IL Forno - Hampton, Victoria

IL Forno means "the oven". Great name for a restaurant. Hampton is well known for nice dining houses and with in-laws living in the area we find ourselves up this way more often. Nice modern feel though I felt the many family photos on one wall a little too much. The shop front is narrow, lookout for the entry. Street parking is possible but I would imagine on busy nights few spots will be found. I managed to park right out front, just lucky I guess.

You will not be crammed in here, there is good space between tables. Our waiter and possibly owner or part owner was knowledgeable and friendly and guided us through the many specials and dishes available. Most of us had different meals. The wine list is sufficient and the ordering of a beer was meant with a prompt coldie.  The food though was a bit of a let down. This was also felt by some others at our table. I rarely detail the food but when I ordered the Italian sardines I has met with a disappointing deep fried sardine mush filled croquet. I was expecting fish on my plate. And the pasta with pork belly ragout was pasta with a few knobs of pork mince. I had to even hut for the mince.

Without downing this pleasant looking establishment too much I would suggest you look elsewhere. The meals just did match an otherwise good looking restaurant which had all the promise. To say it was OK and not great is being kind. On the up side if you were wooing a partner a romantic meal would be on the cards here, just as long as you are not food critics.

La Foglia - Milano, Italy

We were staying just around the corner from La Foglia at the excellent Mozart Hotel and managed to dine here on two occasions. Both times it was for dinner and both times it was very enjoyable. This boutique restaurant is, from what I could see, a young husband and wife concern. The lady up front and hubby rattling the pots and pans. Our hostess sounded French to me but English was no problem. Service is warm and friendly but still efficient. No long waits.

The meals are definitely Italian and serves are generous. There is a huge selection of wine from many styles, over a wide price range and all on display. Jump up and grab your own. We found two great drinks at reasonable prices. Don't be to surprised to see a dog under the table. This appears to be the done thing in Europe. If you are staying nearby you must eat here. Food is excellent and good value and don't be surprised if you find yourself back here the next day or night.

Noir - Richmond, Victoria

“Black is black, I want my baby back”. Los Bravos had a hit in 1967 called “Black is Black”. If you want your Veal Parmigiana then don’t visit Noir in Richmond Victoria. Nestled right in the heart of Richmond and on Swan Street. “decored” in a very sombre black Noir is not you big eater’s paradise. No Parmas here baby

Give me five! And that’s what you get. Five courses of tastes, textures and flavours (sorry Teks I just had to say it). Titbits, nibbles and savouries. Thank God for wine. The dinning is fine. Very fine and not to disappoint. Service is fine and very fine and not to disappoint. Food quality is fine and very fine and not to disappoint.

You do not have to go the five courses and I may suggest you don’t. For us quantity was low but other courses may fill. Wine is fine. Very fine and WILL NOT disappoint. If Black is Black then here is where your baby is if not the local may be grey since she went away.

OK but not convinced, Mark.

The Parlor, Milkbar and Kitchen - Beaumaris, Victoria

How many times have you wished there was a restaurant just around the corner where you could simply walk there and have a meal or a few drinks. That’s it, leave the car at home, enjoy the stroll, meal and good company and then wander home after. No booze-bus fears if you kick on, no parking issues or having to pay for packing if you can get it at all. What if the added bonus is this ideal little establishment serves fine food, inside or outside, with drinks prices held at a reasonable level and staff who are friendly and knowledgeable.

Wait there is more. Italian food is on my list of favorite cuisines and this fantasy, neighborhood, wine bar, milk bar, café, restaurant, eat house happens to specialise in YOUR fav. food. Too good to be true? Your good friends, who you love to dine with, share a meal with, have a drink with, and holiday with, just happy to live nearby.  You could meetup, stroll to this idyllic “feel good” place, enjoy time together, feel content and satisfied with great quality food of generous proportions and not have to sell your first born to pay your way. Fortunately my sister-in-law and her husband live near such a place in Beaumaris – The Parlor.

Volpino - Mount Martha, Mornington Peninsula

Feel like a drive to the pleasant little shopping village on Mount Martha beach. You will be greeted with easy car parking and host of shops of all varieties including a number of cafés and restaurants. Looking for better food with a strong Italian influence then you must try Volpino. A Pizza and Wine type of eatery but don’t let this stop you ordering one of the many other mains. For me it was the Rockling followed by the Chilli Chocolate cake.

There is a decent menu and entrée, mains and dessert are well covered. Take a look also at the specials. My food was excellent and the drop of Tassy white I had just finished it off nicely. Wait staff and bar staff, including owners, are all friendly and happy to have a short chat. Being across the road from the beach I can imagine during holidays and in the warmer months, this place will be packed. You can book online and if it is warm and not too winding book for outside. Good food and a pleasant location  - definitely worth the drive.

The Winey Cow - Mornington, Mornington Peninsula

Strange name but an excellent place for a big lunch, a snack, a coffee and cake or a wine. Not sure where the "Cow" comes in but maybe because steak is on the menu. I have no idea exactly how many restaurants line main street Mornington but it is a ridiculously large number. Add to the ridiculous number all the cafes, fast food stores, ice cream parlors in side streets and lane ways and it may well be the biggest concentration of gastronomic outlets on planet earth. Don't believe me, take the walk yourself.

While you are counting drop into The Winey Cow for a feed. Inside or out this is a very nice little cafe\restaurant to do some serious carbs loading. We ate with two others and all meals looked sensational. Better still all means tasted sensational. That's two out of two and possibly the only two real issues which matter. Service was reasonable and friendly and we got a table outside. They don't take booking, they don't need to. Just rock-up 30mins before you want to eat because you may have to wait for a seat. We didn't and got a top street spot.

Generally when cafes have live entertainment it is loud and awful. Not this time, Guitar Slim (my name for him not his name for him), kept the volume low and tunes easy. We only had mains but meals were good size and the food (as I have already said but well worth saying again) was top notch. Eat, drink, watch the human race stroll past while you get back in touch with nature by eating some of it. Forget the counting and Winey Cow yourself. I'm going back.

Ebenezer - Coffee and Wine - Black Rock, Victoria

How things cane change over the years. Where Sandringham and Brighton use to be "the place to live" but always too expensive, Black Rock was the place to go.  Now Black Rock on the beach has bloomed and has become the Lygon Street of the beach-side suburbs. Cafes a plenty line what use to be a very ordinary Beach Road front right near the clock. And a great eating strip it is too with lots of variety.

Bigger changes have occurred for one corner store. What many years ago was a chemist, run by a very friendly proprietor, turned florist and is now a restaurant.  Ebenezer, run be a also very friendly Uruguayan,  and his Manchester staff member, will serve you up some very nice food. Inside or out the dining and ambiance are fine. Outside you sit right up against Beach Road over looking the bay and underneath the clock. It can be a little noisy and a little windy but pick the right day and good food and a good time will be had by all.

We were out with our fine dinning in-laws and went for shared dished for four for entree. Then mains followed. If you are a big eater there is plenty of food. You will not go hungry. Depending when you dine there is street parking so problems there. The wine and beer list is extensive enough for even the pickiest drinker and the menu just sufficient for selections. Make a booking or take pot luck. There are six other eateries if you can't get in. Can't speak for the others but Ebenezer is a good bet.