Afghan Village
AFGHAN
923 BURKE ROAD, CAMBERWELL
(03) 9882 2775 • MAP P.301
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $4 A BOTTLE
OPEN DAILY 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $9–$25.50, MAINS $16.50–$34, DESSERTS $5–$6, BANQUETS $35–$45
VISA, MC, EF TPOS
Afghan Village’s decor plays up the romanticism of this relatively exotic cuisine, with brightly patterned rugs and other knick-knacks on the walls. Service is friendly, and waitstaff will patiently advise diners on navigating the menu. Afghan cuisine has similarities with Middle Eastern, Chinese and Indian cuisines, and the menu features mantoo, kebabs, korma, pulau and nan. Afghan kormas are more subtly spiced than their Indian counterparts, redolent with fragrant spice rather than heat. Meat lovers will appreciate the extensive kebab menu, including five different types of lamb, but vegetarians are also catered for, with over twenty unusual and interesting dishes available. Sholla gorbandi (spiced rice and mung beans) is a highlight, as is qorma baamia (pan-fried okra and garlic cooked in a light sauce). For the less adventurous, more common dishes like dahl and dips with nan bread also make an appearance. Despite being quite cheap and casual, it is always wise to make a reservation, as Afghan Village is exceedingly popular with the locals, and weekends can be booked out two to three weeks in advance.
Centonove
ITALIAN
109 CO THAM ROAD, KEW
(03) 9817 6468 • MAP P.298
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–SAT 11AM–3PM, 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $18–$24, MAINS $30–$39, DESSERTS $8.50–$14.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
If only all suburban Italian restaurants were like Centonove! Patrons flock here for the wonderful food, the pressed white linens, comfortable leather seats and professional yet friendly service. Located in a small art deco building on a corner, the restaurant fills up quickly and advanced booking is required, even on weeknights. Classics like vitello tonnato and beef carpaccio are done exceptionally well and presented beautifully. The mushroom risotto, which in lesser restaurants is the vegetarian’s punishment, is here a delightful mix of wild mushrooms and pearlescent rice grains, with just the right amount of bite left to them. Wine buffs will appreciate Centonove’s impressive list, which includes a good range of by-the-glass drops, and dozens of bottles from around the world. Rarely ordered but often admired are the jawdroppingly expensive ‘Vertical Museum Releases’, featuring the best from the Barossa Valley – Penfold’s Grange, Hill of Grace and more. With its dim lighting and warm atmosphere, Centonove is ideal for intimate dinners, and perfect for those who are happy to splash out for good food and wine.
Chashar Bliss
CONTEMPORARY
648 GLENFERRIE ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9819 0948 • MAP P.298
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $5 A BOTTLE
OPEN MON–FRI 7AM–3PM, 5.30PM–9.30PM, SAT 8AM–9.30PM, SUN 9AM–3PM
ENTREES $8–$13, MAINS $16–$29, DESSERTS $6.50–$15
VISA, MC
Chashar Bliss offers a truly international menu without suffering an identity crisis. A key part of the experience is taking the time to select from many popular cross-cultural favourites. They serve up pasta just as well as curries and authentic Thai, and the humble parma here – though of higher quality than your standard pub variety – is on par with pub prices, thanks to Chashar’s overall value-for-money approach. Breakfast, brunch and lunch are exceptionally well priced, and the ethnic-themed breakfasts are surprising stand-outs, as is the oxtail ragout dished up at dinner. The waitstaff work well as a team – everyone is welcoming and talkative – which makes it a comfortable spot to while away an evening. The cosy ambience and big tables promote sharing so if you have a large group in tow, this is a great place to celebrate. The simple drinks list offers most wines by the glass and the beer range suits all tastes. Get in early for lunch, and bookings are recommended for weekends.
