Scoring street-food eats may seem impossible in the world of social distancing, but at this latest pop-up, it’s the name of the drive-through game.
With so many Melbourne restaurants shutting up shop at the moment, it takes boldness and ingenuity to open up a new one. Icon of the Melbourne dining scene, chef Michael Lambie (with faves like Stokehouse, Circa, The Smith, Lucy Liu and plenty more on his impressive resume) is the man to do it.
Say hello to Soi 10, a fresh take on Asian street food that has pivoted their service to suit the no-contact world. Add in the collaboration of the brilliant team behind St Kilda East’s Grosvenor Hotel, and a recently vacated drive-through, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
In a time when social distancing is so vital for the safety of our communities, Melbourne’s usually bustling foodie scene has been temporarily paused, with take away and home deliveries replacing long nights spent in our favourite venues. It’s a trying time for our hospitality scene, with many doing their best to make their menus (originally crafted for dining in) take away or ‘make away’ friendly, and able to hold up to a jostling Uber ride. As it’s said: necessity is the mother of invention, and the Grosvenor Hotel’s drive-through, recently vacated by the St Kilda Burger Bar, was too tempting an opportunity for no-contact great food to pass up.
With a menu designed to be eaten on the go – with no need for cutlery or plates – Soi 10’s Asian fusion street food will bring much-needed brightness to chilly Melbourne this winter. And, thanks to the drive-through you won’t even have to leave the warmth of your car. Lambie is joined by the Grosvenor’s Hotel’s executive chef, Simon Moss, to bring a menu full of your favourite fresh and vibrant Asian street-food eats.
If you’re feeling peckish on-the-go, hit up the smaller bites on the menu at Soi 10, with secret spiced chicken ribs with kewpie mayo for the perfect balance of zingy and creamy. Or try the green papaya salad with dried shrimp, hot chilli, tomato and peanuts for a fresh and light choice that will have you dreaming of a tropical beach holiday when iso is over. The crispy soft-shelled crab with roasted rice and green nam jin is calling my name, and drunken prawn dumplings with ginger, chilli, and spring onions sound like the perfect match for a night in watching Netflix. Civic duty never tasted so good.
If you’re in need of a good tuck-in, the menu also has a selection of decadent buns and dumplings, perfect to be chowed down using your hands. Crispy crackling pork with kimchi and kewpie will please even the fussiest of diners and Soi 10’s sloppy beef joe with pickled cucumber and hot chilli will be your new go-to comfort food. Speaking of comfort food, Soi 10’s large dishes feature classic Asian faves beef rendang with toasted coconut for a nutty punch, served on fragrant steamed jasmine rice and Korean fried chicken served up fries spiced gochujang and kewpie.
Best of all, all of Soi 10’s dishes can be pre-ordered, ready for pick up at the drive-through and eaten on-the-go.
Proving once again that it’s the Southside’s one-stop-shop for the foodie minded, the Grosvenor Hotel has also turned its bottle shop into a haute grocer with top tier export quality meat, fresh bread, all of your go-to pantry staples, and more. And, don’t worry, they still stock plenty of alcohol!
Feeling like a spot of drive-through deliciousness while supporting the Melbourne hospo scene? Cruise down to Soi 10 at the Grosvenor Hotel, and take your Iso dining to the next level.