400 Gradi
ITALIAN
99 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK
(03) 9380 2320 • MAP P.288
LICENSED
OPEN WED–SUN 6PM–11PM
ENTREES $9–$25.50, MAINS $17.50–$26.50, DESSERTS $12.50–$14.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
This authentic pizzeria started its days in a shoebox-sized space and, though it’s grown into bigger, more modern surrounds, it still retains every bit of its charm – from the pasta-making machine in the shiny steel kitchen to the chefs attending the wood-fire oven (built brick by brick by a man from Naples). Though the classic pasta dishes like meatballs and linguine siciliana will make your belly rumble, it’s the innovative pizzas, beautifully presented on chopping boards, that most people come here for. Seafood lovers will rejoice at the frutti di mare: huge mussels and succulent prawns on a simple tomato and rocket base. It’s highly recommended by the owner, who often walks around chatting to his patrons when it’s quiet. Candles and little bottles of olive oil and sweet balsamic line the tables, jogging ever so slightly when trams rattle past outside. Wines from Tuscany, Sicily and Piemonte help set the mood. It’s where Italians, young and old, come to talk shop. But where everyone, even if solo, is made to feel welcome.
Abruzzo Club
ITALIAN
377 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST
(03) 9387 5955 • MAP P.288
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–FRI & SUN NOON–2PM, 6PM–9.30PM, SAT 6PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $4.50–$19, MAINS $17.90–$39.50, DESSERTS $6–$9
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
You get the feeling that not much has changed since a group of immigrants from the east of Rome started this sporting club back in 1967. The dining room is spacious, surrounded by floor-length cream curtains, and dotted with tables topped by starched linen. You wouldn’t be surprised if Aldo, the effervescent head waiter, was serving tables back then too, such are his charm and good humour. Diners tend to be of the older, Italian variety, but you shouldn’t let the old-fashioned atmosphere put you off, because the food here is really special. Both the fettuccine and gnocchi – sublime, light-as-afeather pillows – are homemade, and the latter is the perfect accompaniment to the slow-cooked ragu, with its tender chunks of pork and beef. Grilled seafood is another speciality, and the specials board mainly comprises whatever was best at the market that morning. Or you can go totally old school and order trippa (tripe). Kids are welcome too, especially during Sunday lunch, when the place is full of feasting families.
Bar Idda
SICILIAN
132 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST
(03) 9380 5339 • MAP P.288
LICENSED
OPEN MON–SAT 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $7–$13.50, MAINS $14–$21.50, DESSERTS $6–$9
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
From the food to the staff to the ambience, Bar Idda is pure Sicilian. With red and green stained-glass windows, beautiful wooden floors and cute plastic tablecloths flapping in the wind outside, tiny Bar Idda is a welcoming and atmospheric place to dine. The tables in this unpretentious restaurant are packed in tightly, with many diners choosing to perch at the bar instead. The menu is compact. Divided into four sections – firsts, seconds, sides and desserts – each course has just seven options. The food is designed to share, so pick and choose from each course and be prepared to graze across the meal. Crowd-pleasers include the siccia a la fucularu, Bar Idda’s barbecued pork and fennel sausage, and the fried and fresh salami with smoked formaggio. Vegetarians will struggle, though they do have one or two dishes. Don’t go past the granita for a light end to the meal. The wine list is longer than the menu and includes many Sicilian wines and dessert wines, including a decent house white and red served by the litre (or half!).
Bistro Flor
FRENCH/ITALIAN
555 NICHOLSON STREET, CARLTON NORTH
(03) 9381 4443 • MAP P.287
LICENSED
OPEN WED–FRI 6PM–11PM, SAT & SUN 10AM–11PM
ENTREES $6–$14, MAINS $26–$35, DESSERTS $10–$12
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Bistro Flor embraces the true spirit of the bistro. Enter this quaint corner establishment and step back through the passage of time. The forty-seat space is cosy and enchanting, with dark wooden tables and U-backed chairs huddled together on the terrazzo floor. Heavy moss-green curtains decorate the windows and for the walls, large antiquated mirrors. All it needs is a thick haze of cigarette smoke wafting across the room for a true nod to a bygone bistro era. The old-world sentiments extend to the menu with an emphasis on hearty European-style dishes. Order the twice-cooked confit duck with witlof, raisins and orange to ponder the Parisian way of life. Or to recall an amorous adventure in Italy pick the rotolo of pumpkin, spinach and goat’s cheese with basil pesto. The dessert menu continues the comfort food theme with classics like crème brûlée, panna cotta, poached pears and tarte tatin. Let the friendly staff guide you through the impressive selection of bottles from Bordeaux and beyond. This little local gem also serves brunch on the weekends.
