Cafe on Bourke quite a bit since it's around the corner from the hotel I'm staying at. It's okay but the only pizza I've had there so far has been the Aussie Pizza and eggs on pizza is still very much a foreign concept for me.



I'll give the other places you've mentioned a try. Chinatown is also very close and while I've eaten at several of the places there I don't think I've tried any of the ones you have mentioned.



I'll be here for another month and then come back in early January for 2-3 more months so I'll have plenty of time to try these places out.



Don

i never had egg on pizza! i usually just go for super supreme or a mild mexican pizza <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[quote name='glen' post='3675' date='Nov 26 2007, 12:31 PM']i never had egg on pizza! i usually just go for super supreme or a mild mexican pizza <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote]



Well it tastes about as weird as it sounds. They basically take some eggs, crack them right on top of the pizza and then throw the entire concoction into the oven.



Unfortunately (at least with the one I had), the egg doesn't always cook all of the way through so there are runny bits mixed in with the cooked bits.



Makes you wonder how well the toppings get baked. <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



For lunch today I had the lasagna at Cafe on Bourke, some of the best lasagna I've ever had!



Don

hi don, good to hear their other dishes are good. i never ventured past pizza and beer <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> that indian place i mentioned called red pepper is just a couple of doors down the street from cafe on bourke.



they have this weird white milky-looking drink that everyone is guzzling down like crazy. it tastes like salty yogurt. i quite like it, but i don't think it would appeal to everyone.

[quote name='glen' post='3678' date='Nov 26 2007, 06:46 PM']hi don, good to hear their other dishes are good. i never ventured past pizza and beer <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> that indian place i mentioned called red pepper is just a couple of doors down the street from cafe on bourke.



they have this weird white milky-looking drink that everyone is guzzling down like crazy. it tastes like salty yogurt. i quite like it, but i don't think it would appeal to everyone.[/quote]



I've had the salty yogurt stuff before. It's certainly weird and it's not something I would drink day to day but it does help a lot when you've been eating hot Indian food. The fat content in the yogurt helps remove the molecules that cause the hot sensations on the tongue. Milk is also a good alternative for hot foods.

ah ok. well i imagine that the other customers were ordering food that was much hotter than me and that explains why they were drinking that white drink by the jug!



most of the customers were indian which i guess says the food must be good!



cheers, glen <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />