Food & Dining

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Those looking for the perfect weekend family-feasting spot or hangover-curing haunt need look no further, as Moonhouse launches its new Yum Cha 3183. Beginning Saturday, 3rd December 2022, every weekend the Carlisle Street favourite will be bringing its take on the classic Chinese brunch offering - Cantonese inspired and Balaclava served - with a twist.

Despite doing away with the classic trolleys and traditional steamers - diners will still be able to divulge the family gossip and dissect the drama from the night before over delicious dim-sum sharing plates, as well as unlimited bottomless drinks packages. Every Saturday and Sunday two sittings will be available - lunchtime lovers can arrive from 12pm or for the late-risers, leisurely from 2:15pm.

“Everybody loves yum cha - it’s a Cantonese classic that Melbourne has truly made its own, but no one wants a sad surprise when the trolley comes around - so at Moonhouse. we’re undoing and redoing the iconic brunch offering. We want Moonhouse to be the go to yum cha spot on the Southside.” Says Commune Group’s Simon Blacher. ​ ​

Using the freshest local ingredients to recreate century-old favourites, Moonhouse’s offering is extensive, and for diners, the hardest decision of the day may be which eight tasting plates and shared dishes to choose from. Menu items will vary, but will include: ​ 

  •  Steamed oysters, soy ginger, spring onion
  •  Wontons, chilli vinegar
  •  Spinach dumplings, soy chilli
  •  Crystal prawn dumpling, fermented chilli
  •  Chicken dumplings, chilli oil
  •  Pan-fried mushroom bing, Sichuan vinegar
  •  Prawn and chicken sui mai, tobiko
  •  Dried chilli fried chicken
  •  Char siu pork buns
  •  Roasted duck pancake, plum hoisin, plum salt, cucumber
  •  Steamed XO scallops, lemon butter
  •  Sticky rice
  •  Steamed bok choy, mushroom soy, crispy garlic
  •  Salt & pepper tofu
  •  Xinjiang spiced calamari
  •  Hot & sour salted cabbage
  •  Sweet & sour cauliflower, capsicum, pineapple
  •  Vegetable economy noodles

If that selection is not enough, extra hungry diners will be able to add to add to the yum cha offering, to make it a truly memorable feast, highlights include:

  • XO pipis, crispy egg noodles, garlic shoots ($38)
  • Crayfish fried rice, egg yolk, fish roe ($66)· ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  • Xinjiang lamb shoulder, spring onion pancake, lamb jus, herbs ($90) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  • Stir-fried vegetables, snow peas, bamboo shoots

Those with a sweet tooth should keep their eyes peeled for the chefs roaming with surprise appetisers and sweets.

The food fun does not stop there, with a 2-hour unlimited booze add-on option also available. Guests can choose to kick off the day with a tea-infused martini jug, or sample a drinks list featuring plenty of local pours and yum cha exclusive cocktails. ​ And for those who really want to get the party started, why not order a Bloody Mary or Verdita - a zesty mix of tequila, pineapple juice, mint, coriander and chilli - to really start the day with a bang?

Bookings are now live for the hottest yum cha in town - come for the yum cha, but stay for the cocktails. 

Moonhouse’s Yum Cha 3183 + Unlimited Booze details: ​
​Date
: Weekends from Saturday, 3 December 2022
Price: Yum cha ​ - $60pp. Unlimited booze offer - $35pp. Minimum two people per sitting.
Website: https://www.moonhouse.com.au/yumcha
Bookings: ​ Bookings and walk-ins welcome. Bookings via SevenRooms

About Moonhouse
Commune’s newest restaurant, located on the prominent corner of Carlisle Street and Nelson Street in Balaclava, opened in May 2022, bringing Chinese cuisine in a bistro setting. The kitchen team includes Executive Chef Anthony Choi (Cumulus Inc., Firebird, New Quarter Group), Group Pastry Chef Enza Soto (Brae, Baker D. Chirico, Bibelot, New Quarter and Firebird) and Head Chef Shirley Summakwan (Tokyo Tina, Hanoi Hannah Volume II, New Quarter). Together the team will express the intersection of flavours in contemporary ways. 

Address: 282 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183
Website: moonhouse.com.au
Social media handle: @moonhouse_melbourne

About Commune Group
Commune Group is a collection of dynamic, lively and forward-thinking hospitality venues founded by Simon Blacher and Nic Coulter. The group, established in 2012, was initially known for its alliterative sister restaurants in Windsor – Saigon Sally and Hanoi Hannah. Their venues transformed the neighbourhood and its surrounds, sparking a wave of hospitality openings in the now-established Melbourne dining hotspot. Commune Group currently consists of six Melbourne-based South-East Asian restaurants – Moonhouse, Firebird, New Quarter, Tokyo Tina Hanoi Hannah Express Lane and Hanoi Hannah Vol. II.
Website: www.communegroup.com.au