Loud, loud, really loud. Not the place for a romantic dinner. In fact not the place I would ever return to at a time when know there is going to a lot of other diners. Find the quiet times for La Cucina and go. You are in for some excellent and very inexpensive Italian cuisine. Its all just so yum! No other way to say it. This is good food, good quality food, lovingly prepared and there is a lot of it.
It really didn't matter what we tried here it was fabulously delicious. Also there is plenty of variety so go nuts. Don't order too big you will not fit it all in. Serves are generous. This is not BYO but there is an extended wine and beer selection. Also the price per glass was reasonable. The staff are jovial, professional and very helpful. There is stacks of parking both out-front and in the larger car parks near by.
Let me sum it up. Go when it's a quiet time, go hungry, expect sumptuous food and good wines and spend some time here. Finding a quiet time may be hard because this is a good restaurant in a restaurant glutted area. BUT GO!
Friday, May 5, 2017
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Mercato - Daylesford, Victoria
On a brief stay in Daylesford Victoria we visited Mercato restaurant for dinner. Make sure you book ahead. We did and on a Thursday night it did get busy. We are always happy to pay well for food we expect to be better than most. In this case we were not disappointed in fact we were very delighted. Not at Rock Pool standard but then at a third the price. My pork and the wife's fish were both of good portion and superbly prepared. You will not go hungry. We did add a side and I would suggest you do but share it. Leave room for dessert. Accompanying sauces and veggies were also right up there with what you expect really good, well cooked fine food should taste and eat like.
We stayed at Ambleside only ten minutes from the restaurant on the other side of town. I would suggest, if staying at Daylesford, you also stay here. In a word - "Excellent". Back to the restaurant. Service is excellent and efficient. No long waits for your meal as would expect in any classy establishment. Not a huge selection on the food menu but the drinks menus is as thick as an encyclopaedia. I'm sure though you will find a culinary temptation or two. We did.
Décor is old world-ish as is Ambleside. Daylesford can really take you back to the "feel" of early country Victoria. Both our desserts were also very good, add this the earlier great main, a glass of fine wine and a long black to finish off and your done. And done in a nice, no, in a very nice way.
Mercato is worth a trip to Daylesford just for a fine dining experience at a more relaxed price. Stay in Daylesford and cab there and back so you can share a bottle of the local grape. An overnight stay, a walk through a nice little town and a fine meal is a good way to recharge and relax. We did and we are going back for yet another recharge. Check this one out.
We stayed at Ambleside only ten minutes from the restaurant on the other side of town. I would suggest, if staying at Daylesford, you also stay here. In a word - "Excellent". Back to the restaurant. Service is excellent and efficient. No long waits for your meal as would expect in any classy establishment. Not a huge selection on the food menu but the drinks menus is as thick as an encyclopaedia. I'm sure though you will find a culinary temptation or two. We did.
Décor is old world-ish as is Ambleside. Daylesford can really take you back to the "feel" of early country Victoria. Both our desserts were also very good, add this the earlier great main, a glass of fine wine and a long black to finish off and your done. And done in a nice, no, in a very nice way.
Mercato is worth a trip to Daylesford just for a fine dining experience at a more relaxed price. Stay in Daylesford and cab there and back so you can share a bottle of the local grape. An overnight stay, a walk through a nice little town and a fine meal is a good way to recharge and relax. We did and we are going back for yet another recharge. Check this one out.
Forrest Brewing Company - Forrest, Victoria.
While staying at Separation Creek, on the west coast Victoria, we decided to drive back though the Otway's to have lunch at Forrest Brewing Company. As advertised, more than a micro-brewer, it is a nice restaurant\café. Personally I didn't sample the beers as I was designated drive but did have one of the local reds. All good. Let's start with the staff. Very friendly, they just want your experience to be memorable. You can graze indoors or out. Being warmish we chose outside looking out over the main road. Not a bad spot as traffic was light and therefore no disturbing noise or petrol fumes. Before you plonk you buttocks down take a walk down the mains street. There is other eateries and I'm sure all good.
The drinks selection is extensive enough to satisfy most with, of course, the beer being the product you should try. Though I had none over lunch we did take away a four bottle sample pack of 500ml delights. The menu provided enough choices with the four of us all having something different. And what of the food? No complaints at my table. The four of us are real foodies and swing from fine dinning to quick café eating. Just one minor comment about the food; I had the ocean eight-legged bubble-headed wonder. Though tasty tough to chew, try something else.
Parking is off street and plenty of it. Just a very pleasant and friendly place to eat, old world feel, serene with lush surroundings and something different. From Melbourne it is a two hour drive and even if you are staying on the coast expect a one hour drive through hills. But then that's part of the fun, not that my three car sick passengers (winding hills and empty stomachs) will agree.
The drinks selection is extensive enough to satisfy most with, of course, the beer being the product you should try. Though I had none over lunch we did take away a four bottle sample pack of 500ml delights. The menu provided enough choices with the four of us all having something different. And what of the food? No complaints at my table. The four of us are real foodies and swing from fine dinning to quick café eating. Just one minor comment about the food; I had the ocean eight-legged bubble-headed wonder. Though tasty tough to chew, try something else.
Parking is off street and plenty of it. Just a very pleasant and friendly place to eat, old world feel, serene with lush surroundings and something different. From Melbourne it is a two hour drive and even if you are staying on the coast expect a one hour drive through hills. But then that's part of the fun, not that my three car sick passengers (winding hills and empty stomachs) will agree.
Friday, December 23, 2016
The Atlantic - South Bank, Victoria
There should not be one bad restaurant in the South Bank complex. No matter which of the top restaurants you chose you should expect two things: high price and the best food and service you can get. None of the better restaurants have a problem with over-charging and some deliver on the money, others?
We dined at The Atlantic recently and came away very disappointed. They had no problem over-charging but had real problems in the kitchen. The food was very sub-standard not what I would expect from this area. We have dinned at South Bank many times. As you are well aware I rarely comment on the food (I'm not a food critic) except to make very general comments. But to press a point I will comment on my supposedly wood smoked Kingfish. Firstly there was only one very small piece of the fish which had any "smokey" flavours or aroma. And secondly the fish was mush! Wet mush. I'm not sure what you have to do to a piece of fish to break the texture down to soggy cardboard but that's what it was.
My wife also said every part of her meal, including vegetables and salad was very poor quality. These guys should be sacked from South Bank. On reading other comments, on other blogs others have made, at least half of them are very derogatory. Comments from bad service, bad food and over-charging. I am not the only one who has had a lousy experience here. STAY AWAY!!! Find the local Mc Donalds if you enjoy bad food. The food maybe bad but it will be right priced.
We dined at The Atlantic recently and came away very disappointed. They had no problem over-charging but had real problems in the kitchen. The food was very sub-standard not what I would expect from this area. We have dinned at South Bank many times. As you are well aware I rarely comment on the food (I'm not a food critic) except to make very general comments. But to press a point I will comment on my supposedly wood smoked Kingfish. Firstly there was only one very small piece of the fish which had any "smokey" flavours or aroma. And secondly the fish was mush! Wet mush. I'm not sure what you have to do to a piece of fish to break the texture down to soggy cardboard but that's what it was.
My wife also said every part of her meal, including vegetables and salad was very poor quality. These guys should be sacked from South Bank. On reading other comments, on other blogs others have made, at least half of them are very derogatory. Comments from bad service, bad food and over-charging. I am not the only one who has had a lousy experience here. STAY AWAY!!! Find the local Mc Donalds if you enjoy bad food. The food maybe bad but it will be right priced.
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