The Boathouse
CONTEMPORARY
7 THE BOULEVARD, MONEE PONDS
(03) 9375 2456 • MAP P.300
LICENSED
OPEN MON–FRI 9AM–LATE, SAT & SUN 8.30AM–LATE
ENTREES $4–$15, MAINS $24–$38, DESSERTS $10.50–$15
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Trek down the path lined with palm trees and views of the Maribyrnong River and you will finally reach a warehousestyle watering hole. Stop when you see a rowboat on top of a large tin establishment. Fitting in with the rowing clubs along the Maribyrnong, the Boathouse features a decorative thick straw roof, polished concrete floors, large windows and, adding to the maritime feel, a large sailor’s steering wheel. The staff provide a relaxed, semi-casual experience whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and head chef Angelo Sanfilippo does not disappoint on the food front, leading the team in whipping up his renowned Mediterranean-inspired wood-fire pizzettas. If you’re after something more substantial, there’s a hearty list of dishes, including the confit duck with butter beans, smoked bacon and garlic potatoes, and the twelve-hour braised lamb with smoked eggplant, cous cous and kasundi chutney. Or order a table full of share plates. There’s also a large bar that comes in handy on Friday and Saturday nights for those looking for a chilled place to hang out.
Cafe Bedda
SICILIAN
242 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9482 9420 • MAP P.289
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–SUN 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $4.50–$12, MAINS $16–$29, DESSERTS $4.50–$12
VISA, MC
Trends in food come and go but the beauty of Cafe Bedda is its timelessness. The restaurant’s sole intention is to offer an authentic Sicilian dining experience and it does this sincerely and without fuss. The menu is written in Sicilian and part of the experience here is having the specials board translated by the friendly waiters. Interior design is straight out of la casa dal nonna: whitewashed brick walls, ’70s lampshades and a chequerboard floor. It’s comfortable, not cutting-edge, and attracts a vibrant mix of diners of all ages. By 9pm it’s a full house and can get pretty noisy. Bedda’s modest interior reflects its cuisine, which is unadulterated Sicilian home cooking. The foods are seasonally selected. Colourful fennel and orange salad is a freshener between carb-rich mains of cheesy gnocchi and wood-fire pizza. Italian and local wines are quaffable by the glass. Top tips: always check out the specials board and leave room for dessert.
Café Zum Zum
LEBANESE
645 RATHDOWNE STREET, CARLTON NORTH
(03) 9348 0455 • MAP P.287
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A HEAD
OPEN TUES 6PM–10PM, WED–SUN NOON–3PM, 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $10–$16, MAINS $21–$28, DESSERTS $5–$8, BANQUETS $40
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
The star at Café Zum Zum is the food. Like most Middle Eastern meals, Lebanese dishes are made to be eaten communally, so order a bunch of dishes to share or choose the banquet and allow the chef to decide. The food combines subtle but intense flavours with interesting textures, offering a modern take on traditional Lebanese food. Your favourites are all here, and done so well – stuffed vine leaves, lamb kebabs, tabbouleh, falafel, kibbe and fried haloumi. The mahalabia custard dessert is outstanding. As with many Middle Eastern eateries, vegetarians are welcome and well catered for. Although there is a wine list, Rathdowne Cellar is right across the road, making BYO a popular and recommended option. Though a little on the austere side, the decor is pure Arabic, with mosaic tiles, Persian rugs and Middle Eastern light fittings. It’s small and noisy, but that just adds to Zum Zum’s considerable charm, and the outdoor seating is popular in summer. Bookings are recommended but takeaway is available if you don’t want to wait for a table.
The Estelle
EUROPEAN
243 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9489 4609 • MAP P.289
LICENSED
OPEN TUES-FRI NOON-LATE, SAT & SUN 9AM-LATE
ENTREES $3.50-$15, MAINS $21-$28, DESSERTS $9–$24
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Soft pink, grey and black hues, like those in a good 1950s housewife’s kitchen, transports the Estelle to a far more civilised era, when garden parties were all the rage and matching your art deco wall tiles to your crockery was par for the course. Go along for the ride and you’ll enjoy old-fashioned good service, delicious food and a barely perceptible hint of kooky (note the knitted hanging meats hanging from butcher’s hooks along the wall). Dishes arrive from an open kitchen with artful presentation – petite in portion, but grand in impact. The daily potted meat, served with chargrilled sourdough, for starters, is an institution among locals, along with off-beat, interesting options like white anchovies with pickled beetroot and potatoes roasted in duck fat, confit garlic and thyme. Cocktails abound for daytime fun on the astroturf out back; try the Estelle sangria, a soft and fruity red wine mixed with citrus and crushed ice and topped with lemonade. With Estelle as your hostess, you needn’t choose between style and substance.
