SOUL FOOD FOR MELBOURNE
Without a doubt, the highlight of the CTS year has been our enjoyment of the Somalian food of Racecourse Road in Flemington.
Even aside from the fabulous food, this has been a joy on other levels.
Not least in the fact that Bennie is as enthusiastic as I, as are various of our friends.
So thank you to #Somalia Eats, House Of Mandi, Deli Afro, Somali Dish and New Somali Kitchen.
There’s one remaining bona fide Somalian joint on the strip yet to be covered by CTS – though I have eaten there several times.
In the coming year!
These Somalian riches mirror, from my perspective and in a distinctively African way, the deep traditions of soul food of the American south – great food and heaps of it, priced right; every day food for every day people.
When, about a month ago, I asked the proprietor of one of these salubrious establishments why he kept his prices so low, he replied:
“Because I want everyone to be able to enjoy our food.”
ALSO ON RACECOURSE ROAD
Of course, the fabulous Flemo strip is about more than Somalian tucker.
In that regard, it’s been a pleasure to partake of the fine Indian goodies on hand at Curry Cafe Canteen.
IN YARRAVILLE
We love, love, love the bo kho (beef stew) at Friend Or Pho – available at weekends only.
This Vietnamese staple is available elsewhere in the west.
But none, in our experience, have the viscous lustre of this rendition.
We steer away from the more daintified and pricey items at Cobb Lane on Anderson Street.
Instead, we adore their humble carrot cake.
So moist, so yummy, such delectably creamy frosting, such a bargain at $5.
In the meantime, our most habitually frequented Yarraville eatery remains the wonderful Pizza d’Asporto.
LEBANESE ON THE LAKE
We are happy that Riviera has brought a happy, bustling Lebanese vibe to Edgewater.
We hope to return soon.
SUNSHINE SOCIAL
A few weeks back, Bennie and I enjoyed a Sunday lunch at Sunshine Social – our first visit there since our initial story.
It was just a regular, non-blogging visit so we didn’t take pics.
I wish we had.
Chicken burger for him, fish burger for me – so wonderful, with great fillings (including slaw) and heaps of beaut chips, at a winning $13.50 each.
We admire the spirit and smarts that have gone into Sunshine Social.
GREEK REVIVAL IN THE WEST
This happy yarn still has a few chapters to be written – not least soon-come opening of Eleni’s in Yarraville.
But it’s been a pleasure, so far, to welcome Meat The Greek and Brother Hood Yiros + Grill to the neighbourhood.
OUR OLD LOCAL GETS A MAKEOVER
Only one visit so far to a once familiar haunt, formerly known as Hart’s Hotel.
But we reckon they’ve done a bang-up job.
OUT OF TOWN
An impromptu swing up the highway resulted in a superb meal at Blackwood Ridge Cafe & Larder.
What a find and what a feed.
COOL CAFES IN THE WEST
We love how so many very fine western suburbs cafes do such a great job by more than matching it with the rest of the city, yet do so by being widely dispersed and working hard to foster local and loyal followings.
This year, we’ve frequented a number of them – sometimes just for coffee, sometimes for something more substantial.
Among them have been Small Graces, the superb sides-as-tapas offerings (above photo) of which are a winning innovation.
Look out for dinner service, coming soon, at this lovely outfit in central Footscray.
We’ve also enjoyed the food and the vibes at Fig & Walnut, Jack B. Nimble and Cheeky Chewies among others.
A special mention for the Usual Joint in Sunshine North.
In more innovative thinking, this place only steps out for more substantial offerings at weekends – and even then, there’s only one dish prepared.
We dig that!
As well, their luscious crepe cakes are very popular – and for good reason.
FESTIVAL TIMES
At the start of 2017, I harboured ambitions to get CTS Feasts – rebranded at the CTS Western Suburbs Food Festival – once again running on a regular basis.
This proved more difficult than anticipated – the alchemy that brings food blogger/journalist, willing/enthusiastic restaurant and keen punters together can be elusive!
Such events are very much part of the ongoing CTS gameplan, but will obviously only happen when these ingredients can be successfully and harmoniously wrangled!
But there was no doubting the outstanding fun and food delivered at the three events that WERE held.
At Searz in Newport (above photo) …
… Sankranti in Footscray and …
… a fund-raiser at Fig & Walnut for Climate For Change.
Thanks very much to everyone who helped and participated.
And see you next year!
Great to read about your highlights. Plenty for me to check out. Have you had any feedback re the new Harley & Rose in Barkly St. Footscray?
