Golden Fields - Melbourne - 2/157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

And so my love affair with Andrew McConnell continues.

This is my second time at Golden Fields. The first time for dinner, we had to wait 2 and a 1/2 hours for a table - apparently 3 is an awkward number and they don't kick people off tables - good when you get one early. Although feeling faint, I did not lose the plot by the time we started eating at 10pm but I did just inhale every bit of food to live.

But it was excellent.  And when we asked for a free vino,  the maitre d Leeroy gladly said yes.

This time we went for a lovely leisurely ladies lunch and no wait because for lunch you can make a reservation.  Good o.

I will talk about the meals at both visits as the menu is generally the same with changes to the salads and mains from time to time.

You have to eat the lobster role not just because it is the signature dish but because the slightly sweet warm bun with cold poached lobster is just perfection.

Next, you must have the twice cooked duck in steamed bread - this for me is the best dish on the menu. Better than any peking duck you will ever have.

Like Cumulus Inc, the oysters are ok but not outstanding so you can take or leave these.

The rolled Berkshire pork belly with white kimchi yuixiang sauce and the soft-shell carb with dragon sauce are also interesting dishes.

Although not always on the menu, if you get the poached chicken with house made rice noodles you will never want to eat rice noodles from the packet ever again - the decision is yours.

Fish here is particularly good.  The first time we tried the flounder with burnt lime and sorrel - seriously the best fish dish I have ever had in my life.

If you feel like meat, then you can't go wrong with the slow-roast lamb shoulder with cumin seed and salted lemon.

All dishes have an Asian twist - Korean, Japanese, Chinese.

I love them all - although the desserts don't excite me (except the peanut butter parfait with salted caramel).

You will never ever cook this food at home and for around $65-$70 per person with wine, I call it great value.



 8.5/10

Adles

Otsumami - Melbourne - 257 High Street, Northcote

This is definitely a North of the river Japanese restaurant - quirky waitresses, mood lighting and not so clinical and efficient.

This is a menu that has most of the Japanese favourites.

We tried way too many dishes for two people. so here are my bullet points on each:

• Eggplant - too much miso
• Sashimi - very good
• Pirikara tiger prawns - perfectly cooked and flavoursome
• Gyoza with chicken and mushroom - a tad chewy and mushroom a bit dry
• Kingfish - fresh and quite good
• Japanese scallops with rice - the best

Overall the food here is decent and better than your average Japanese local. The service is excellent (even if they confuse orders every now and again).

Price is around $100 for two including a glass of wine.

6.5/10

Adles

The Italian - Melbourne - 101 Collins Street, Melbourne

Don't try and be footloose and fancy free on a Friday night. Don't go searching for a restaurant without a reservation otherwise you will end up at The Italian or KFC on Swanston Street.

Look this place is actually good for a business lunch but you don't want the buzz of Macquarie Bank when you are trying to have a relaxing dinner.

I ordered grilled whiting which was very fresh but a tad dry.

My friend ordered beef which was cooked well but too rich.

Just come here for a pasta during the week.

Good wine list. Cost is around $85 for two.

6.5/10

Adles