Biggie Smalls Launch Loves Melbourne
You might be mistaken for assuming Biggie Smalls was music venue; instead it is Shane Delia's latest pet project that mashes up his Middle Eastern Roots with his love of the late artist and 90's hip hop.
The World Loves Melbourne was invited to the opening night of the award-winning restaurateur and chef's new urban kebab concept. We arrived minus the obligatory hangover one usually associates with the kebab occasion, and ready for an objective kebab assessment.
After two record-breaking series of his hit SBS TV show, Shane Delia’s Spice Journey and the recently redeveloped Bond St site of Maha restaurant, Shane is ready to launch a new dining concept in Melbourne.
Staying true to his Middle Eastern trademark, Biggie Smalls will be a ‘KBab Joint’ like nothing else the world has ever seen. An urban Melbourne offering, tapping in to the global hip-hop sub culture movement. The 40-seater restaurant, inspired by 90s hip-hop mixed in with the classic New York diner, promises nothing traditional, just simple food. “We want Biggie to be a place where there is good food and good times”, says Delia. Serving a take away offering, Biggie Smalls provides a quality option to the time poor work force of Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Biggie Smalls will be tech-savvy by launching an ordering application with a built in loyalty program.
As soon as you step in you get the feel you are in a classic New York diner, with pastel coloured tiles, vinyl and booth seating along one wall. The menu is not at all New York however. With pun-named 'kbabs' like East Coast (maple glazed pork belly, crackling, peanut butter hummus, herbs and pickles) and West Coast (fried shrimps, harissa and almond mayo, herbs and pickled onion) on offer, the 'A-Rab' was definitely the stand out.
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, smoked hummus, pickled onion, sumac, mint and coriander. All kebabs are served on grilled bread brushed with zaatar, olive oil and salt with a choice of either New School or Old School accompaniments - Old School being caramelised garlic yoghurt, New School Kewpie Mayo. The kebabs are on the small side but pack a flavour punch, a good excuse to have two! The chips were divine andlike a backup singer that almost steals the show; crinkle cut with perserved lemon, spiced butter, coriander seeds and salt.
And then - right when you’re thinking that New York is only given an aesthetic nod at Biggie Smalls - Delia delivers you a peanut butter caramel injected pretzel. O.M.G!
Punters who download the Biggie take-away app will be privy to promo codes and updates via the phone app and enjoy the no-hassle of ordering lunch or dinner online. In collaborations with the Western Bulldogs & Melbourne City FC Biggie Smalls will also facilitate a 'we win - you win' promotion where by when the respective club wins a game, a push notification is sent to club members offering them a 2-4-1 deal for X amount of time post game. Authenticity and ‘keeping it real’ is what Biggie Smalls will be founded on. Architecture that reflects these values, audio playlists that captivate the customer and an innovative food offering that has soul.
Opening 11am 10th December, Biggie Smalls is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and until 1am on weekends.
Biggie Smalls is a fun, urban and accessible brand that stays true to Shane’s high-end reputation and hard-working, entrepreneurial attitude. Skip the hangover, and get into it.