TOP 10 DATE NIGHTS
SOME VENUES CATER TO DATING DINERS BETTER THAN OTHERS. THESE INTIMATE RESTAURANTS ARE STAFF ED WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE, HELPFUL WAITERS WHO WON’T GET BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DATE.
This dimly lit and cosy tapas bar tucked up the top end of Little Collins Street is a delight for daters wanting to get a little closer. The menu is ideal for sharing, the drinks lists is broad and the vast array of bric-a-brac dotted around the bar means you’ll never be short of conversation.
Few venues convey the romance of the Melbourne laneway culture quite like this little piece of colonial-era rustica, with its exposed brickwork, black and white photography and bentwood chairs. Perfect for an after-dinner nightcap too.
Always packed yet entirely unbookable, this dimly lit and moody shopfront eatery serves superb contemporary cuisine along with more than 200 bottles of wine and twenty by the glass. Sexy and indulgent.
The dedicated, professional service of Melbourne’s premier Cantonese restaurant will impress your date as much as the signature Peking duck and your ability to secure a booking at this fine dining institution.
Effortlessly stylish, Grossi Florentino has been serving dating diners for decades. From the leatherbound menus to the creamy tiramisu served at the table, Grossi Florentino will seduce you and your date.
The menus are wrapped in string, and the tasty morsels are spectacularly presented, like gifts from the artistic chefs in the kitchen. Plum wine is a warming accompaniment to meals and the staff are attentive.
With its animal trinkets and faux-grass courtyard Merricote is as cute as pie. The menu is short but solid, the presentation is gorgeous and its proximity to the Westgarth cinemas makes it great for a pre-movie date.
Daily oysters shucked to order, snails in garlic butter, a ribeye steak for two, chocolate mousse with cherry sorbet for dessert and Mirka Mora’s artwork all make for a memorable night out.
The Middle Eastern food here is cooked with love, the dishes are designed for sharing and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Desserts don’t get more romantic than mint tea and Turkish delight.
Breathtaking views, friendly and accommodating staff who don’t get in your way, and a mouth-watering menu. Sails on the Bay is a lovely spot to watch the sun go down over Port Phillip Bay.
Everest
INDIAN
85 STATION STREET, FAIRFIELD
(03) 9482 2583 • MAP P.301
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2.50 A HEAD
OPEN SAT–WED 5.30PM–10.30PM, THURS & FRI 11.30AM–2.30PM, 5.30PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $5.50–$17.50, MAINS $13.50–$25.50, DESSERTS $6–$9.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
If it’s good enough for the Little Master … You have to wonder how many people have thought that, gazing at the photos of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Anil Kumble on the walls at Everest. The restaurant has other endorsements, though, often featuring in best-of lists. The decor is a cut above most Indian eateries – light and bright, with splashes of jewel-bright colour – and there’s even a fashionable wine bar attached if you arrive early. The food is the drawcard, though: the woodland mushrooms, brushed with spicy yoghurt and cooked in the tandoor, are a must, as is the prawn kadaiwala, a house speciality of garlic kings in a sauce of capsicum, tomato and ginger. Vegetarians are really well catered for, with at least half the menu made up of meat-free dishes (including bindi do piaza, a seasonal okra dish). The service can be a bit scatty – thricerequested water finally arrived when one member of our dining trio went red after ingesting a chilli lurking in the beef vindaloo – but the waiters are patient with littlies. Bookings essential.
Hellenic Republic
GREEK
434 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST
(03) 9381 1222 • MAP P.288
LICENSED
OPEN MON–THURS 5.30PM–LATE, FRI NOON–4PM, 5.30PM–LATE, SAT & SUN 9AM–4PM, 5.30PM–LATE
ENTREES $8.50–$20, MAINS $17–$26, DESSERTS $3–$14.50, BANQUETS $58
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Another in the empire of celebrity chef George Calombaris, Hellenic Republic has reinvigorated the traditional Greek taverna for a new generation. Along with head chef Tavis McCaulay, Calombaris has pulled together a broad menu from right across Greece, served in season and simply to allow the produce to shine. Clean and modern, the restaurant is decorated with Greek classics: crayfish pots hang from the ceiling like rustic chandeliers and the bar is reminiscent of a 1970s blonde-brick ‘wog palace’. Thoroughly Greek, this dining hall is loud and boisterous when it’s full. Certainly the best way to experience this social cuisine is over a banquet with friends – allowing you to sample right across their menu, from their tender meats to silky taramosalata served with warm pita bread, traditional anchovies and kingfish and the deliciously melty saganaki with marinated figs, which tastes like Christmas pudding.
