My party of three was about 15 minutes late for our lunch booking at the Metung Galley. When we arrived I went to the counter, explained that I had a booking and apologised for being late. We’d been on the road for hours and were in need of sustenance and relaxation.
With most of the outdoor tables taken but most of the indoor ones vacant, the venue was barely half full and seemed to have sufficient staff to deliver prompt service.…
Floating Dragon in Lakes Entrance is an unusual regional restaurant. As far as I can tell the menu is reasonably authentic Cantonese cuisine. The food is certainly of very good quality and it is relatively expensive, with somewhat slow but very friendly service.
Located on a pontoon floating in the harbour of Lakes Entrance, Floating Dragon has novelty and great views to add to its excellent food. Even on a wet and stormy night it was calm inside, though you could occasionally feel the movement of the water beneath.…
What can you do to amuse yourself on a rare day off work on a Monday (in this case the day between the weekend and the Melbourne Cup horses running in circles thing? Go somewhere nice for lunch of course, and with limited options for enticing places that open on Mondays, the bistro at the newly refurbished Builders Arms seemed the place to be.
The girlfriend and I started with some of the entrees: whipped cod roe, olive toasts with anchovies and crudité with smoked curd and pomegranate molasses (further below).…
The Playroom, a new upstairs venue above Brother Burger (formerly Retro cafe then briefly Eat Drink Man Woman) is now open. It will host a pop up wine bar run by the Vinsurgents called the Barrel Hall that opens on 13 October. Entry is free but you need to get a ticket. Having already enjoyed the wine of the various contributors at other events, I’m intrigued by this.…
Marmalade and Soul opened at the start of the year in a former scruffy pub in a bit of a backwater location in between but apart from the busy Brunswick St and Queens Parade strips. The food is a mixture of the modern and the retro, and the current offer of 3 courses for $60 is a tempting offer.
I met a friend there for dinner recently and this is what we ate. For entrees, smoked eel with cauliflower and eel jus and ancient grains salad.…
Late last year I noticed that a new restaurant had opened on the North Carlton side of Nicholson St in the cafe strip north of Pigdon / Scotchmer streets. It’s mostly a daytime scene, with A Treat of France and Natural Tucker bakeries and Figs and Birdie Num Nums cafes all being popular.
Night time is different. Bar Fred can be packed and draws a younger crowd for beer and excellent pizza, but the strip is not known for good food.…
Despite having Albert St Wine and Food on my list of places to eat at for months, I was not planning on going there on Saturday. I was trying to take the girlfriend to lunch next door, at Greenfield, a cheap and cheerful Vietnamese that comes recommended from friends. We’ve tried repeatedly to go there but we’ve failed.
We tried one Sunday (they’re closed) and on Saturday we arrived just after 12.30pm (they supposedly open at 12.30pm) but a staff member was loitering in the doorway, locked out.…
This is a difficult review to write. I want to like places and I rarely write negative reviews. It’s easier to simply forget bad meals. Sometimes, however, there is something to learn from in reflecting on disappointing dining experiences.
Having read reviews about restaurants in Albany prior to visiting, and having a recommendation from a friend who had eaten there previously, I chose Lime 303. It’s located in the generically mediocre looking Dog Rock motel, and features a standard contemporary restaurant interior including dark furniture, architectural light fittings and relatively dim lighting.…
Over the weekend I was fortunate to visit the cellar door of Albany organic winery Oranje Tractor, and I was impressed with their wines. While the sparkling riesling, made by méthode champenoise, was not to my taste, I thought their riesling, sauvignon blanc and shiraz were excellent.
The sauvignon blanc is delicious with fish, while the typically cool climate peppery shiraz matches well with roast lamb and vegetables and crusty bread. If you’re in the area I recommend a visit to try their wine and to appreciate their wonderful gardens.…