lunchosaurus -

Feb

The Tramway Hotel, North Fitzroy

Where:165 Rae Street, NorthFitzroy

When: Tues-Fri from 4pm, Weekends from midday

CC and EFTPOS

Veg and Vegan friendly

Dine-in

Contact: (03) 9489 6100

It’s no secret that Melbournites love their pubs, and amongst the leafy streets of North Fitzroy there’s nearly one on every corner. The Tramway Hotel is one of many historic watering holes in the area, with the building dating back to the 1960’s. The veneer hasn’t changed much but I would bet the food has. Their main deal is the Burger Bar, which while it may not seem very interesting, is far more innovative and high quality than that chewy old $25 parma you had the other night. Practically everything on Tramway’s burger menu has something special about it, whether it be fried haloumi or sriracha (spicy Thai sauce) mayo. For the Traditionalists there are steak sandwiches and classic burger combinations. While for our vego and vegan friends there are delicious options like Quinoa and Hummus or the Portabello Mushroom burgers. If the choice is all too much, and I can understand why, then rock up on a Tuesday and get the Tramway or Quinoa Burger for a mere $12. Then spend that money you saved on a beer; the range is impressive.

As well as burgers, The Tramway does share plates, salads and a few select Mains too. I settled on the burger special; a Pulled Pork Sandwich ($18) which promised…slow cooked barbecue pork shoulder teased from the bone, topped with coleslaw, tomato, Spanish onion, Cos lettuce and aioli, served with a side of Napoleone apple cider chutney and chips. In the flesh (mind the pun) the burger proved itself worthy of its gorgeous description. While not mentioned above, the chips (wedges I’d say) were by far the best I’ve had in an age. “Bay and rosemary salt” might just be why. The cider chutney; sweet and aromatic with cinnamon set off the honey-smoked flavour of the pork, while a bitey, garlicky coleslaw completed the picture.

Pulled Pork Sandwich ($18)

My dining partner opted for the Lamb and Haloumi Burger ($18), so brace yourself for another mouth-watering description; Char-grilled lamb and burghul pattie, topped with grilled haloumi, almondnaise, lemon and mint yogurt, tomato, Cos lettuce, Spanish onion and chips. While it’s very hard to go wrong with grilled haloumi, this burger earns bonus points for blending the lamb with burghul for a really soft, wholesome texture. All burgers come in La Madre buns, although to be honest I’m not sure what the fuss is there. It is good to know however that they’re also available gluten free. Just make sure staff don’t clear your plates before you’re finished, they were a bit handsy with us and we lost some of those amazing rosemary wedges in the process.

Lamb and Haloumi Burger ($18)

Apart from really exciting burgers, The Tramway Hotel has a lot to offer in terms of atmosphere. While it is definitely a pub, it doesn’t have that dingy vibe. The large windows let in floods of light, which sheen from the polished floors and clean tables. At the time the music was upbeat, indie-folk, and the staff sort of are too. It’s a very friendly sort of place where you could bring a friendly friend and do friend things. Like play Monopoly or Scrabble, both of which are available at a coffee-table by the door.

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 3.5/5

Ambiance: 4/5

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Apr

Julio, North Fitzroy

Where: Cnr Miller and Ida Streets North Fitzroy

Contact: (03) 9489 7814

When: Daily 7:30-4pm

Dine-in/Take-away

Pricing: Mains under $15

Payment: Cash

Vego :) :)

Even if you’re not old enough to get the Paul Simon reference, Julio still comes off as a clever little café. There’s a carefully thought-out feeling of serenity in the homely corner-shop location. On a sunny day the light filters in through the open windows and doors and warms the sleepy wooden furnishings. It feels a bit like your cool Aunty’s sunny lounge room, complete with old cat sleeping on the chairs (I’m not sure if he/she’s a resident or visitor). The staff have a very low-key, friendly approach but are still happy to make recommendations and provide helpful menu information, should you feel like stalling them for some reason.

The food is hit and miss as I will endeavour to explain, but one thing that you can count on is the consistently high quality of the ingredients. Special care is taken to ensure food is primarily organic, fresh and free range. Where things start to slide is when your order begins to rely on excellent chef-work rather than just good produce. For example I ordered the special which consisted of poached eggs, toast and a handmade rosti in a tomato sauce. It was incredibly bland all over; the rosti was a dry lump of unseasoned potato, even its crispy shell offered no flavour. The tomato sauce was again mono-flavoured which did the mildness of the poached eggs no justice. Also a failure was the tortilla (Spanish omelette) which lacked flavour and texture all over. Chances are you’ll be quite cranky after spending $12.50 on these underwhelming eggs and tomato.

However it isn’t all bland and overpriced… usually when I visit I order the bizarrely named ‘bikini’ which is basically just a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, but it blows me away every time. It is completely delicious because of the quality of the ham, cheese and bread. I’m pretty sure there are lashings of melted butter involved also. This little meal is really where Julio shines, with simple ingredients simply put together, it is consistently excellent every time I order it. The size is also acceptable, with plenty to enjoy it‘s $7.80 well spent. I order it with a pot of tea which is generously oversized, capable of three big cups for $4.50. However, be warned that despite what The Age tells you, the coffee is not the best in Melbourne. Although well put-together, its as weak as a little baby.

For the sweet-fiend there is also a quaint selection of little cakes which look good, although I never have room for them after breakfast, which may be good or bad depending on how you see it. If someone out there does have room for the cakes at Julio I would be very interested to hear how they went.

Julio is worth your time but it is important to keep it simple for both your tastebuds and your wallet. Otherwise you could end up paying $40 for two breakfasts and coffees like a sucker. I know because it happened to me.

Food: 3/5

Service: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

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