Breizoz French Creperies - Williamstown Melbourne

139 Nelsons Place Williamstown

Les Gallette - Mushroom $8

Les Galette - Onion Soubise $8

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 33/45
Just Vego/Meat* ratio: 28/45
Specials: no
Comments: 19 of the 45 consists of sweet crepes. An old church setting was what drew us into this creperie for we did not realize that it's sibling was "that crepe place on Gertude". Having experience the hospitality at the Fitzroy establishment, this one is put to shame. Nice venue but that's about it. Service, what service?? Unless I was craving crepes in Williamstown, maybe I would return, otherwise there are an abundance of cafes and restaurants along Nelson's place that can tantalize your taste buds. Or if one can hold out for a 15 min drive, Creperie Le Triskel would be sooo worth your while.

Grain Rating: 2.5 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Cafe Sapore - Chadstone Melbourne

365a Chadstone Shopping Centre

Seafood Linguine $18

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: oops

Just vego/Meat* ratio: oops

Specials: yes

Comments: Plonked in the middle of the aisle surrounded by shops and shoppers is Cafe Sapore, a spin off from its more known St Kilda 1 chef’s hat venue. Quick easy food are on display ie frittatas, arancini balls, salads but also on offer are freshly prepared meals where the kitchen is somewhat hidden away in one of the centre’s corridors. Surprisingly, I was quite satisfied with my Seafood Linguine. Guess it’s no wonder then, a party of 20 were happy to celebrate end of year festivities in amongst the craziness of Christmas shopping. Good fresh food will always triumph.

Grain Rating: 3 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

La Citta - Melbourne

11 Degraves Street Melbourne

Caramelized blood orange with chocolate parfait $14.50

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 13/23
Just vego/Meat* ratio: 6/23
Specials: yes
Comments: What can I say, I was hungry and when one is hungers one forgets all, blog included. So I have no photo of the meal itself just the memories and contentment knowing where I can go for that good hearty feed. The Spaghetti Puttanesca $22/26 (food of a whore so I’ve been told) is quite a decent grub. After a hard days night, it will definitely satisfy your hungry palette. Leaving just enough room for dessert, the photo I do remember but how could I not especially when this dessert is a meal in itself. Something not of the norm. Don’t get me wrong, I most definitely welcome the massive ice cream-sque sandwich. 3 words… check it out.
Grain Rating: 3 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Movida Aqui - Melbourne

Level 1, 500 Bourke Street Melbourne



Jug of Sangria $35 or $9 per glass (only a fool will get a glass!)

Aceitunas Cordal (large olives) $4.50


Anchoa - Hand filleted Cantabrian Artisan anchovy on crouton with smoked tomoato sorbet $4.50 each



Bocadillo De Calamares - Calamari sandwich with Basque guindilla and mayonnaise $6.50 each





Xato - Grilled tuna with a black olive crust, romesco sauce and endive $17.50

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 19/31
Just vego/Meat* ratio: 7/31
Specials: yes
Comments: Movida has never done me wrong, and this new and larger venue has yet to make me believe otherwise. I use to be one to shun from the thought of eating anchovies but good premium anchovies are now my friends. Movida's use of premium ingredients and unique condiments makes each dish a refreshing surprise. Both times I have been here, I have ordered meat-free and each time my companion failed to realize her change in diet! We cannot wait to try the paella!

Grain Rating: 4 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Babbo - Melbourne

Madame Brussels Lane
50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne


Casareccia con carciofi & fave alla panna $13
(Sicilian twisted tube-shaped pasta with artichoke & broad beans in cream)
* fresh chilli, fresh parmesen & fresh bread adds kick to the meal and is all part of the deal!

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 8/12
Just vego/Meat* ratio: 6/12
Specials: yes
Comments: Such a shame this lunch venue is only open for breakfast and lunch as boy do I wish it was open for dinner. Italian food, Italian warmth, Italian hospitality. Homestyle comfort at it's best. The menu offers pizzas, soups and salads with 2 choices, meat or vego each unique from each other. On Thursdays and Fridays, they have pasta specials, again one meat and one vego and each always different from the other. I look forward to these days as I have yet to have the same vego dish each time. The use of seasonal produce to create unfamiliar combinations makes Babbo an exciting place. The remainder of the menu consists of a variety of piadinas which are perfect for those on the run. Good coffee is a given.

