Chillipadi
(cnr Little Lonsdale and Elizabeth)
Phone 03 9664 5688
Chillipadi is a great little place that serves up some fantastic South East Asian cuisine at rather decent prices (check out the Happy Hour for cheap drinks on Thursday/Friday). Well known for it’s nasi lemak and chicken rice, their take on the laksa is perhaps one of the better ones in Melbourne (the roast duck version is pictured above, but you can also get a chicken, roasted vegetable or seafood version).
If you are trying to be somewhat healthy, then I recommend the Chicken Teriyaki. Garnished with carrot curls, sesame seeds and shredded nori, it hits all the right sweet and savoury notes. A nice dome of steamed rice aids to clean the plate of tasty left over juices.
I can also recommend the nasi goreng spicy fried rice with ikan billis (deep fried salty anchovies/peanuts) and sunny side egg. Yeah, it is a little naughty in the oily stakes, but it rocks big time. Also somewhat evil is the roti channai with curry vegetables. I was so impressed with the freshness and variety of the curry veg, which even included okra, that I practically licked the plate clean.
Service is snappy (most of the time) and the place itself is interesting to both look at and experience. Bold colours and an artful design add a nice backdrop to the well patronised establishment, which is frequented by an eclectic mix of students, business people and couples just wanting a good feed.
You can also pick up a range of spice and paste mixes, and it is also one of the cheaper bottleshops in the CBD for a decent bottle of wine.
And like Cindy and Michael experienced from where’s the beef?, I’ve eyed the desserts on numerous occasions but am yet to succumb to temptation (well..I’ve been just too full to even contemplate it!).
….UPDATE….thursday, 22 march, 2007….
Well I finally made it to Chillipadi for dessert. After a rather large plate of pasta for dinner, the only option was to sample the trio of ice-creams (the dessert cabinet just looked way too naughty). You can choose from a selection of black sesame, red bean, cinnamon and green tea. EG and I went the first three, and both declare them to be excellently goooood. The cinnamon and black sesame especially were outstanding. I just wished I had a whole bowl to myself 
Written by mellie on
March 4th, 2007 | Tags: Asian, cafes, restaurants | Category: Uncategorized
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March 6th, 2007 at 10:40 am
I enjoyed your review, but I’m a tad disappointed that the desserts remain untasted.
I’ll just have to resist the chips on my next visit.
March 6th, 2007 at 10:53 am
I know your pain Cindy. How can one ever resist chips?!?
I am completely fascinated by their dessert cabinet. I must walk past it a couple of times a week. And I always tell myself I’m going to try it soon.
Dang…I should just pop in for afternoon tea one day and be done with it
March 7th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Chillipadi’s owners are wine merchants as well so they often have what they call Winemakers’ Dinner where meals comes with wine matching.
If you like Malaysian hawker type food check out hawker themed Chilli Malam as well on Thursday to Saturday nights while the weather is still warm. Usually lots of students go
Funny enough I haven’t tried their desserts either!
March 7th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Hi saechier - dang, hasn’t anyone tried their desserts?!?!?
Yes, I’ve seen them advertise a few of their wine events and Chilli Malam, but am yet to make it to either of them.
I’ll get there eventually
Thanks for the tip!
March 8th, 2007 at 8:28 am
I am proud to say I’ve managed to conquer the dessert territory. I’m also glad to hear your service experience was so different from my review!
March 8th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
oh yum…. i’ve walked past this place a few times, never been in. I’ll have to do it… hm, looking for dinner in the city this evening…. maybe that’ll be it….
March 9th, 2007 at 12:45 am
Hi truffle - ah hah! I knew I had read another review somewhere, just couldn’t remember where. It was yours! Yes, the service can sometimes be a little scratchy, but generally I’ve been well served on each of my visits. Only on one occassion did I have to flag down a waitress. And you did the dessert too! Glad that someone has tried an item from that cabinet
Hi anna - uh huh, certainly give it a go tonight. Remember it has cheap beers on Friday
March 12th, 2007 at 9:17 am
I’ve never tried the desserts too! But it’s usually because we’re there for supper, so we’re not really that interested in the dessert, just the ‘mamak food’and atmosphere.
Try the Har Mee or Prawn Noodles (I’m not sure what it’s listed as on the menu) the next time you’re there. My friend and I reckon it’s one of the best we’ve had in Melbourne.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Thanks for the link ilingc! And I will certainly give thr Har Mee a try, if it comes with that kind of recommendation!