Monday, April 24, 2017

The New Atriurm - Safety Beach, Mornington Peninsula

Definitely the 19th hole this "Club House" feeling café\restaurant is no fine dinning spot. If driving by or live on the estate it might just be convenient to drop in for a drink or feed with friends or alone. Not a romantic hangout and is very, very family friendly (get my drift) with a play room for kids.

The New Atrium is not trying to be much more than a feed and watering hole spot. Meals are "pub" meals or less in quality. After saying that I was very impressed with the steak meal one of our friends was served. Big meal and the steak was excellent. Other meals were just OK. Beer and other drinks at about pub prices with a good selection. Staff are friendly and helpful. Décor is basic and purposeful, sit down, have a meal or drink and move on. Expect little from this place and you will not be disappointed.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Ladro TAP - restaurant, wine and beer bar, Greville St, Prahran

If you are going to eat, drink and be merry in Prahran expect to pay well for it. Probably no different than Chapel St. Doesn't mean the food is better or worse it is usually just a little more expensive, for what you get. After that very negative intro to Ladro TAP we did enjoy or meal and wine.

You are sat right on Greville street with cars and walkers going past. Pleasant but can't match an ocean mountain valley view. Stopped in here for a meal or a rink. They have a number of beers on tap, good wine selection etc. Staff are friendly and relaxed and service was quick and timely. No complaints.

Not far from the restaurant is the Prahran market itself worth a stroll through. You will be impressed with the variety and number of butchers shops, fish shops and chicken shops. Not sure it will be the cheapest market you will visit but a great place to have stroll and try and buy different foods.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Montalto - Winery and Olive Grove, Red Hil, Victoria

On a few occasions we have snacked in the garden of the Montalto grounds. Sitting amongst the lavender and veggies consuming wine, olives and delicious foods while the sun blazes down upon you is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. On any sunny day it is always a busy place to be. Wine and olive oil sampling and purchases can be made. Tourists love it, we love it.

I had looked longing at the fine dinning restaurant situated at the top of the Moltalto expansive winery. We did try to get in once but it was fully booked. With our 28th wedding anniversary, on the Easter Saturday, this time we booked. Glad we did.

The menu did not contain any selections which had our mouth watering but we both found three courses which took our interest. Of the three courses only the dessert was disappointing. The other two courses were very good but not stunning. Meal size was appropriate and combined with the bread and side we were quite content. Wines were excellent, both the red and the white and coffee strong and rich. Choose from the menu wisely as the table beside us ate little of their meal.

Service was warm and friendly and the staff knowledgeable. We wanted to purchase oil and dukkha but the shop was closed. Our helpfully waiter managed to fill our order with little effort. Parking is free and at the door and the drive to Montalto is delightful. Fine dinning it is but not very fine. No reason not to go though. Nothing to see at night so go for lunch.