Quick review: Cumulus Inc lunch rolls and Le Bon Ton, Melbourne

Cumulus Inc 
Cumulus Inc, a favourite of ours (and apparently of Yotam Ottolenghi), has started offering rolls for $10 as a weekday lunch. This, in combination with the fact that it’s near my work meant I couldn’t say no. Darting over from the office, I scooped up one of their pulled pork rolls for a lunch on the run. It was worth the short trek. The pork was melt in the mouth soft, expertly rendered and perfectly seasoned. What’s more it was threaded through with thin strips of oven-crisp crackling. But honestly the meat wasn’t even the star of the show. That came nestled on either side of the meat: On top, a crisp coleslaw richly flavoured with coriander and Thai basil, which perfectly cut through the richness of the pork. Beneath, my new favourite condiment – Sriracha Mayo! Kewpie by itself, good. Sriracha by itself, good. Together? PERFECT. Highly recommended, although the menu changes day to day, so your roll may differ!

Le Bon Ton
Called the ‘Smoker’s Lot’, this generous meat platter from ‘Le Bon Ton’ is in and of itself a reason to visit the Carlton based bar and southern themed smoke house. For $49 you get generous helpings of Angus brisket, pulled pork shoulder and apple basted chicken as well as a cheese loaded jalapeno hot link sausage.

Starting with the link sausage: excellent. It oozed flavour (along with melted cheese), although the chili hit was potent.

The chicken next, and to be honest, I could take it or leave it. Le Bon Ton outdid themselves with the four legged beasts, however the bird was a bit lacking.

The brisket more than redeemed it though. You could taste the grass and grain that had fed the animal, and the hours of smoking basically meant it basically evaporated into a mild beef and wood smoke flavour upon hitting my tongue.

Last, and perhaps best of all, the pulled pork. Exceptional. I am a big fan of pulled pulled pork, and this was one for the ages. Worth the trip for it alone. Definitely made me want to book a repeat visit to sample a wider range of their menu.