Chester White
CONTEMPORARY
302 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9819 2200 • MAP P.298
LICENSED
OPEN DAILY NOON–LATE
ENTREES $14–$22, MAINS $22–$32, DESSERTS $11–$18
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Chester White is ticking all the right boxes for Hawthorn residents. Good food? Yep. Unfussy surrounds? Done. Family-friendly? You betcha. Although newish, Chester White is already doing a roaring trade and is fast becoming the place to go in the inner east. British chef Simon Arkless serves a menu of Mediterranean-influenced meals (think cured meats) and pizzas, as well as his take on bistro classics like beer-battered fish and chips, and roast chicken with stuffing and roast garlic cream. Pick of the pizzas is the puttanesca, with its perfect balance of anchovies, olives, tomatoes and capers with a chilli kick. The wine list complements the menu, with many southern European drops. The restaurant fit-out is bright, crisp and modern, and includes a deck that was just made for long lunches on sunny days. The atmosphere and service are laidback and friendly. Groups and families are particularly well serviced, and function bookings are also possible. During the week they offer an express lunch menu of a main course and wine for under $20.
Choi’s
CHINESE
186 RIVERSDALE ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9818 2299 • MAP P.303
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $4 A HEAD
OPEN MON–THURS NOON–3PM, 5PM–10PM, FRI NOON–3PM, 5PM–11PM, SAT 5PM–11PM, SUN 5PM–10PM
ENTREES $4–$14, MAINS $20–$30, DESSERTS $9–$12
VISA, MC, AMEX
Chef David Yap has steered Choi’s in a very successful direction. After honing his unique style in major Singapore hotels and Melbourne’s renowned Flower Drum, he now draws people to Hawthorn for signature dishes like delicate Shanghai crab dumplings, and garfish stuffed with seasonal vegetables and mushrooms. Traditional Chinese dishes, including an abundance of vegetarian options, are all inspired by fresh seasonal produce. This large split-level restaurant is gorgeously decorated with embellished walls set against stark white tablecloths and bold, blood-red ceilings. Luxurious leather booths overlook the main dining area, which is lit atmospherically with low-hanging fittings. Table service is at its finest – even after the beautifully presented meal is positioned on your table, Choi’s fantastic staff will dish it out in front of you. This is the perfect place for business affairs or tremendous family dining with all the trimmings.
Dumpling King
CHINESE
572 STATION STREET, BOX HILL
(03) 9890 3719 • MAP P.299
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2.50 A BOTTLE
OPEN DAILY 11AM–3.30PM, 5PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $4–$7.80, MAINS $13–$18.80
VISA, MC, AMEX
With the latest dumpling surge in Melbourne, Dumpling King is no longer the undisputed master. The fillings are sometimes bland and lost in the thick skin, but if you must order some, just as a comparison, it’s best to stick with the boiled pork and chive dumplings, or indulge in the crispy spring onion pancake. Thankfully their other dishes are high above standard. With items such as their hand-pulled wheat noodles with minced pork, Chinese mushrooms, fragrant chilli sauce and cucumber, their mapo tofu – spicy, silken beancurd studded with chillies and Sichuan peppercorns within a thick sauce of ground pork – and the tender, gelatinous, piquant braised pork knuckle, which has been deboned and served with spinach, it’s easy to forgive their dumplings. The room has exposed brick walls, wooden chairs and a variety of large tables with a comfortable amount of space between each one, suggesting that you’re welcome to stay for a prolonged meal. The unhurried service confirms this and is a happy change from the other restaurants in this strip.