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Hi, Bruce! And thanks for reading! Re: Harley & Rose, nothing definite – seen a few pics on FB, but no comments as such. We’ll be checking it out in a few weeks.
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Somalians are changing how we see food in melbourne no doubt,close friends made similar observations to you,American south!
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usual joint is amazing place,many more to try coming days.
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Somalian platter pic looks wonderful,is it new kid in the hood,haven’t seen that dish in hashtag Somali eats or New Somali kitchen
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Lamb shank at House of Mandi. Yum.
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Haven’t Been to that place,is it expensive shanks
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Nope – $15 iirc with all that rice/pasta and soup. Shank was much meatier and more juicy/tender than it looks.
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Super cheap.thanks tips
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Here yesterday with family in #somali eat,ordered bits of everything,gave them tips because it was that good for that price,family is regular no without doubt.the green sauce is nothing I’ve seen,wonderful
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is somalian food too spicy? Ethiopian is too hot
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Some Ethiopian not all,I am ok with hot but my too hot
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Hi Matt! No, Somalian food is not spicy at all. Unless you use the green chilli sauce they provide on the side – but that’s up to you!
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Somalian in melbourne not much different to los Angeles soul,but didn’t see Kay Kay in their menu those places in Flemington.
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Tim, what is Kay Kay?
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https://m.facebook.com/Sahraskitchen/photos/a.127494141154211.1073741828.126979044539054/128220727748219/?type=3&source=54&ref=page_internal
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How to make.video in Somali language sorry. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTs9_66ucnE
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Tim there is one Somali restaurant that do Kay Kay,sapayad with goat/lambs veggie spices it’s called sahras kitchen,it’s not far from other somalian on racecourse rd strip.but while back when I ate that dish
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Tim there is not good Kay kay in melbourne,but we hope you enjoyed the soul in our beautiful city Melbourne before you return back to los Angeles
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Mostly satisfied,very short trip on tram 2 racecourse rd,this place is sick,love it✌👊
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First I want say how happy we are coniderthesauce enjoyed our soul cuisine.
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Thank you hussen,almost all is how I knew in west coast,good soul all round
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The American Kay Kay is slot better with heaps of goat,lamb.but you can still try sahras,there is not much focus Kay Kay in melbourne
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To American dude tim,sahras kitchen is old restaurant,ie may or may not still open.contact them to see if still exist
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It’s very much open!
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Google is wonderful,cam across your blog,thank you for your informative page as well.
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Cts would you be reviewing the Sudanese cafe on racecourse rd,its new cafe?
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Sudanese? News to me. But I haven’t been there since Sunday!
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Khartoum in footscray is good,good to know how it compare
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Where is that!
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Hi Damascus,it’s on racecourse rd.
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Which Somalian would you recommend for first timer like me.
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Hi Rod! Give #Somalia Eats a go!
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Didn’t expect that different to Ethiopian,but the menu is interesting variety
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make a big mistake went without booking but seated within 5 min.they need to expand the area,hard to find seat but was to perfection food to service the #somaliaeats
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Not the kind of place you can actually, or at least effectively, book – which is very true for many of the places covered on this site. A good general rule: If the place you’ve headed to is full, go next door. But, yes, #Somalia Eats is a tiny space. If anything, I’m more inclined these days to head across the road to House of Mandi, as it’s a bit more spacious. I’m glad you liked it!
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I like it a lot, I think I found new favorite,very different to Ethiopian though same region
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kenny have been to kirbu cafe in footscray
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Where and what is that?
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its african cafe on 151-153 nicholson st ,footscray ,kind of take away somali food but do have limited seats
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Do you emean the little place in the arcade?
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No this one across the road from kulan eatery.on same strip Khartoum,but it’s somewhat similar to Somali star chips,sambusa,Somali injera & so on
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Oh ok, I know it but haven’t been in.
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Like many I go for takeaway,never sit inside me too
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These African are open late,interesting night life horse race town
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Any African in north Melbourne?
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In Victorian market are there is Ethiopian
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Most Africans in north Melbourne are in where it joins Fleming & Kensington suburbs.
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Ben, Kensington Flemington and footscray is best place to find African in western Melbourne
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Ta
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Don’t forget sunshine
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Sorry Sally,I was talking about areas with many African
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Find it impossible to find a seat these Somali place,I do get seats house of Mandi but just before it fills.Any time you recommend Mr weir
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For me i settle whichever have space,most of Somali restaurant are open from 12pm ,from 12pm to 2pm you can find seat most Somali cafes and closing times
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