My ultimate comfort food

The last week has probably been my coldest in Melbourne so far. In light of this, I have found myself day-dreaming about big steaming bowls of pasta - my ultimate comfort food. Well, I will use any excuse to cook for friends on a Friday night! I wanted to cook something delicious but easy, so I decided on a simple spinach & ricotta tortellini with bacon, garlic, chilli, passata and spinach, and finished off with a good handful of fresh basil and a sprinkling of parmesan. One of my guests was actually a chef and was very impressed with my efforts, so I felt pretty happy with myself! This tortellini is my idea of the perfect comfort food for a cold and rainy night and the perfect company for swapping silly stories and plenty of wine! Sometimes absolutely nothing beats a home-cooked meal.

Cafe Qube

Station Street in Fairfield was the dinner destination last night. As a newcomer to the area, I was left guessing what type of cuisine Cafe Qube would have to offer. I was first to arrive and was seated by our lovely waitress at a cosy table by the fireplace. The red-brick walls and warm interiors exuded a welcoming vibe and I felt immediately relaxed. Once the other girls had arrived we barely exchanged hello's before cracking open a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc to wind down from a hectic Friday and help us relax just that little bit more!

Image courtesy of: www.cafeqube.com

I will be honest - on first impressions, Qube's dinner menu didn't blow my mind - it was very big (which I don't like because I'm so indecisive) and the options for Mains sounded relatively mediocre and unoriginal. However, not one quick to judge, I hoped for the best and chose a penne marinara with extra chilli to spice things up on a brisk Autumn evening. Z ordered a pesto cream agnolloti, V chose the lamb shanks and A decided on the Moroccan chicken. All our meals were absolutely massive portions and my pasta in particular was insanely huge, with virtually half a crab sticking out the side! The best part was - every meal was good. Really good. My penne marinara had just the right amount of napoli to coat the pasta without drowning it in overpowering tomato richness. The subtle olive oil and chilli flavours complemented the generous helping of crab, prawns, scallops and mussels tossed with perfectly al dente penne. What could be better than a seemingly lacklustre menu selection proving to be a refreshingly wonderful surprise? It was simple, classic, comfort food cooked well.


Qube is unpretentious and doesn't try to be anything it's not. Don't go there expecting to take your taste buds on a gastronomic adventure through uncharted territory, because you will be disappointed. Go there on a cold night with a big group of friends and an even bigger appetite and cosy up by the fire with a glass of vino and a hearty meal - there will be something sure to satisfy everyone's Friday night craving.

Cafe Qube Resaurant & Bar
127 Station Street
Fairfield
VIC
Ph: 9482 2226

The usual place

Last Saturday night was treat night. A 9pm Comedy Fest show was decided on and my good friend (a fellow Brisbanite-turned-Melburnian) and I decided to visit another friend, who had been encouraging me to come and check out her work. I was initially hesitant when I was told there was essentially only pasta on the menu, because I tend to be stuck in the mindset that I can cook any old pasta at home whenever I want. However, when we arrived at il Solito Posto - a locals' favourite - tucked away down in the basement off George Parade - I swiftly realised this was not going to be "any old pasta". A few steps down into the softly-lit bistro and I am already at home: I can sense instantly that this will fast become a favourite. As the Italian name "il Solito Posto" suggests, this is likely to become "the usual place". Unfortunately in the English language, the word "usual" tends to conjure up notions of "common", which I feel is somewhat of an inadequate description of this hidden treasure.

Once inside, we were greeted by professional, friendly staff and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. We were seated in a cosy corner at the bar - the only free space in the restaurant when we arrived - and perused the menu while we began a bottle of 2009 Christmont La Zona Pinot Grigio from King Valley. Shortly after ordering, we were able to move to a more comfortable spot at a table in the corner. After much ooh-ing and aah-ing, K decided on the Gnocchi Della Casa (truffled honey and pecorino gnocchi, almond flake and rosemary burnt butter) and I ordered the Fusilli Amatriciana (spirals of pasta with pancetta, chilli, onion and napoli).

To follow, we were spoiled with a complimentary dessert: warm soft-centered chocolate gnocchi with baci ice cream to share. It looked like a work of art and though absolutely stuffed full from our mains, it didn't take much convincing for us to scrape the plate clean.

The food was simply incredible. Every mouthful savoured and each one divine. But I won't even attempt to do this place justice with elaborate descriptions. All I can say is: go there. Tonight. Eat pasta, drink and be merry.

il Solito Posto
Basement, 113 Collins Street (entry on George Parade)
Melbourne
03 9654 4466
VIC