FOOD is about mood and Mood Food in Braddon knows this to be very true.
Wendy Johnson
On the menu at lunch is a fair range of dishes, starting at $17 for The Reuben sandwich – a trend in dining at the moment – and up to $28 for a nine-ounce fillet steak with truffle sweet potato chips, tempura asparagus and wasabi mayonnaise.
What was I in the mood for?
I thought the burger of pulled lamb shoulder, with feta, baby spinach with mint and basil pesto and a few Belgian frites, but, in full mood swing, I ordered the wild mushroom ravioli with burnt sage butter sauce ($23). Wild mushrooms are so more-ish and soul satisfying.
There was a thin layer of mushrooms in the middle of each square of perfectly cooked ravioli. While I adore burnt sage butter sauce, there was too much of a pool of it in the bottom of my elegant white pasta bowl for my liking. And my bet is that many would think it was a small serve for the price.
My friend ordered the cold crispy pulled duck salad ($22) served on a massive salad of cucumber, coriander, watercress and more. The dish promises sweet blood orange also, although I am not convinced that was so this time around. I snuck a mouthful or two and felt the dish lacked in flavour overall.
Mood Food also offers a selection from the menu’s Calzone Corner (all $19), including brandy and Vegemite-marinated beef, with wild mushroom, Dijon mustard, parsley and buffalo mozzarella (absolutely the best) and another option with pulled pork belly, mustard aioli, sage and Swiss cheese.
An aromatic traditional Thai Laksa features at lunch as does a vegetarian curry with clove-spiced rice.
It wasn’t busy when we visited Mood Food, although admittedly it was a late lunch and just before yet another holiday weekend. Service was swift and with a smile. Mood Food is also open for dinner, with specials on Friday after work, and also for breakfast.
With Mood Food you can book online through Dimmi for free. And your booking is instant and guaranteed. Dimmi is the booking system of choice for more and more restaurants. Pretty convenient stuff.
Lonsdale Street is going through another growth spurt and Mood Food has a great location along the strip. Across the road Autolyse is opening a new juice bar and, just further along, Lonsdale Street Roasters has just opened an extension of its food operation. There’s no stopping these folks.
The only frustrating thing about a visit to this increasingly popular precinct is parking. It’s always at a premium.
Mood Food, Unit 132, 24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Call 6257 8990.
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