Ipsos Restaurant and Bar - Lorne, Victoria.

 I enjoy most European food especially Greek and Italian. I’m lucky to be able to saver both reasonably often and just for a change sneak in some Indian from our local. While in Lorne celebrating my sister-lin-law’s birthday we booked into Ipsos. This is right in the middle of the shopping strip and is a good size restaurant. 

Like most busy eateries these days noise is a real issue with few patrons speaking at reasonable levels. A large room with hard floors and high ceiling makes for a noisy eat. Pick the non-busy times to go. Even the staff were loud. But, but, the food more than compensates for the discomfort. Big servings of very delicious Greek food. Not sure it’s 100% traditional but who cares it was very easy eating and big serves. 

Decor is a little strange not really taking you to Greece or any other country but it was simple and non-imposing on the pleasure of eating. Plenty of parking even in peak times but you may have a short walk back. We were on a table of seven which worried the life out of our waiter who expressed his concerns for timely serving to the birthday girl. Unnecessary and in the end all meals arrived in a timely fashion without any real concerns. 

Food quality, presentation, taste and quantity were all very good. It is a place I would recommended if you want a taste of kalos (good) Greek food. Drinks menu has an extended selection of Greek wines, cocktails and beers etc. You should have no problems picking a partnering drink. Go, enjoy but if you’re on a date and want to impress pick your time to ensure an intimate and quiet dinning experience. 

Longwarry Hotel - Southern Vic.

 As it goes for country pubs this hotel has to be a prime example in looks (inside and out),  service, food and decor. The decor is extremely dated and like most of the interior, tired. There is a bar where I would imagine a half dozen or so of the locals sit at daily, sports section and three dinning area. Also an outside area. A couple of tables near the bar will get you a window seat, we were lucky, it was ours. 

For a sunny Saturday afternoon, except for the bar, it was very quiet. Not much beer selection on tap but the locals have predicted what sells well here. Nothing flashy, just beer. Service at the bar is good and meals delivered to your table. The Longwarry Hotel has the usual pub fare when it comes to meals with a reasonable choice for mains, daily specials and a few entrees. 

The food quality is just OK but not to the standard of other country pubs we have dined at. My wife did say, though, her sauce was good as was my gravy. They are good size meals, you won’t go hungry and wash it down with the tap beer and you will be content. 

Would I rush back for another dining experience, definitely not. From the outside looking up at the pub you feel you are in for a great country pub experience but unfortunately the excitement stops at the front door. With possibly minimal local support and the occasional drop-ins this local probably won’t change. But at least for the locals sake let’s hope its still around in the years to come. 

Hochi Mama - Richmond, Vic

 Not the first Asian fusion restaurant and won’t be the last. In a very rustic setting of bare exposed brick walls and open to the beans ceiling you will be served many dishes. All delicious but like me, you will have your fav or favourites. Menu is set and the choice is large or small. Being big eaters the seven of us went big. There is about six or so dishes which come out in heavy succession. On the table and serve yourself. Most of the time this was easy being single hand scoop-ups and eat. 

I didn’t see a wine list but reds and whites are available and cocktails also for the asking. Here there is a feeling that they are looking for the younger trendies to wine and dine with hiphop music at high levels. Though you can’t get away from the music it never really bothered me. Usually it does. A rustic bare setting with many eat areas and a big bar in the centre. Great service, excellent food and a modern trendy fell Hochi Mama has it all. Pick your day and time though parking could be tight. 

Panton Hill Hotel - Victoria

 At one tine my wife and myself would avoid pubs and pub food. But over the last years we are re-discovering great country pubs and excellent pub food. Not only is the food good but the premises are quite often extensive and well kept. The country pubs we have enjoyed lately have multiple eating areas and often elevated viewing areas looking into bush, rivers or lakes.

Panton Hill Hotel falls well into this group of great pubs with excellent indoor and outdoor eating areas and better than average food. For us it was an interesting, easy, country drive to the hotel with plenty of local parking. Externally the hotel may not have changed much over its 112 year history, still looks the sane but I would imaging a number of renos and paint jobs. Internally and externally there are a number of eating areas plus a functions area. We sat outside on the higher decking with a view across the lake and onto the bush. With a view like that, good service and very good food at more than a reasonable price, country Vic. pubs have a lot to offer. Try one. 

Carboni’s Italian Kitchen - Ballarat East. Vic.

 While on a day trip to Ballarat I had to kill a few hours before heading home. Feeling like a good Italian pasta I dropped into Carboni’s. Evidently this restaurant is in the Italian precinct according to the locals. Nice part about being 15 mins out of town is you don’t have to pay for parking as is so much of the inner town limits. In fact there is a ton of parking just back of the establishment. 

This is not a small Italian kitchen. There are half a dozen areas all under roof where you can eat and on warmer days there is outside also. For me, cold and chilly day, inside thanks. Inside has a Mediterranean feel though the music was confusing. For me;- Italian food goes with Italian music. 

There are some good selection on the menu but the food quality and presentation drifted away from rustic Italy to more Oz/Italian. The serves are good size but, as above, quality was down. This is not fine dinning and runs close to pub food. Meals are served hot and timely and drinks at fare prices. I would image Friday through Sundays it may get busy so book. Or just go elsewhere if you are looking for better food and hopefully better music. Your experience here may be better than mine. The locals rate the place. 

Quattro - Manton’s Creek, Red Hill, Vic.

 Red Hill Victoria holds many beautiful gastronomic treasures. The avid “foody” explorer will be well paid for venturing deep into the hill side seeking out new and exciting eating experiences. Not knowing of   Quattro we sort a new dinning place in a local magazine. Red Hill is only a 30 minute drive from our backdoor and we have experienced many fine dinning ventures. Quattro appeared and booking was made.

This fine restaurant is well hidden but your nav. will get you there. In fact the vista as you approach the restaurant/cellar door, fronted by rows of vines, will get the juices flowing with anticipation. Think modern, welcoming, country and stylish. This is how you will feel as you approach for a real eating treat. Add to the whole experience friendly, profession, well knowledge wait staff and modern decor. For us we were up close to a broad window and expansive view across the vineyard. 

The food was excellent right across our two different courses and the complementary bread, olives, toppings and oil, all delicious. Not only was the courses perfectly cooked but perfectly presented. Get out your phone cameras here. Quantity was on pair for price but quality was better for the price. Good value here right across the board. 

With quiet ambience (no loud music of 60s, 70s, and 80s hits here to spoil your meal) just peaceful tranquility, fine food and good wine. Top that with easy parking, a grand peaceful view of the vineyard and food to live for and you have one very nice dinning experience. I only have one other word to say;- “Go” and enjoy. 

Touring for good food in Tassy.

If you haven’t been to Tasmania I would strongly suggest it. We flew and hired a car. Drove  from Hobart to Launceston over a ten day period staying at four locations. St.Helens was probably the best spot we stayed at. We struggled to find good food for most of the trip but once in Launceston the golf club restaurant, where we staying, spoiled us with a mostly excellent three course meal. Not to mention great cocktails and service. The scollops though were very disappointing and I told them so. 

The prize for the best eating experience has to go to Mudbar on the marina. A modern looking eatery with inside and outside eating areas. The food spoke for itself in presentation and was a delight to eat. The waiter - Dylan - must get a special mention for very fine and knowledgable service and a hand written note wishing us a safe trip home. Very nice touch. A good choice of Tassy wines was on the menu which I didn’t see a lot of at other cafes, pubs etc. This place as my highest recommendation for food and service and a beautiful location. Go and enjoy, we did.