--- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw's third season airs weeknights on SBS Food at 7.00pm and 10.30pm. Episodes are available after broadcast . See Sofia Levin on The Cook Up on Monday 26 September and Friday 14 October ---
Sofia Levin is a master documenter of food and travel – and especially the two combined. She's the founder of Seasoned Traveller, a culinary travel website that encourages people to step outside of their comfort zones and eat curiously. Whether you're chatting to Levin or watching a video on her website, she has plenty of golden tips for eating in Melbourne and abroad.
Levin's journalistic background means she spends copious amounts of time researching news sites and blogs, paying particular attention to researching less-renowned regional dishes.
When it comes to evaluating online reviews, Levin says venues "with few but highly rated Google reviews, especially in another language, are usually pretty reliable". Other times, Levin throws all that methodology out the window and follows her instincts.
When I get a taste for a cuisine in one of our remarkable, multicultural restaurants, it makes me want to deep dive into the culture.
Levin adores living in Melbourne and the diversity the city offers. "When I get a taste for a cuisine in one of our remarkable, multicultural restaurants, it makes me want to deep dive into the culture – and the best way to that is to head to the source," she says.
"Paradoxically, you could say the fact that food is so good in Melbourne (and Australia) is often the thing that gives me itchy feet, or perhaps itchy tastebuds."
Here is where Levin goes to eat in Melbourne when she feels like travelling.
For cannoli – T Cavallaro & Sons, Footscray
I feel like part of the family when I pop into T Cavallaro & Sons for a cannolo and an espresso.
You'll always encounter Tony, Rosa or their son working here, continuing the tradition from when Tony's father emigrated from Lipari to Melbourne and set up the business in 1956. Having just returned from Sicily, I can put my hand on my heart and say they make the best ricotta cannoli in the world.
For Vietnamese – Co Thu Quan, Richmond
Victoria Street in Richmond is known as Little Vietnam, but Co Thu Quan stands out because there are dishes on the menu here that you won't find anywhere else in Melbourne, and perhaps Australia.
Start with a rice paper salad and step outside your pho comfort zone and order a regional noodle soup.
For Greek – Philhellene, Moonee Ponds
Whenever I share photos of Philhellene on Instagram, a barrage of family and friends demand I take them. It's an incredibly special, family-run Cretan restaurant. Owner John Rerakis harvests produce from his garden while his wife Susie cooks regional specialties with their mums, who have more than 150 years between them. Live music and shots of raki are essential.
For Mexican – La Tortilleria, Kensington
La Tortilleria is both the manufacturer of Australia's best tortillas as well as a suburban taqueria. All the best Mexican restaurants use its tortillas, made using the ancient method of nixtamalisation.
The tacos here are the most similar to what I've eaten in Mexico, but its regional specials, like tacos de birria from Guadalajara, are what excite me the most.
For Japanese – Minamishima, Richmond
I'm yet to find a dining experience anywhere else in Australia that makes me feel more like I'm in Japan. I wouldn't sit anywhere other than the counter in front of Koichi-san, who delivers nigiri, one by one, showcasing seafood that's both local and imported from Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market.
This is a fine-dining splurge, but his omakase is worth every penny.
For Thai – Nana Thai, CBD
Nana Thai specialises in mookata, a distinctive Thai hotpot with a grill for protein that's surrounded by a 'moat'. Broth goes around the edges and you throw in a cracked egg, noodles and vegetables to boil. It's BYO, the kitchen closes at midnight and I love how the electric atmosphere feels more Bangkok than Bourke Street.
For French – France-Soir, South Yarra
A southside favourite since 1986, the energy at France-Soir is palpable. This classic French bistro is for power lunches, champagne and lingering dinners. I adore the sea perch quenelles and steak tartare, and that French-accented waiters rushing by in a waistcoated blur still have time to flirt with your date. Watch out, boys.
For Egyptian – Mizraim, Camberwell
This is without a doubt the most traditional Egyptian restaurant in the country, and one of the few that exists.
Give owner Nick Nicola enough advanced notice and he'll cook any Egyptian dish that takes your fancy. For a very affordable special occasion, I can vouch for whole freekeh-stuffed duck and mombar rice and meat-stuffed sausages.
For Indonesian – Garam Merica, Albert Park
There's more to Indonesian food than nasi lemak, and Garam Merica is a great place to discover the Sumatran side of the cuisine. The signature here is nasi bungkus, fragrant rice with your choice of dishes (such as beef rendang, jackfruit curry and baby squid in ink) neatly wrapped in banana leaf.
For more Japanese – CIBI, Collingwood
CIBI is a Japanese cafe and retail space that I frequent. It's in a lofty, Collingwood warehouse alongside Japanese homewares, groceries and a verdant plant store.
I would much rather eat the traditional Japanese breakfast (with grilled sliced salmon, tamagoyaki, seasonal vegetables, potato salad, rice and a miso soup) than poached eggs and avocado. You can also add umeboshi sour plums and natto (slimy, fermented soybeans that are an acquired taste).
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