Iku Yakitori
JAPANESE
139 SYDNEY ROAD, BRUNSWICK
(03) 9380 4027 • MAP P.288
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A HEAD
OPEN MON–THURS 6PM–LATE, FRI–SUN 5PM–LATE
ENTREES $4.50–$13, MAINS $7–$35, BANQUETS $32–$48
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
For several years now, Iku has been the best Japanese place on Sydney Road, a casual, classy eatery that is ever popular with the Brunswick locals. Forgo the Western-style seating and sit cross-legged at the traditional sunken tables – you’ll feel for a moment like you’re in Japan. For the uninitiated, yakitori is a traditional Japanese appetiser – chicken skewers marinated and barbecued. Here, yakitori is an essential part of the menu, but it’s also only the beginning. Iku also serves all the usual Japanese fare, including lovely gyoza dumplings, okonomiyaki pancakes, maki rolls, nigiri, miso, sashimi, udon dishes, thick curries and teriyaki. While Sydney Road’s gentrification has seen some newer and more exciting offerings open up on the strip, Iku is a perennial favourite, even if it is a bit pricey. If you’re having trouble deciding what to order, they also offer a series of convenient and reasonably priced banquets, and an extensive menu of sake and Japanese beer to wash it all down.
Joe Green
ITALIAN
2A MITCHELL STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9481 5554 • MAP P.289
LICENSED
OPEN TUES 7.30AM–4PM, WED–SUN 7.30AM–10PM
ENTREES $7–$18, MAINS $16.50–$30, DESSERTS $6.50–$9
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
What do you do with a corrugated warehouse just off Northcote’s busy High Street? Well, you paint it black, turn it into a comfortable, hip restaurant and call it Joe Green, of course. The food here is southern Italian, the kind of threeingredient meals that stand and fall on the chef’s skill and the quality of the produce. A high-risk strategy unless the proprietor knows what they’re doing and, after Joe Vacirca’s success at Cafe Bedda, it would seem he does. The chalkboard menu focuses on house-made pastas, grilled seafood, woodoven pizzas and small sharing plates perfect for mid-afternoon get-togethers. There is an impressive selection of European beers and ciders – some undiscovered by even the most well-drunk connoisseur. This is all best enjoyed relaxing at a street-side table in the sun or on the tables inside among the local art, eclectic oddities and books scattered around the dining room. Joe Green is a perfect fit for the new wave of Northcote residents: gentrified eccentrics who know their food.
The Kent
CONTEMPORARY
370 RATHDOWNE STREET, CARLTON NORTH
(03) 9347 5672 • MAP P.287
LICENSED
OPEN MON–THURS NOON–MIDNIGHT, FRI & SAT NOON–1AM, SUN NOON–11PM
ENTREES $15–$26, MAINS $20–$34, DESSERTS $10–$15
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Overlooking sweet little Curtin Square Park and the quiet beauty of Rathdowne Street, the Kent is the perfect place to sit on a warm night and watch the world go by. The interior is all wooden simplicity, and big windows open wide to let the light shine in, but the outside tables are the place to be. At night things can get a bit rowdy by the bar, but there’s often a pram or two with a sleeping child inside as well. The little tackers must be pretty tired from all that playing in the park, because the noise does bounce around all the flat surfaces in here. The menu is a kind of Mediterranean-influenced modern Australian, with pizzas, pastas, saganaki, steak and fish and chips among the choices up for grabs. Upmarket for pub grub, but not exactly ‘gastro’, you’ll get a good, reliable, relatively large and relatively well-priced feed at the Kent. But mostly, it’s all about location, location, location.
La Luna Bistro
MEDITERRANEAN
320 RATHDOWNE STREET, CARLTON NORTH
(03) 9349 4888 • MAP P.287
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–FRI NOON–3PM, 6PM–10PM, SAT & SUN NOON–4PM, 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $4.20–$24.50, MAINS $20–$50, DESSERTS $15–$30, BANQUETS $85
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Head chef and owner Adrian Richardson knows a thing or two about beef. Not only does he age his own on the premises, but he also offers a wide variety of cuts cooked to perfection (although he’ll always suggest going down the medium-rare route – ‘less is more’ rings true in this intimate venue). La Luna is an ideal destination for a date (of the friendly or romantic variety), dinner with parents or simply a solo splurge. In the summer months, with a glass of wine and some freshly shucked oysters, a table on the footpath is a great place to sit and watch the world float by; the cooler months are enjoyed inside, espying the hustle and bustle of the kitchen through an open door, or chatting with the sociable staff. Pork, lamb, duck and fish feature on the menu, along with some ‘shared’ meals (the super-succulent lamb shoulder is a must), a six-course set menu, and some excellent sides and salads. Vegetarian options are limited, the wine list is extensive, and dessert is not to be missed.
