Surprise Chef
I’ve been eating cheese pies there since I was a pup
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Surprise Chef are Coburg’s (Melbourne) cinematic soul journeymen, pushing moody shades of instrumental jazz-funk with a DIY mentality. Guide by guitarist Lachlan Stuckey (a.k.a Stuckey).
Where do you live most of the year?
Coburg 3058
What do you look for in a restaurant when you walk in?
Appropriate music at an appropriate volume.
What is your final meal?
Those chocolate YoGo things with M&Ms in ‘em.
3 guests for dinner, dead or alive?
Curtis Mayfield, Ahmad Jamal, Carol Kaye.
Surprise Chef’s Taste Maker Guide
Breakfast: Big Elma
Order: Potato & Toleggio sandwich. We live around the corner and love to pop by for a nibble, some coffee beans and a smile.
Coffee: Kines
Order: Batch brew and a cinnamon donut. Jethro and I run College Of Knowledge from an office next door so we’re there a lot.
Lunch: A1 Bakery
Order: Kibbeh Platter. Each and every day I give thanks for A1. I’ve been eating cheese pies there since I was a pup.
Special dinner: Mankoushe. One of everything thanks. Probably the best bite on the whole of Lygon Street (heavy call).
Casual dinner: Tiba’s
Order: Mixed shawarma plate. Unimpeachable.
Special shoutouts
Melbourne joints:
Vola Foods for Jollof.
Savannah African for Ethiopian food.
Pasta Classica for pasta.
Half Moon Cafe for falafel.
High Note for a pint.
The Edinburgh Castle for a counter meal.
Old Plates for a piss-up.
Stefanino Panino for a panini.
There’s a new spot in Coburg called Sweet Nectar Inn on Nicholson St, I haven’t been yet but keen to check it out.
Tour spots:
Potbelly Cafe in New Delhi.
The pizza spot next to The Empty Bottle in Chicago.
Voodoo Donuts in Portland.
Fed by Made in Bali.
La Estrella Tacos in Highland Park LA.
Phoenix Burrito House.
Last but not least, the absolute GOAT of Delis: Granzellas on the drive from LA to SF. I think about that place weekly.