• Seamstress (Melbourne)

Pass the hanging cheongsam in the narrow cafe’s window and head up the rustic wooden stairs of the 120-year-old former textile factory to the first floor.  This level houses an established restaurant, the top floor turns bar at night. Seamstress has built a name for itself since opening in 2007.

The set lunch includes two courses and a glass of wine for $35.  The wine today was a Yalumba Roussanne, red was a Pinot Noir, well liked by my lunch buddy.  The Roussanne held a fruity edge but was overall mineral.  I enjoyed it and it complimented my first dish.

As a vegetarian, wontons are rare.  These were done in the traditional style with traditional skins but were filled with very sweet potato.  A coriander foam gave a certain earthiness in flavour and sophistication in texture.  I really enjoyed this dish.


Mains on the set menu are not vegetarian, but there was no problem choosing a vegetarian main course from al a carte as a substitute.  I opted for the caramelised eggplant.  It was done in a thick red miso sauce making it a heavy dish for one.  There were also a couple of piece of firm tofu.  The flavours and consistency of the eggplant in this dish gave it an intensity.


Dessert can be added and while I declined, the sticky fig pudding looked enticing – although apparently lacked in flavour.

I was impressed with Seamstress.  The food was well-thought-out, interesting and tasty.  The service and space are relaxed but intimate allowing for lovely lunch time conversation.  The weekday lunch is good value and we found the space busy but not full on a Wednesday – make sure you book if you are ever coming on a Friday night.

Seamstress
113 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne 3000
(03) 9663 6363
www.seamstress.com.au

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