Merricote
EUROPEAN
81 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9939 4762 • MAP P.289
LICENSED
OPEN TUES & WED 5.30PM–10PM, THURS–SAT NOON–2.30PM, 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $7–$18, MAINS $27–$29, DESSERTS $12–$15
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
This local shopfront bistro near the Merri Creek in Northcote may not have the most original name, but its European-style nouveau cuisine with a seasonal focus is sure to please. Chef-owned and -operated Merricote is cosy, simply designed and a welcome addition to the Westgarth strip, attracting locals and travellers alike. The menu is refreshingly short but enticing, featuring a selection of delicately cooked fish, meats and vegetables with interesting additions, creatively presented. Sample a selection of snacks or try an entree before moving on to the larger dishes, as the mains may not sate a demanding appetite on their own. Most of the dishes, however, are satisfyingly provocative and allow room for another reasonably priced glass of wine or an equally tempting, deconstructed dessert. The Merricote experience is clean, modern and civilised; impatient diners may find it a little slow and shy diners may feel exposed if sitting near the front window, but the friendly service and innovative cuisine will hearten those with a taste for fresh, seasonal fancies.
Metropolis Eating House
FRENCH
314 SYDNEY ROAD, BRUNSWICK
(03) 9388 8730 • MAP P.288
WWW.METROPOLIS-EATING-HOUSE.COM.AU
LICENSED
OPEN TUES 5.30PM–LATE, WED–SAT 11AM–4.30PM, 5.30PM–LATE, SUN 11AM–4.30PM
ENTREES $9.50–$16, MAINS $16–$33, DESSERTS $15, DEGUSTATION $62
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Put on your fur and pearls and dine out at Metropolis Eating House – a French fusion restaurant in the former Metropolis House Ballroom. Entry is via a magnificent sweeping staircase and, inside the restaurant, mirrors and red and gold wallpaper line a room that can only be described as vast. Chef Gabriel Martin, having left his Essendon home Maisonette, has done his best to give this enormous venue an intimate feel, with sofas for a pre-dinner kir royale, banquette seating, bijou tables and a bar. The octagonal dancefloor and two stained-glass skylights are largely as they were in the 1950s, when debutantes no doubt mopped the stains of less delicious food off their party dresses. Everyone speaks French here, but the dishes skate around the world – five-spice quail with scallops, salmon with nori skin and white asparagus, yabbies and sweetbread, a red curry prawn and pork sausage roll. Martin’s enthusiasm for flavour is occasionally misguided but mostly inspired, and totally, utterly infectious.
Next Door Diner
CONTEMPORARY
204 ST GEORGES ROAD, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9939 1350 • MAP P.289
LICENSED
OPEN WED–SAT 5.30PM–11PM, SUN NOON–11PM
ENTREES $8–$16, MAINS $16–$25, DESSERTS $8–$12
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Next Door Diner is a quirky restaurant: semi-industrial with exposed brick walls, packed full of chic recycled furniture, including lamps painted by local artists and a bar made from an old bowling alley. Utterly charming, it’s instantly welcoming, and the space is well utilised, with different seating configurations for various dining requirements, including bar stools in the window and a big communal table. The seasonal menu is sourced from speciality Victorian producers and prides itself on sustainability, but diners return again and again because the food is just so damn good. Ideally designed to share, the menu is modern Australian with European influences, featuring slow-cooked dishes that allow the skill of chef Leilani Wolfenden and the quality of the ingredients to shine through. The one-page wine list confines itself to Australian wines only. Next Door Diner set itself up as a ‘local’ for Northcote dwellers, though it has become popular with diners from all corners of Melbourne. Its sister cafe, Breakfast Club, is right next door, and does a roaring trade in breakfast and lunch.
Otsumami
JAPANESE
257 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9489 6132 • MAP P.289
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–SUN 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $3–$16, MAINS $13–$19, DESSERTS $5–$8
VISA, MC, EF TPOS
The gentrification of Northcote and Thornbury is well represented by Otsumami, a Japanese restaurant on the ever-popular High Street. The interior is sparsely furnished, but for intricately carved wooden lightshades that hang from the ceiling, and the decor is calming, almost Zen, even if the packed restaurant isn’t. The sounds and smells of the open kitchen fill the space, where couples and small groups pick over favourites like nasu dengaku (eggplant grilled in sweet miso) and more unusual items such as kaki sashimi (oysters with citrus dressing and fresh daikon). The menu is cleverly split into three sections – small, medium and big dishes – and for the most part the food is traditional Japanese with a modern twist: a delicate mix of flavours which always comes beautifully presented. The restaurant is often booked out, even on weeknights, so it’s always best to call ahead. The back room features dimly lit traditional low Japanese tables for an authentic dining experience. A serious restaurant among the bustle of High Street.
