Supernormal Canteen

It’s pretty hard to apply the term «normal» to anything that Andrew McConnell does. Sure there’s lots that will feel familiar at this temporary test kitchen, but on closer inspection you’ll realise it’s anything but.
Dessert features such flavour revelations as white miso and pink lady apple icecream, topped with crushed peanuts. «Chocolates» listed for a mere $ 2 will surprise when you get to collect them from a cute vending machine.
A snappy wine list and a changing menu of zippy and innovative dishes will leave you stumped at what to order. My suggestion? Come with friends and order almost one of everything.
Particular highlights from recent visits:
— The house pickles
— Cold soba
— The eggplant and tofu (amazing textures!)
— The white-​cut chicken with black sesame (looks scary, tastes amazing)
— The lamb shoulder with crispy breads to wrap up all that spicy meaty goodness
I could live without the lobster roll and the pigs head bao. They sound exciting but never really rock my world. Spent your cash on another glass of wine.
If this is just a taste of what is to come at the larger permanent venue on Flinders Lane, I think Melbourne is in for a real treat.

Hot damn these kids know how to do service. I’ve never walked into an Andrew McConnell restaurant without feeling immediately welcome and it was never more obvious than when arriving at Supernormal Canteen at 10.30pm at night and being greeted and served the full menu like it was a far more reasonable hour. Even at 11.30pm, we watched them cheerfully invite in new diners. Props.
The food is incredible. Japanese inspired asian fusion bites with a few larger dishes that will rock your world. Like the big pot of the most delicious melty szechuan lamb.
If you glance at the menu and wonder how there is a dessert option priced at a bargain basement $ 2 — this is actually a gold coin operated vending machine, dispensing Japanese 7 – 11 esk delights. Staff told us they are getting some custom built machines for the full venue, due to open on Flinders Lane next year. Nice to see them having fun with the kitsch and charm that Japanese dining lends itself so well to.
I would love them to keep this space next to Cutler, but eagerly awaiting to see what the full restaurant experience is like if this is how well they can run a test kitchen.
Swoon.

Do it. Go there. Time is running out. Share. Order as much as you can. But share. Don’t say no to pigs head. Eat the tofu. Have a sake. Then another. Then share a Grenacha. Four ppl is perfect. Share. Be hungry. Brisket is like carpaccio. The staff rock. Tip them. They know the menu so ask. This is a pop up restaurant. Go now whilst the wait is reasonable. Save room for dessert. Or don’t. Ponder this with a ginger whiskey drink. Then a sake. Then order a coconut pana cotta. And miso ice cream to share. EVERYTHING IS AMAZiNG. Here til Christmas. Potentially.