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Lemongrass
176-178 Lygon Street, Carlton
03 9662 2244
Thai
$$$
Food
- Satay Chicken Skewers
- Tom Yum Soup
- Pineapple Fried Rice
- Massaman Lamb Curry
- Flame-Grilled Pork Neck
- Banana Fritter
- Sang-Kaya
The Good
It was off to a brilliant start to our feast thanks to the Satay Chicken Skewers. The stunning presentation was well accompanied by an incredibly aromatic experience, which made way to some perfectly cooked, exceptionally tender skewers of chicken that were appetising and well-spiced. Coating each stick generously with a nutty satay sauce proved to make for an unstoppable and mouthwatering combination that keeps begging for one more bite.
The Tom Yum Soup was a highlight of our meal. This seemingly simple, common soup was taken to a whole new level by Lemongrass. The flavours were forward and bold, with just the right balance of sweet, sour, savoury and spicy to offer up an incredibly appetising experience. Generously loaded with fresh, crunchy prawns and various veggies within, this fragrant soup was definitely the best Tom Yum we’ve come across.
The Pineapple Fried Rice was beautifully presented in a carved out pineapple. Filled to the brim with a abundance of soft and fluffy fried rice, the dish was well accompanied by wholesome chunks of pineapple, sliced chicken, fresh, crispy prawns and plenty of cashews and peanuts to provide an excellent crunch.
Another favourite of ours must be the delectable Massaman Lamb Curry. Featuring an incredible Lamb Shank, the curry that it was cooked within was exceptionally thick and creamy. Well spiced and very flavoursome, the fragrant and aromatic sensation worked rather well with the tender and succulent lamb, which exhibited a charred outer offering up a slight, unique crispness throughout. This proved to be an unstoppable combination when eaten with the pineapple fried rice.
The Flame-Grilled Pork Neck didn’t disappoint either. Grilled to perfection with a slight crispy outer, a hint of charcoal flavour permeated throughout, which was well accompanied by a bold and forward porky goodness. The protein itself was exceptionally tender and had almost a crunchy sensation to it. Served alongside a cute parcel of sticky rice and a refreshing salad, this is one dish pork lovers must not miss out on!
As many would say, save the best till last, and boy did Lemongrass keep their very best hidden till the end. The Banana Fritter was simply stunning, fried to a perfect golden brown with a scoop of ice cream perched precariously on top. The fritter was crunchy yet airy, making way to a soft and gooey inner filled with a soft mash of banana.
Their Sang-Kaya, otherwise more commonly known as Creme Caramel was also a favourite of ours. Leaning towards the denser side of this traditional South-East Asian dessert, Lemongrass’s rendition was perfectly executed. Silky smooth and very creamy, with a lovely caramel flavour permeating throughout and served with a sweet though not overpowering syrup.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
As a long established eatery amongst many on the bustling Lygon Street, Lemongrass manages to uphold their longstanding and revered reputation as the premier Thai eatery in Melbourne. While Thai eateries are increasingly commonplace and thought of as a less ‘exotic’ choice of cuisine, Lemongrass has definitely made every single dish unique, remarkable and spectacular in every way.
Despite their extensive menu, every item we sampled today was flawlessly executed, impeccably dished up and perfectly balanced thanks to their amazing head chef, Paula, at the helm. For an authentic Thai dining experience, we have yet to find anywhere in Melbourne that even comes close to the Lemongrass’s calibre.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Most definitely. We just can’t wait to be back to try different dishes on their seemingly never ending menu.
Penguineats would like to thank Chef Paula and owner Michael for inviting us to Lemongrass.