Ombar Salumi Bar - Melbourne

We are surely blessed living in Melbourne. So many fine restaurants, diners and eateries, almost too many to choose from. On a recent visit to the big smoke I had gone with the intent to dine out, try somewhere new and enjoy the diversity.  I train in on these days because I expect to have more than few drinks. I go for not only the food but the enjoyment of being able to soak in the atmosphere without the fear of Mr. Plod tapping on the window of my car with breathalyzer to the ready.

I headed straight to the east side of Melbourne up Burke Street. I have eaten up this way on a few occasions. In fact I realised, while seated in the window of Ombar, I had eaten next door just a few years back. That experience was excellent but what of this one? Food - Italian, how bad can it be? As it turns out not bad at all, in fact, quite good.

Staff are friendly and will linger for a short chat of service allows. This restaurant is long and thin with subdued lighting with stools and chest high tables. Not for everyone but for me it was the window seat to watch the human traffic go past. Always amusing!  I went for the trout and if you go you should too. A good portion, boned and delicious. Rarely I do desert but this time I did, also excellent.

Pricing is about right but it isn't McDonalds or the local pub. If only the local served trout like this I'd be there weekly. Drinks list is sufficient and drinks can be ordered by the ml??? Have you ever heard of this one before. Designed to maximize the profit on drinks as if it isn't already a big rip-off.

You never know ordering your drink by the "ml" might become trendy. Now for my beef. The BLOODY music was absolute shite! A modern, almost trendy, inner Melbourne Italian restaurant playing 60 back soul and R&B music. Pathetic. When I made mention of the fine food and crap music I was told they were giving the restaurant a modern feel. That's right, Ray Charles and Little Richard screaming black music in your ear, over lunch, is a modern feel. Hard to believe. Who told these guys this is how to wow your paying customers. Too bad food was really delicious. Sorry guys its a deal breaker for me. Last time you'll see my $100.

The Shed Cafe - Seaford, Victoria

When you find your better restaurant closed on a Saturday morn. you then search locally for another. The one we wanted as our substitute breakfast Café was packed. Get it, it was packed? Why? Because it is good. Yes it has good food. Service is a bit "how's your father" but food is better than average. We headed down the road. We found The Shed Café.  Let's cut to the chase. Food is ordinary to poor. Décor is a half ass attempt at something, not sure what. Sit outside, in the front or out the back. The food will not get better but here is dog bowls of water out front.

Staff were friendly, parking is available. Food for both my wife and self didn't "WOW" us. What of the coffee? According to some comments posted for this café coffee is good, Not according to my senor coffee expert I had along for the day (mind you we came in her car so I had to be nice). No, not even the coffee was good.

What to do? Eat house competition is huge anywhere and every where you go in the hospitality industry. Eating out was always popular now it is an epidemic! There are dozens of restaurants and cafes everywhere. Great I say. Hunt them out, don't put up with poor food or service whether you are having breakfast, lunch or dinner. No more rubbery omelettes or under cooked mushrooms. We are going to vote with our legs and walk. Improve the food quality and cooking "The Shed Café" or you will be dining with us, just down the road.

il Solito Posto - Melbourne,Vic

Boy you would have to go a long way to find an Italian restaurant that looks more out of the 60s or 70s than this one. Its subterranean, its in the cool\trendy part of Melbourne, it has real "eating house" savvy. And just a little quirky and setting you up for an genuine I-t-a-l-i-a-n meal you will tell your friends about.

Tell your friends to stay away. Tell them not to go to il Solito Posto. Food was bloody ordinary. If ever there was a place that said, no SCREAMED Italy, it was this one. Why, why. why. Yes they have their dailies who "have a table" and eat there - I say "look around". The grass and food is greener else where. Service was attentive and professional but I feel that it was so to get cover two  in ASAP. I have eaten there some years back and felt back then the whole experience was better.

What a disappointment for a place that has all the potential to be "the spot" for a lunch. Bring the client and sign the deal! A lot of clients may not be all that fussy with what they are eating and to printout that the food wasn't full of Italian flavours and the salad, as a side, was drowning in far too much oil may not work in your favour. Please don't highlight that the six sprinkles of parmesan was to offset the poor oily, sparse and almost insulting side.

Not for me.