Estivo
EUROPEAN
330 HIGH STREET, KEW
(03) 9853 1727 • MAP P.298
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–FRI NOON–3.30PM, 6PM–10.30PM, SAT 6PM–10.30PM, SUN 6PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $14–$22, MAINS $22–$35, DESSERTS $13
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Estivo perfectly pitches itself at the local target market: Kew retirees with a desire for good food. With its understated decor, starched white linen tablecloths and deferential service, Estivo eschews the flashy in favour of reliable, lowkey dining. Food is well executed and slightly cheffy, with a definite European bent. Their signature dish is a roasted magret of duck, with onion and duck leg tart, spiced carrot purée and bittersweet duck jus. Other items on the menu include aged beef tenderloin, confit duck risotto and poussin with chestnuts and pancetta. If you’re lucky, the chef’s fluffy handmade gnocchi will be on the specials menu. These meals are complemented by a comprehensive, if slightly pricey, wine list, with a balance between Australian and European wines. A word of warning: Estivo does not cater for vegetarians, with not a single vegetarian dish on the menu. But for those of us who like our restaurants old-school and our dinners rich with meat, butter and jus, Estivo is a great destination for a special occasion.
Great Eastern Hakka Restaurant
CHINESE/SWEDISH
319 STEPHENSONS ROAD, MOUNT WAVERLEY
(03) 9807 3388 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A BOTTLE
OPEN TUES–FRI NOON–10PM, SAT 1PM–11PM, SUN 5PM–11PM
ENTREES $5–$9, MAINS $13–$29, DESSERTS $3.50–$5
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
With a menu that features Swedish pizzas on one side and Hakka Chinese on the other, first instincts tell you that Great Eastern Hakka Restaurant has a bit of an identity crisis. Despite this, it’s obviously a formula that works, as the crowds who return every week attest. The chef has Hakka Chinese heritage, was born and raised in India and then lived in Sweden, and these influences come through in the food. While Hakka cuisine is generally very simple, it is livened up here with additional spices and flavours from other Asian cuisines. The service is a little slow at times, but that’s because the staff probe each table to find out what recommendations would best suit its tastes. The spicy sea-salt squid should not be passed up by those who love chilli and seafood – it’s cooked to absolute perfection without any hint of oiliness. For those looking for something different, the thin-crust pizzas are a must, each one served with a crunchy and refreshing cabbage salad.
Home Dining Room
CONTEMPORARY
601 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9819 5555 • MAP P.298
LICENSED & BYO TUES–THURS, CORKAGE $10 A BOTTLE
OPEN TUES–SUN 8AM–LATE
ENTREES $12–$16, MAINS $28–$34, DESSERTS $9–$12
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
You’ll remember there’s no place like home when you drop into Home Dining Room in Hawthorn’s Auburn Village. Enjoy the simple but modern menu with an emphasis on taste and texture, accompanied by relaxed music and a warm, rustic vibe. This little suburban cafe is popular as a brunch spot. Here, classic dishes are given a contemporary twist – from the great steak sandwich to the French fries cooked in truffle oil, the beetroot risotto and the plate of prosciutto, baked asparagus, parmesan and rocket, topped with poached eggs and dukkah. But a favourite for locals is a melt-in-your-mouth lamb meatball sandwich. And it wouldn’t be a home-dining experience without sharing food and wine. Their dinner menu offers a large list of share plates, like salt and pepper squid, zucchini fritters and duck pancakes. Mains include plates liked baked ricotta or home-cooked market-fresh fish. Try the Eton mess for dessert – an oldie but a goodie – a mix of white chocolate mousse with berries and crushed meringue.
