Shanikas - Berwick, Victoria

 While checking out nearby suburbs for a possible future move to right size we ended up in Berwick. Yes, this is some where we could live. Right on lunch and needing a feed we wondered into the main street. Shanikas looked good and we were both hungry. It certainly looked the place which could deliver a nice meal in a pleasant environment. 

The restaurant was busy, sunny Sunday afternoon, what else would you expect. Our initial seating proved very noisy but without asking we were moved to a quieter table. The menu is extensive and I could have ordered double of entree and mains. Dessert was also very tempting but stayed with one entree and one main. Though the place was packed or food arrived promptly but more important, absolutely delicious. For both of us entree and mains were generous, beautifully presented and throughly delicious. I only wish I could have ordered additional entrees but thanks to serving size, there is no way I could have eaten more. 

The wine list is extensive;- cocktails, sparklies, reds etc. plenty of choices. Service is very friendly and floor staff knowledgeable. The decor is rustic with exposed brick walls and lighting is dim. Very pleasant. This place could get extremely busy so make sure you book. Plenty of parking, shouldn’t be a problem. This is where I say;- “you must go”. That’s because you must. If you live nearby, no excuse. Treat yourself to a very nice dinning experience. No it is not fine dinning but when food and the experience is this good, it doesn’t matter. Just go and go hungry. 

Green Zebra - Sunshine Coast, QLD

With family on the Sunshine Coast regular visits to the area are almost a yearly event. Knowing how much my wife snd I enjoy a good meal we were booked into the Green Zebra. Right on the water and within easy drive from where we were staying and parking at the door made this a no brainer. There are a few dinning areas inside including outside but we chose inside on a single large table. 

Wine list is extensive and food selections aplenty. For me it was entree and main others just went main. Both my meals were excellent. Well presented, good quality and quantity meals at reasonable prices. Whats there not to love. Service was prompt and staff knew the menu well for any tricky questions. The acid test for my wife and self is “would we go back and order the same food”? That’s a definite yes! If in the area book a seat and take the Green Zebra ride. And like us you will be looking forward  to your next culinary adventure right here. 

Squires Winery - Yarrawonga, Victoria.

 Getting out for lunch while staying in Yarrawonga a winery had to be on the top of the list. Not far out of town and not far from where we were staying was Squires Winery.  It happened to be a fine but windy day so all were inside. This made for a noisy environment so we ventured outside. Though windy we found a corner all to ourselves with no noise (apart from the wind) and no guests. 

We shared a couple pf entrees from the menu with most of the greens grown on the property. Of course there was a good local wine selection and our choices worked well with the food. Table service was provided by the owner who was chatty and friendly and talked a little about the vineyard. The food was very good and well presented and the wines excellent. Definitely a place to go and eat. It is family orientated but pick your days to go and if cold or wet you may get a quiet table inside. On a good weather day venture out. The outer areas are a little unkept, rustic and rusty but the food and wine are why you are here. The view out to the  river is very pleasant and there is wild life to watch. Parking is plentiful and service excellent, no reason not to go. 

Yarrawonga Hotel - Victoria, Australia

 We spent four days in Yarrawonga and looking for good places to eat. After dinning where we staying we realised we must look further afield. Glaringly the white Yarrawinga Hotel is in the middle of the main street. We eat at the Sebel resort which was a little disappointing but picked up a tip from a waiter there who claimed the Hotel provided good food.  

Great tip, we booked for lunch the next day. The Hotel itself has had a few changes over the years and I read where, many years back, it was badly burnt. When rebuilt was also renamed. It still holds it’s vintage charm but has been modernised all in white. Staff were particularly friendly and knowledgeable and spoke well about the food they offer.  

When the meals arrived they were well presented and plenty to fill the hungriest of eaters. Both my wife and myself were extremely impressed with the quantity and quality of our meals which arrived promptly after ordering. There is plenty of street parking and a good size bar and though the hotel got quite busy it remains quiet inside. I would book early the locals know food is good here and a pleasant place to gather for meals and celebrations. But whatever, if in town, book in and have a meal. If like us you will want to return. 

Alatonero Greek Restaurant - McCrae, Mornington Peninsula.

 We regularly drive down the peninsula for a drive or a meal and must have passed this restaurant a dozen times not knowing it was there. It is off a side road with other shops but if you are looking out for it easy to spot. We like our greek food and thought we would give this extensive eatery a try. Glad we did.

There are a number of  large eating areas inside and out and some can be hired for  special occasions, weddings, birthdays etc. or just drop in for a meal. We did and enjoyed some truly wonderful greek style food. There are a few different ways you can order from the Alatonero menu but for us we went with four selections from the entree menu. 

What we had was excellent and we were impressed with quality and quantity. It was our intention to have dessert but we were too full so maybe next time. Service was prompt and polite and staff knowledgable, both about the food and the venue. The decor is Mykonos white and blue, very greek but pleasant. Staff dressed similarly and simply and appeared to be busy. Parking is easy but watch the signs one side of the service road is one hour the other two hour. We overstated but didn’t get booked. 

In summery this is an excellent place to eat particularly if you like Mediterranean style food, prepared and served well.Take your appetite and try as many selections as you can they are all yummy. An excellent eating experience.

Tracks Cafe - Queenstown, Tasmania.

Unassuming cafe as part of a railway museum. Not small by any means and appears to be well supported by the locals. Clean, neat and tidy. You would expect standard cafe food - coffees, burgers etc.

My selection, Fettuccini Carbonara, was a big, generous serve, hot, saucy and super delicious, far more in quality from what I expected of this cafe. My wife’s meal was also excellent and we both marvelled at the meals in front of us. We enjoyed our dinning experience here and would only suggest if in town do drop in. The food is very, very good. At least the meals we had at Tracks on Point were of top quality. Highly recommended. 

Hamer’s Bar and Bistro - Strahan, Tasmania.

In Western tassy, in some of the quiet little towns, there is not always a lot of eating places, not even a pub. Strahan did have two eateries and one IGA store. One is fast food and the other a reasonable hotel. The hotel was near where we were staying and was open for all three meals. 

First we had breakfast there - waffles - then later back for dinner. Both meals were good and the oysters OK also. These establishments must do it tough in the winter with the town almost empty and only the happy travellers like us. Pricing is pub prices. Good selection of beer on tap and good wine list plus a few bubblies. 

Parking is easy and if lucky you can park at the door. Decor is country pub and pleasant with a big open fire. Staff are knowledgeable and prompt. If in town eat here, well really you have little choice. You’ll enjoy the relaxed experience.