Five secret off-menu items to try in Melbourne

In a city spoilt for food and drink choices, there are yet more delicious eats to be had with these secret off-menu items. Here’s where to find them.

Why play by the rules when you can order these delicious off-menu treats?

Melbourne is already spoilt for choice with food and drink.

But there’s also an untapped bounty of off-menu deliciousness to be discovered around town.

Here are five must-try secret off-menu items to get in your mouth.

Tiramisu with truffle? Why not..

1. TIRAMISUÌ AMERICANO

Grill Americano

Chris Lucas’s New York inspired steakhouse is already known for its large format tiramisu, theatrically served tableside. For a short time, you can pimp out the dessert with winter delicacy black truffle. Ask and you shall receive. $42 per serve.

Maha’s turkish delight doughnuts have been a solid fave for many years.

2. TURKISH DOUGHNUTS

Maha Restaurant

Shane Delia’s cult-favourite turkish delight doughnuts are served at the drop of a hat at the Middle Eastern food maven’s events. These magical golden-fried orbs are soaked in a honey rosewater, squishy with gooey Turkish delight centres — it’s hard to stop at one.

Di Stasio’s secret off menu pasta dish.

3. SPAGHETTI AL MORO

Di Stasio Citta

There’s no greater life pleasure thank slurping golden pasta strands at the bar at Di Stasio Citta with a glass of red within reach. Now you can try their ode to the famous dish served at 1920s Roman restaurant, Trattoria al Moro. The team even flew to Rome to learn how to make the dish. Made simply with spaghetti, pan crisped pancetta and a good helping of pecorino. It’s been on, or off, the menu for three weeks and will set you back $28.

Roti with vegemite curry.

4. VEGEMITE CURRY ROTI

Sunda

Executive chef Khanh Nguyen may have stepped away from the helm of this south east asian favourite — but his clever take on the famous Malaysian flatbread remains. Swipe flaky wads of the buttery crisp bread into that spicy vegemite curry sauce riding alongside for a cross-cultural flavourbomb.

5. FREE COCKTAIL JUG

Shihushi Hotel Sorrento

Yes you read that correctly. When visiting Hotel Sorrento’s Chinese restaurant for its bottomless dining sessions, answer the phone at the bar with the words “ni hao” to unlock a free jug of your cocktail of choice for the table.

NB: We know we have missed many. Please share your secret ordering intel below.