Indochine
VIETNAMESE
51 CARRINGTON ROAD, BOX HILL
(03) 9890 2966 • MAP P.299
WWW.INDOCHINERESTAURANT.COM.AU
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $5 A BOTTLE
OPEN TUES–SUN 11AM–3PM, 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $5–$11.90, MAINS $8.50–$22.90, DESSERTS $6–$10
VISA, AMEX, EF TPOS
Indochine is one of the busiest restaurants on Carrington Road’s popular food strip. The room is divided into two parts and is flooded with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, which also make the outdoor seating popular in summer. The large room is suitable for families and bigger groups. The Vietnamese approach to food has a strong emphasis on the lightness of dishes and the importance of having fresh, raw vegetables on the table – Indochine prides itself on delivering the healthy, Asian alternative. Popular dishes include the Hanoi spring rolls, which, unlike regular spring rolls that are wrapped in a wheat pastry, are wrapped in rice paper before being deep-fried. Follow them with banh cuon (steamed crepes filled with either pork and mushroom or prawn), ga xao gung (chicken cooked in a caramelised ginger sauce), banh xeo (filled turmeric crepes), broken rice or any of the bun dishes (vermicelli noodles with chargrilled meats served with fragrant nuoc mam). You might need a return visit to try everything …
Italy 1
ITALIAN
823 BURKE ROAD, CAMBERWELL
(03) 9804 0944 • MAP P.303
LICENSED & BYO SUN, CORKAGE $10 A BOTTLE
OPEN MON–SAT NOON–3PM, 6PM–10PM, SUN 6PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $15–$21.50, MAINS $27–$42, DESSERTS $9–$16
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
LOCATION ALSO IN CBD
Italy 1 was one of the first fine-dining restaurants to grace this leafy suburban shopping strip, long before Camberwell became the shopping hub it now is. Since it opened over fifteen years ago, Italy 1 has been serving traditional but classy Italian fare, in cosy, dimly lit surroundings. Nothing much has changed but therein lies its appeal. While you can find plenty of cooler, more exciting Italian restaurants around town, Italy 1 is consistent and comforting, in a neighbourhood bereft of good eateries. Here, you’ll find a solid selection of entrees – the calamari is particularly good – cheese tasting plates and perfectly cooked pastas, like their tortellini stuffed with barramundi and scallop mouse in a crab bisque or their homemade gnocchi with braised lamb ragu. Their authentic, generous mains of osso bucco and duck ravioli should fill any voids but if you’re still hungry after all that, their dessert menu offers classics like a melt-in-your-mouth panna cotta, served with a spliced layer cake and stewed apple. Their coffee will put hairs on your chest.
Koots Salle à Manger
FRENCH
479 GLENFERRIE ROAD, KOOYONG
(03) 9822 3809 • MAP P.303
LICENSED & BYO TUES–THURS, ONE BOTTLE, CORKAGE $15 A BOTTLE
OPEN TUES–FRI NOON–2.30PM, 6PM–10PM, SAT 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $18–$38, MAINS $38–$45, DESSERTS $14–$38, DEGUSTATION $90–$105
VISA, MC, AMEX, DINERS
Koots Salle à Manger is perched on an alarming hill in Kooyong, deep in the heart of SUV territory. It’s a light, classic space with a great outdoor dining area, a chunky fireplace and the kind of lampshade chandelier that if you try to count the lamps you get a headache. The food isn’t cheap, but when you cater to a mixed crowd of MPs, orthodontists, Hawthorn silver foxes and successful young things out on schmancy dates, you can afford to nudge the prices. On the other hand, some of that dinero goes to keeping the tables stocked with tasty pink Margaret River salt, Opinel pocket knives for steak, and La Rochelle semi-salted butter so delicious that it would be worth coming for if they served nothing else. Of course, they do serve other things: a modern French menu of rich mains, delicate entrees and even richer desserts. The entree selection board is killer, with magnificent lemon granita oysters, Spanish jamon, iced cucumber-soup shots, barley and quinoa salad, rabbit and mushroom terrine and a ridiculously good tuna carpaccio.