Philhellene
GREEK
551–553 MOUNT ALEXANDER ROAD, MOO NEE PONDS
(03) 9370 3303 • MAP P.300
LICENSED
OPEN MON–WED & SAT 5.30PM–LATE, THURS & FRI NOON–3PM, 5.30PM–LATE, SUN NOON–LATE
ENTREES $8.50–$15.50, MAINS $24.50–$64, DESSERTS $6–$30, BANQUETS $48–$60
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
With its dark timber detailing, bentwood chairs, white tablecloths and exposed bricks, Philhellene is a homely Greek taverna with a modern touch. The menu is equally homely – not least because it’s the owner’s mum who helps out the back on family recipes that have been tested for generations. The cuisine is classic, not standard – accentuated with Middle Eastern and Cypriot flavours. The constantly changing specials board offers the most delight with traditional seasonal favourites, but the à la carte menu has its own highlights: made-by-mum silverbeet or vine leaf dolmades, frying cheeses Greek or Cypriot style, gourmet souvlakis and provincial variations on the Greek salad that includes beetroot or cabbage, currants, sumac and pomegranate dressing. At over $60 the mixed meat and seafood platters for two might seem pricey, but the hands behind Philhellene (ex Pireaus Blues) know how to do meat. Desserts are seasonal – ask one of the friendly staff to recommend a nightcap accompaniment.
Pizza Meine Liebe
PIZZA
231 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9482 7001 • MAP P.289
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $4 A HEAD
OPEN TUES–SAT 5.30PM–10PM, SUN 5.30PM–9.30PM
PIZZAS $12.50–$21, DESSERTS $3.50–$12.50
VISA, MC
A friend said of this restaurant, whose chef is Yelza alumnus Elena Bonnici, ‘There’s a reason why this place is printing money night after night.’ What he means is that Pizza Meine Liebe wasn’t the first terrific pizza restaurant to open northside, but it scoops top honours by nailing the game on all fronts. First there’s the space itself. Through a tiled ’60s shopfront in pristine condition, you enter a welcoming space with a chequerboard floor and whitewashed walls, which opens onto a smaller, rustic room, and then another, before arriving in the courtyard. Pizza toppings range from decadent (smoked salmon and mascarpone) to divine (simplest tomato sugo and mozzarella). The base is crispy and thin with some puffiness to hold the toppings, and gluten-free bases are available on Thursdays. With two sittings a night, Liebe is always bustling with groups, families and couples. Book a table in the front room amid the action, or the back room for intimacy – just don’t forget to book!
The Post Office Hotel
MIDDLE EASTERN/GASTROPUB
231 SYDNEY ROAD, COBURG
(03) 9386 5300 • MAP P.301
LICENSED
OPEN MON & TUES 6PM–9PM, WED–FRI 6PM–10PM, SAT & SUN NOON–10PM
ENTREES $17–$19, MAINS $27–$32, DESSERTS $14–$25
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Recently renovated, the Post Office Hotel does a roaring trade. And it’s really no wonder – the food is fantastic. Although located between the very lively bistro at the front and the cheerfully noisy beer garden out the back, the restaurant dining room feels like an oasis. It’s lit by numerous tea light candles, which create an ethereal glow that immediately relieves the tensions of the day. Gorgeous flocked wallpaper adds to a very luxurious feel. The menu stimulates the imagination and the tastebuds. There is a real sense of enjoyment and delight in the food – an obvious passion and respect for the unique characters of each ingredient. Innovative combinations of fresh ingredients are inspiring and mouth-watering. The dishes are designed to be shared, adding an intimacy to the evening. The staff enhance the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. Despite being very busy, when they serve you they are unhurried and attentive. Once you’ve savoured the delights of the Post Office Hotel restaurant, you’ll be back for more.
