Rock Sugar Is South Yarra's New Modern Thai Eatery

Malvern Road is the home of Rock Sugar, South Yarra's newest Thai eatery. Before you dismiss this as news of yet another Thai restaurant, hold your horses — this isn't just any old stir fry and noodle canteen.

The masterminds behind restaurant, which opened this week, are experienced Thai chef Kam McManamey (Botherambo, ex-Bang Pop), front of house Simon Tammesild (Mr Miyagi) and owner Nikon Souphan (Kanpai). The menu is being spruiked as modern Asian, featuring dishes like sour orange curry of pumpkin, eggplant, lychee, and white fungus, and pork neck with prawn floss, green nam prik, green mango and sticky rice. Gluten intolerant? No stress, because the menu is mostly gluten free.

McManamey felt the need to create a menu that pushed the boundaries, travelling to Thailand to find inspiration (a good move if you're opening a Thai restaurant, huh). The outcome is a menu that will challenge Melburnians in what he describes as an "outrageously competitive market". And he's right.

Rock Sugar will also be offering 'rocktails' — made to order cocktails, served in bubble cups (much like bubble tea). The list won't feature your standard cocktails though — creations include the Thai Basil Smash (coconut water, gin with Thai basil and lime) and the Chilli Choc Martini (chocolate sorbet, cognac, and scud 'bird's eye' chilli). Yes please.

For those who like to stick with the classics, the beer list will have all the standard Australian and Thai beers, as well as a wine list featuring grapes from Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

If you're not sure how to recognise Rock Sugar, just look out for their mascot Phi Phi — a waving pink neon Fortune Cat. You've got to be doing something right if you've got a neon pink mascot for your restaurant, right?

Rock Sugar is open 5pm to late, Wednesday to Sunday at 477 Malvern Road, South Yarra.