Kunyit
THAI/MALAYSIAN
283 DONCASTER ROAD, BALWYN NORTH
(03) 9816 3292 • MAP P.275 BYO, CORKAGE $1.80 A HEAD
OPEN DAILY NOON–LATE
ENTREES $5–$10, MAINS $13–$36, DESSERTS $7.90–$9.90, BANQUETS $39–$46
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Sandwiched in a busy shopping strip on Doncaster Road, with sparse modern furnishings, Kunyit may have a simple appearance but is an enjoyable dining experience nonetheless. It's a ‘modern’ Thai restaurant with some Malaysian additions, so the dishes are not as sour or spicy as more authentic Thai cuisine might be – the pad thai is particularly sweet. The upside is that this makes it accessible to anyone’s palate. The large menu offers a wide variety of entrees, mains and desserts at decent prices and in generous portions, plus banquet options – perfect for sharing among a group. Service can be a tad patchy, with some dishes forgotten or late, but the staff are friendly. As far as restaurants in North Balwyn go, this one is a good addition. Though there are Lebanese, Chinese and Italian places in the area, Thai cuisine is a novelty and broadens the range of foods for locals to choose from. All up, an ideal candidate if you’re looking to try a new restaurant with a group of friends.
Lulo Tapas, Cerveceria & Wine Bar
SPANISH/SOUTH AMERICAN
798 GLENFERRIE ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9818 8321 • MAP P.298
LICENSED
OPEN MON & TUES 4.30PM–LATE, WED–SUN NOON–3PM, 4.30PM–LATE
SMALL DISHES $4–$20, LARGE DISHES $14–$28, DESSERTS $10–$27
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Lulo Tapas, Cerveceria & Wine Bar resembles Gran Via, a happening restaurant on the main street of Madrid. And, like the Spanish hipster, Lulo encourages the Latino culture of sharing. They don’t have set entrees or mains here, so it’s more a case of ordering a bit of this and that. Matt Waldron, owner and head chef, delicately prepares food that encompasses the traditional flavours of Latin America and Spain but has a modern twist. The menu changes according to seasonal availability, and specials are written alongside decorative maps of Spain and South America. The amazing range of tapas and plates to share is elegantly presented by marvellous staff who have memorised the menu and every single ingredient used. Paella for two is also available from Sunday to Thursday. The Spanish-inspired prints provide a picturesque scene while you choose one of Lulo’s twenty Spanish and Latin American beers at the bar and, with South American tunes ringing through the place, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into Spain for lunch.
Monk & Me
MALAYSIAN
9 EVANS PLACE, HAWTHORN EAST
(03) 9813 3261 • MAP P.303
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $6 A BOTTLE
OPEN DAILY NOON–2.30PM, 6PM–LATE
ENTREES $6–$8.50, MAINS $14–$28.50, DESSERTS $7.50– $9.50, BANQUETS $33–$43
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Hidden in a laneway opposite the Rivoli Cinema, Monk & Me has been serving up reliably tasty and authentic Malaysian cuisine for the past seven years. It’s the same team behind Chinta Ria, so you can expect Simon Goh’s signature combination of cool jazz, funky decor and spicy Malaysian fare. Highlights of the menu include a creamy curry laksa, sambal spinach, and ayam kapitan (a Nyonya-style chicken and potato curry), as well as hawker favourites like flaky roti canai and char kway teow. With such a wide-ranging menu, it’s as easy to pop in for a quick plate of fried noodles before a film as it is to hunker down for three courses with wine. Vegetarian options are clearly marked, and there’s a special kids’ menu, with milder options. Unusually for a Malaysian restaurant, Monk has a comprehensive cocktail and wine list, with most available by the glass. The volume of customers can vary dramatically depending on the nearby cinema patrons, but the incredibly efficient service ensures that everyone’s looked after.