Grain Rating: 4 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Sakura Kaiten Sushi - Melbourne

1/59 Little Collins Melbourne



Fish dumplings, Treasure Basket & Chilli Prawns approx $6 per plate

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: see comments
Just vego/Meat* ratio: see comments
Specials:
Comments: The thing about Japanese food, especially in a sushi train environment is that there is much seafood but very little meat or vegetarian specific dishes. Let's face it if you don't like fish, you don't have much choice! For the vegan, there are 2 full vego plates (agedashi tofu and a pickle vegetable plate). And then on the meat side there's not much either maybe 2 beef dishes, 2 chicken and 1 pork. Everything else on the train in seafood. Which for a sushi luver is fine by me. Luv this little sushi train place, drinks are cheap, food is fresh, one feels at home either on your own or with mates.

Grain Rating: 3 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Rockpool Bar & Grill - Melbourne

Crown Casino Complex

Southbank, Melbourne

Spicy Mussels and Saffron Stew with Wood Fire Grilled Seafood and Aioli $39

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 30/48
Just vego/Meat* ratio: 8/48
Specials: yes
Comments: I know I really shouldn't support a restaurant whose success and primary ingredient is beef but this meat-free dish is one I just can't stop raving about. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for anything Sardinian inspired. From Italy's sunny Mediterranean comes this rustic risoni dish using fresh coastal ingredients, cooked with low complexity ensuring none of the natural flavors are lost. Damn you Rockpool.

Grain Rating: 3.5 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

SUD - South Yarra Melbourne

299 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Orecchetti with broccoli, anchovies,
garlic,chilli and Pecorino Romano $26

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 9/18
Just Vego/Meat* ratio: 5/18
Specials: yes
Comments: This is one restaurant that seems to unintentionally cater to both the vego and meat eater. However, caution should be taken if you're a strict vegan. Wait staff were pleasant but inexperience and nervous. Meal was nothing special but menu had variety. To their defense, it was a Monday and thus proabbly the head chef's day off. But then, that's pretty disappointing if consistency is not a priority.

Grain Rating: 2.5 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Creperie Le Triskel - Melbourne

32 Hardware Lane Melbourne


La Korigan Galette
French Bechamel, Swiss Gruyere Chesse, Spinach and Mushrooms. Accompanied with green salad and french bread $11





Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 3/11 BUT
Just Vego/Meat* ratio: 1/11 BUT
Specials: no
Comments: BUT... for this creperie, arrogant they are not, patriotic, oui, accommodating, oui, just plain cool, oui. All galettes can be accommodated to meet your meat-free and vegan requirements. 11 only refers to the savory galettes and then you have another page for the sweet crepes. A sweet tooth luver's paradise. Je l'aime!


Grain Rating: 4 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Grill´d - Melbourne

19 Melbourne outlets
www.grilld.com.au

Field of Dreams
Grilled field mushroom, roasted peppers, basil pesto, tasty cheese, salad & herb mayo and snack size chips on the side $14.50

Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 3/18
Just vego/Meat*ratio: 3/18
Specials: no
Comments: The ratio might not stand out but the burgers sure do. The combo of mushroom and pesto makes Field of dreams a winner. And with 2 other vego choices to pick from, more the reason to go back!

Grain Rating: 3 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

Kuni´s - Melbourne

56 Little Bourke Street Melbourne



Sake Teriyaki Ju
Grilled Salmon with rice, Chawanmushi & Miso $17








Meat-free/Meat* ratio: 5/20
Just Vego/Meat* ratio: 1/20
Specials: n/a - Lunch Menu
Comments: 1 vegetarian choice on the menu is just not right but nice food, nice setting and great service

Grain Rating: 2.5 / 5

* Meat refers to grain-fed animals = beef, pork & poultry

The Hunt (meat-free)

¨If we are brought up in a meat dependent culture, then we can also be brought up in a non-meat dependent culture.¨

Is this a difficult concept to grasp? Am I being unreasonable? I think not... obviously.

The difficulty of being a non-meat eater is that one is limited with choice. Even in this day and age, the 21st century, the idea that non-meat eaters only patron at places of their own kind continues to hold true. One obvious reason is there are just more meat-free choices. Whether you´re a meat eater or not, one will always lean towards having more choices over not having any at all. Good business sense would then be to have an even ratio of meat and non-meat offerings. While there are some restaurants who have good business sense, there are also those who do not.

Good food is good food. But which restaurants possess both good food and good business sense? Let the hunt begin.