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