Rumi
MIDDLE EASTERN
116 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST
(03) 9388 8255 • MAP P.288
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–SUN 6PM–MIDNIGHT
ENTREES $4–$14, MAINS $19–$21, DESSERTS $4–$10.50
VISA, MC
Be sure to take a group of people whose number divides well into four, because the stand-off among three diners eyeing the fourth morsel on Rumi’s tapas-style mezze plates could well end in crossed forks. Paintings and cut-outs of Persian poet Rumi’s works line the walls, water arrives in fat-bellied glass pitchers (on sale in the gift shop) and dessert comes on ornate metal basket-trays. And the food … the food. Chef Joseph Abboud serves up quail, labne-stuffed dates, meatfilled pastry sigara boregi, halva, tisanes, meatballs, cheese and silverbeet dumplings, salads, rice, clove-spiced sausages, fried cauliflower and spiced lamb shoulder. The problem isn’t deciding what to order; it’s deciding what to leave out. Rumi’s waitstaff hover to refold your napkin and ask about dietary requirements, an unusual sight in a restaurant with such reasonable prices. That, and the amazing food, means you should book ahead or risk pressing your nose mournfully against the window glass.
Sigiri
SRI LANKAN
338 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9482 6114 • MAP P.289
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN TUES–SUN 6PM–11PM
ENTREES $6–$7, MAINS $10–$14, DESSERTS $6–$7.50, BANQUETS $27
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Unless you’ve been blessed with some sort of Sri Lankan heritage, it’s likely you haven’t tasted a traditional homecooked meal from the tear-shaped island. Lucky for us, that’s where Sigiri comes in. Many say that this popular family-run restaurant serves up the most authentic Sri Lankan food in Melbourne – from tender lamb, zingy tuna and okra curries with hints of cumin to lush pumpkin pieces in smooth coconut sauces. Then there are the sambols, which really pack a punch and are perfect with traditional ‘hoppers’: a type of rice flour cake with a fluffy centre and cupped, crunchy edges. Traditionally, vegetarian food dominates in parts of the country, so non-meat-eaters won’t be disappointed. All dishes come in modest sizes, so get several to share between you. Better yet, try the excellent-value banquet on Fridays and Saturdays (half-price for children under ten). It’s a warm and casual, if not a little bland, setting, but the scents of cloves and cinnamon emanating from the kitchen are more than enough to draw you in.
Sukhothai
THAI
490 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
(03) 9489 5551 • MAP P.289
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A BOTTLE
OPEN SAT–TUES 5PM–LATE, WED–FRI 11.30AM–2.30PM, 5PM–LATE
ENTREES $7–$18, MAINS $16.50–$30, DESSERTS $6.50–$9, BANQUETS $35–$55
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
We can add another wonder to the list of things that can be seen from the moon – the green glow of Sukhothai’s fluorescent signage. Northcote would be a much darker suburb without it. Dishing up Thai food from its High Street location for past twenty years, Sukhothai has had plenty of opportunity to get things right. The food is expertly cooked and full of flavour – stir-fried ginger and wood-ear mushroom pad king, tropical green salad, delicious speciality pad tom yum, slow-cooked curries and a revolving board of specials. Everything is made from scratch on the premises, using the best fresh ingredients available. The banquet meals are great value and offer a delicious way to sample the vast variety of Thai dishes available. Elaborately decorated with golden dragons, genuflecting statues, bamboo shoots and heavy wooden side tables, Sukhothai is comfortable and relaxing, perfect for either a big table full of friends or an intimate dinner for two under the leafy banana tree. And you should have no trouble finding it.
Tarin Thai
THAI
71 BURGUNDY STREET, HEIDELBERG
(03) 9457 6250 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A BOTTLE
OPEN SUN–THURS 6PM–10PM, FRI & SAT 6PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $3.50–$7.90, MAINS $13.90–$24.90, DESSERTS $6.90
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
If you’re after basic but traditional Thai without any kerfuffle then Tarin Thai is the place to go. You’ll find a simple design, creative dishes and a relaxed atmosphere every night of the week. This restaurant likes its red, from the tiles to the walls, chairs and even serviettes, which makes it a bright place to dine. The total glass frontage offers views of bustling Burgundy Street too. Traditional Thai artwork hangs on the walls, and the menu – made from light-coloured bark and embellished with metal decorations of Thai elephants – takes you back to Chiang Mai. Perfect for couples or intimate groups, Tarin offers all your classic Thai dishes and some variations on your favourite curries. It satisfies the fussiest diners and offers a large vegetarian menu, and you’ll even be sure to find something delicious for the kids. The friendly staff make for a very relaxed dinner, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just feel like heading out for a delicious dinner minus the fuss.
