If you want ambiance and decor then the Green Field Asia Restaurant is not for you.  This lack of atmosphere makes the first impression a bit bleak on an overcast, raining and chilly day in Melbourne.

There were a number of people inside who had escaped the rain and this gave the rather cavernous space a happy buzz.  Our table near the front and the window was cleared of detritus from the previous occupants and we sat down to study the menu.  The menu is much like any other Vietnamese eating place – Vietnamese with touches of other areas of Asia.

We ordered:-

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Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Tofu, vegetables and Mongolian sauce.

Chicken Curry

Honey Chicken – this dish was superb.

What makes this cafe/restaurant a standout is the freshness of the ingredients, their claim on the menu that they don’t use MSG  and the price for the quality of the food.

The food can take  sometime to arrive at your table.  After a bit of a wait we realized this was because there was a great trade in take-away and our order was in the queue.  If you want take-away my suggestion is to ring first and order.   I also wonder if you planned to eat in and know the menu whether it is worth ringing and placing an order.

It is a good place for lunch if you are in the area or work near with most dishes priced at about $7.50 including rice.  The spring rolls were 5.00

They have Pad Thai on the menu.  One of my favourites.  I’ll try that next time and I am told that the salt and pepper squid is good.

Where:-
Green Field Asia Restaurant
378 Sydney Rd
Brunswick Phone 9380 822

Hours:-
Monday to Friday  12.30 to 3.00pm & 5.00pm to 10.00pm
Saturday          12.30 to 3.00pm & 5.00pm to 11.00pm
Sunday closed for lunch opens for dinner 5.30pm to 10.30pm

Getting there:-
Tram no 19 – the restaurant is on the right just before Albert Street and the ANZ Bank
Car There is one hour parking in Brunswick Street

Related posts:

1. Cafe Saigon, Victoria Avenue, Albert Park
2. Antalya Restaurant Turkish food on Sydney Road in Coburg.
3. Cakes and ice cream – the GeloBar, East Brunswick

The Gelobar at 47 Lygon Street, East Brunswick is the place to start.  It is also the place to end – a visit there and you won’t need to try anywhere else.

You’ll leave there with a grin on your face.   And if you are someone who lets guilt take over you’ll be asking yourself . ‘Why was I so tempted? Why did I have that last cake?’

The reason you had that last cake was because the first was so delicious and your eyes wandered back to the display.  The other reason would be the cost.  Who can resist a creamy delight such as a ‘creamy choc-vanilla cannoli’  for only $2.80.  The coffee is good too.  Your guilt maybe because you can’t resist an ice cream before you leave.

This narrow cafe/shop has been around for a few years and in the summer the queue for ice cream can be out onto the street. It is colder now (mid-May) and although the display of ice cream is eye-gabbing the temperature outside makes cake and coffee a more obvious choice.

It’s the food and value for money that you go for not the decor.  The interior decoration belongs to the style ‘we-have-some-tables-and-chairs-we’ll-put-them-out’ – very basic – with a red plastic fly curtain at the entrance.  That’s half its charm.  And you are there for your stomach and a taste sensation. The decor doesn’t matter.

Gelobar, 74 Lygon Street Brunswick East, is north of the familiar Lygon Street café and restaurant hub at Carlton.

Grab the Number 8 tram.  The Gelobar is just above Brunswick Street  on your right – about stop 122 .  It’s on the corner of Philip Street.

They are open from mid-morning to late at night.  Ring 9388 1419 to check opening hours

Related posts:

1. Cakes and coffee at the Special Cake Shop – Chapel Street, Prahran
2. Railway antiques, restored furniture, coffee and cakes at the Albert Park Station.
3. Batch for Breakfast? Head to Clarlisle Street East St Kilda