Burnt Ramen from Gogyo, Sydney & Melbourne
Not your usual bowl of tonkatsu, Gogyo (located in both Melbourne and Sydney) serves up piping hot bowls of kogashi (burnt miso) ramen - made through igniting the miso paste in a wok, then pouring chicken broth over the top to create a rich broth. Then it is served with chashu pork, veggies and a soy egg, resulting in velvety, smokey goodness.
Steak Frites at the Electra House Hotel, Adelaide
This take on a French classic is a favourite at the Electra House Hotel. Try out the iconic Steak Frites – Angus Porterhouse topped with creamy cafe de Paris butter with a side of thin-cut fries. If you’re feeling fancy, you can swap out the fries for duck fat potatoes. Pair it with a glass of Pinot Noir and call it a night.
Cacio E Pepe from Buffalo Dining Club, Sydney
Nothing is better than a bowl of pasta. Buffalo Dining Club’s Cacio E Pepe is simply served with truffle, parmesan, salt and pepper and parsley. The best part? It’s delivered to your table in a whole wheel of pecorino!
Chilli Margherita Naan Pizza from Daughter in Law, Melbourne
‘Unauthentic’ Indian is Jessi Singh’s specialty. Hailing from Punjab, India, his signature restaurant ‘Daughter In Law’ is full of surprises. The Chilli Margherita Naan is exactly what it sounds like – flakey, crispy Naan bread served up with a layer of cheese and chili oil for an Indian take on a margherita pizza.
Cauliflower from Miznon, Melbourne
An icon on the menu, the whole (yes, whole) roasted Cauliflower from Miznon is delectable. Simply prepared, it calls for salt, olive oil and a whole roasted cauliflower – the end result is a buttery, moreish veggie pile that is perfect for stuffing into one of their housemade pitas. Don’t forget to add a layer of their homemade tahini sauce, too.
Truffle, Pork, and Fennel Gnocchi from 1889 Enoteca, Brisbane
1889 Enoteca’s perfect pillowy goodness is one of their bestsellers, which is no surprise when it is topped with truffle tapenade, handmade pork and fennel sausage, and Parmigiano cream. Pair it with a crisp glass of Shiraz and you’re all set.
Breakfast Carbonara from Morning After (Brisbane)
Usually saved for dinner time, Morning After’s Breakfast Carbonara is a highly-coveted Italian-style dish featuring handmade pappardelle, topped with pancetta, mushrooms, manchego and a 63-degree egg. Don’t forget to leave room for a coffee too.
Lobster Katsu Sando from Honto https://honto.com.au/, Brisbane
Honto is one of Brisbane’s best-kept secrets - you’ll have to walk through another bar to get there. Once you’re inside, you’ll find an extensive cocktail menu and a great array of bar snacks. Our favourite? The crispy lobster katsu sandos, served on soft white bread, creamy dill slaw and salted green cabbage - the perfect pick-me-up.
Marinated Heirloom Tomato (part of their six-course, four-course or two course menus) from Wildflower (Perth)
Wildflower takes fine-dining to the next level with their intricate and locally-sourced dishes. The iconic Heirloom Tomato dish is a part of all three of their menus and is paired with mozzarella, native lemongrass and ginger for a zingy appetiser. Plus, the rest of the menu is incredible too, which is no surprise considering they have won many accolades, including two chef’s hats in The Good Food Guide.
Caramelized Kangaroo, Sesame Soy Custard, and Peanuts from The Standard, Perth
The Standard is a great hidden gem in Northbridge, even offering three courses and a glass of wine on weekdays for $55! An iconic dish on the menu is their Caramelized Kangaroo, which is served with Sesame Soy Custard, Pineapple, Coriander and Peanuts. Make sure you pair it with a glass of Chardonnay to bring out the umami in the custard.
Which one sounds the most delicious? Let us know in the comments.