The Terminus Hotel
GASTROPUB
492 QUEENS PARADE, CLIFTON HILL
(03) 9481 3182 • MAP P.301
LICENSED
OPEN MON 5PM–11PM, TUES 5PM–MIDNIGHT, WED–FRI &SUN NOON–MIDNIGHT, SAT NOON–1AM
ENTREES $6.50–$14, MAINS $20–$36, DESSERTS $10–$12
VISA, MC, AMEX
From the outside, the Terminus Hotel looks like every other pub in Melbourne. The front bar has trivia nights, sticky carpet and spiffy lampshades. But out the back, past the ATM, lies a secret: a warm, cosy, stylish restaurant serving hearty gourmet dinners. Chef Matt Merrick splits the menu between pub favourites like parmas, beef burgers and fish and chips, and a stack of seasonal European-inspired dishes, like baby snapper with sauce vierge, lamb shanks or spanner crab risotto. Steaks take up a full quarter of the menu, and the specials are worth keeping an eye on just for the oysters. The rosemary fries are delicious, and desserts like panna cotta and Eton mess leave you in a happy coma by the end of the meal. Whether you opt for the bustling front bar or the restaurant with its open fireplace, brass chandeliers and bluestone walls, the Terminus is a great way to waste an evening.
Trapezi
GREEK
145B STATION STREET, FAIRFIELD
(03) 9489 0080 • MAP P.301
BYO, CORKAGE $5 A BOTTLE
OPEN TUES–SAT 6PM–LATE
ENTREES $7.50–$16.95, MAINS $19.95–$49.95, DESSERTS $6.95–$14.95
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Situated on the busy Station Street strip in Fairfield, Trapezi stands out for the quality and quantity of its Greek food. The front dining area is small and cheerful. It’s brightly lit and inviting, with bi-fold windows opening onto the street. Towards the back of the restaurant is a long dining room, which is perfect for private functions. The decor here is modern simplicity, but it’s easy to imagine that it comes alive when filled with people enjoying the easy, infectious hospitality. The real hero at Trapezi, however, is the food. The tzatziki alone will make your tastebuds dance the Zorba. While some Greek restaurants serve an abundance of meat dishes, Trapezi’s menu is more varied. Although meat still plays a starring role, the menu includes seafood, stuffed vegetables, rice wrapped in vine leaves, moussaka, cold and warm salads and saganaki. Still, the meat dishes in particular are delicious – succulent and full of flavour. Be warned, though – the servings are very generous, as is the spirit of Trapezi.
Yim Yam
THAI/LAO
12 MARGARET STREET, MOO NEE PONDS
(03) 9372 8585 • MAP P.300
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN SUN–WED 5.30PM–10PM, THURS–SAT 5.30PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $5.90–$10.90, MAINS $11.90–$23.90, DESSERTS $5.50–$7
VISA, MC, EF TPOS
LOCATION ALSO IN YARRAVILLE
Yim Yam’s slogan, ‘Authentic cuisine from both sides of the Mekong’, rings true in this Moonee Ponds jewel, so be sure not to overlook the tiny, intimate local retreat. Inside, one wall screens Thai sitcoms from a projector; the other features a quirky, oversized painting of cartoon Thai men and women enjoying items such as ‘Lucky Cola’ and ‘Scotties’. Peek into the kitchen to smell the wonderful scents of South-East Asia as the chefs whistle along to tunes while whipping up a storm. Drawing on both Thai and Lao traditions, head cook and founder Lylah Hatfield uses only the best and freshest ingredients. Having grown up on a prawn farm near Bangkok, she knows how to source, and cook, her seafood. Try the house special, Yum Yim Yam – banana blossoms with grilled prawns or tofu, tossed with coconut flakes and aromatic spices. Yim Yam offers some original dishes designed by Hatfield, as well as all the traditional curries, stir-fries, warm salads and soups. Vegan, gluten-free and children’s menus are also available upon request.
Zia Teresa
ITALIAN
90 LYGON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST
(03) 9380 1218 • MAP P.288
LICENSED
OPEN DAILY 6PM–11.30PM
ENTREES $15.50–$20.50, MAINS $19.50–$26.50, DESSERTS $11.50–$13.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Aside from their food and coffee, Italians are known for their hospitality – their warmth and ability to make you feel relaxed and welcome. Zia Teresa keeps this great Italian tradition alive. Greeting you with a smile, they make you feel like you’re entering their home rather than a restaurant. The charm of the decor reflects the cucina rustica of the menu. Authentic Italian food is simple by nature, and that’s its beauty. The food here is not your standard Italian fare and, while not cheap, it’s not pretentious either; it is elegantly simple with fresh, highquality ingredients. Pizza may appear on the specials board but isn’t part of the main fare. Go for a pasta dish, like gnocchi ai quattro formaggi or, for larger appetites, the oven-baked rabbit, slow-cooked in balsamic, wild onion sauce and garlic. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available; you just have to ask. Italians also have a reputation for resisting the frantic pace of life, so be prepared to enjoy a very leisurely meal here.