Saturday 23 February 2013

Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe - Alternative Southern Cross

Expectations certainly led to ambiguity and disappointment after my visit to Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe on Collins Street. There has been a fair amount of hype and positive press about this place in recent times. It is certainly popular as there is a queue out the door and every table, both inside and out was taken. I wasn't going to let that turn me off so I persevered.

After getting toward the front of the queue, I was shouted at by one of the staff who asked me to order. It was a vexed situation as I had reviewed the menu on the wall and nothing looked so exciting that I wanted to order it so I was waiting to see what they had on display in the glass case, where the queue terminated as sweaty legal tender was exchanged at the terminus for the food and beverage, in this "cash only" funky cafe.

Ultimately I ordered a few sushi rolls - two spicy tuna rolls and one Japanese lobster roll along with a small cup of potato salad. What I liked about the rolls is that the cafe doesn't try to deceive you. In a fair amount of cases you will see sushi rolls with a fair amount of fish sticking out on one side however after you purchase it, you are disappointed that the fish doesn't occupy the whole roll. This dodgy tactic isn't employed at this cafe. The tuna wasn't exactly spicy and I wouldn't consider the addition of a strip of red capiscum a qualifier for the title. The Japanese lobster roll was bland and just okay. It certainly wasn't worth waiting in the queue for. My highlight was the potato salad as there were fresh and crunchy vegetables in it and was generally worth the money.

Not discounting the food fully as there are some value for money items on the menu and there is a reason why the place is so popular that a queue forms down Collins Street to get in however my gripes with the place is that there is no air conditioning, it is loud and you have about the same chance as getting a table as you do winning the Lotto. In fact, I retreated to a food court north of the cafe just so a seat could be secured. I may have to strategically return to this place in the off hours (if there are any) so that the crowds that can be likened to those at Southern Cross station are off doing something else and a more positive experience can be had.

Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe, Collins Street Melbourne

Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe
Link to review
j20/620 Collins St  Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9620 9548
no web site
My Rating: n/a
Service: n/a
Ambiance: n/a
Quality: n/a
Value For Money: n/a



Twitter: @epicurean3006
e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com


At the time of this post, 93% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon like Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe.

Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe on Urbanspoon

4 comments:

  1. How unfortunate that your experience wasn't pleasant, I cannot begin to tell you how many times I"ve looked up the reviews of a restaurant that seem to receive nothing but praise on urbanspoon and checked it out only to find it quite the opposite, it's disappointing! Then we can't be sure if urbanspoon users are deceiving or if the place is genuinely terrible. Hope you have a better dining experience next time.

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    1. As this gentleman mentioned in the review. I have given my review. He is right mate... Please accept...

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  2. I went to this place for a valuable meal for yesterday's tea. You get served for 9 Dollars and they do not cook food in authentic way. But the food was average and its not filling- Teriyaki Chicken sauce in few boneless chicken slices.. Sushis tasted frozen The waiter and person who cashes in this place has no knowledge about foood. No Air conditioning. and the floor is filled with dust.. Please stay away people..

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  3. You cant blame the cafe for not having enough seats but if you have travelled to Japan you will see hundreds of cafes that no longer are stereotyped with design and food.

    Purple Peanuts doesnt pretend to be "traditional" (some japan cafes are 10 years ahead of us in design n ideas. I mean come on.. Gyoza are chinese, tempura is Portuguese, and raw fish came from China (google these things).

    Re the spicy tuna...I asked the staff re the capsicum and they laughed when they thought thats the "spiceness". They said they put the red caps as a way of identifying that with normal tuna, so you dont get the wrong one. Im an aussie and agree its not hot enough for me but my other aussie friends say its to spicy! Just ask for more chilli on the side ..thats what I do.

    Music is loud at times (my boyfriend hates it loud) but I personally like that buzz and the music is pretty cool.

    Come on its a small lunch place doing things abit different, very fresh for 9-10 bucks..gotta like them for that. At least its not the standard frozen crap served by many japanese cafes.



    As for the wacka (Melb poolachi?) complaining re a a dusty floor ..errr... its a floor ..not a operating theatre!!!
    And his comment about them having no knowlege about food? I guess all the home made cakes, home made sauces, good mix of Japan food with the odd italian touch has certainly stooged the crowds, The Age, Timeout, Broadsheet and 1000 UrbanSpoon reviewers really well!!

    Your blogs a good though, but yr PPeanuts one is a bit tough i think. Regardless, I look forward to you reviews, keep on doing them they are a good read.

    Hitomi M.
    xx

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