Nights of Kabul
AFGHAN/PERSIAN
39 PORTMAN STREET, OAKLEIGH
(03) 9564 7749 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $5 A BOTTLE
OPEN TUES–SAT 6PM–LATE
ENTREES $4–$10, MAINS $17.50–$25, DESSERTS $6.50–$7.50, BANQUETS $35–$40
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
While Alexander the Great may have broken the back of the Persian Empire, Nights of Kabul stands defiant in the face of Hellenic Oakleigh. For ten years, this Afghan husband and wife team has attracted a regular following who enjoy their marinated kebabs cooked in the traditional way, over a charcoal grill. The service is polite and attentive, and the owner, Ramir, is very happy to explain some of the more unusual Persian dishes. Vegetarians will happily agonise over the choices here. The borani bonjon dish of gently fried eggplant discs topped with a tangy tomato and yoghurt sauce is highly recommended. Even the most committed of carnivores may find themselves reaching for the aashak – delicious leek and pumpkin–filled pastries with crunchy frills. Servings are as generous as the Afghan spirit. While weeknights can be quiet, the mood changes on Saturday nights, when their collection of traditional musical instruments comes to life. Enjoy the melodic thud of the tabla drums and the metallic strums of the rubar (long-neck lute) as the belly dancer wiggles across the room.
Pizza Religion
PIZZA
493 TOORONGA ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9882 2555 • MAP P.303
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN SAT–WED 4PM–LATE, THURS & FRI NOON–LATE
PIZZAS $16–$18, SALADS $7
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
In recent years, Melbourne has been having a love affair with pizza – from $4 pizza on offer at pubs around town to the more upmarket and traditional offerings from I Carusi and Ladro. In leafy Hawthorn, Pizza Religion is the new kid on the block, and this hole-in-the-wall joint with a lovely communal table has a loyal following. With its co-owners having previously won awards for their pizzas, this place brings to pizza-making a flair for throwing together fresh, interesting ingredients that sound like they don’t belong on a pizza but somehow do, like pork sausage, chilli, fennel, apple and cabbage salad, or roast lamb, olive tapenade and fetta. With super-thin crusts, the pizzas vary from the exotic to the more traditional, like the sensational margherita, capricciosa or prosciutto. With a relaxed vibe and friendly staff, it’s enough to convert anyone.
Pizze & Fichi
ITALIAN
321 HIGH STREET, KEW
(03) 9853 5155 • MAP P.298
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2.50 A GLASS
OPEN TUES–SUN 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $10–$18, MAINS $15–$19, DESSERTS $7–$10
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
The fifth commandment at Pizze & Fichi is ‘No, we do NOT have pineapple’. Another espouses eating with your hands for maximum enjoyment. This is a pizza/pasta joint done oh so very right. Cheese and dough are taken seriously here. At least two-thirds of the menu is pizza or pizza-related; think foccacia for entree and sweet calzones for dessert. And rather than only mozzarella and cheddar, they use gorgonzola, taleggio, brie and proper bocconcini to provide the requisite cheesy hit. Among the few standard toppings are thoughtful ‘gourmet’ combinations featuring pear, figs (fresh when in season), pistachios and olive tapenade. For something different, request the Nice Pear with a sprinkling of balsamic. Prop yourself up near the fireplace to watch as pizzas arrive crisp from the oven topped with lava-hot, bubbling cheese. Service at Pizze & Fichi is timely and attentive and the atmosphere is casual enough to bring the kids along, without making the grown-ups endure yet another Hawaiian pizza. In fact, due to the aforementioned commandment, that last one’s an impossibility.
Preserve Kitchen
CONTEMPORARY
32 HIGH STREET, GLEN IRIS
(03) 9885 4869 • MAP P.303
BYO, CORKAGE $5 A GLASS
OPEN TUES–FRI & SUN 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–10PM, SAT 5.30PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $10.50–$17.50, MAINS $25.50–$36.50, DESSERTS $15–$17.50
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Chef and owner of Preserve Kitchen Jason Aitken has created a light and bright destination intended for refined dining in the eastern suburbs. The small dining room can accommodate only a couple of dozen guests at one time, which gives the bistro an air of exclusivity and ensures bookings are preferred. Select a special bottle of vino from your cellar to bring along as Preserve Kitchen is the kind of place you take someone when you feel the need to impress, sans snooty waiters. The menu itself is contemporary – described as modern Australian with heavy European influences (mainly Italian) and a nod to Asian cuisine. Their rich, al dente, black rice risotto, laden with duck and earthy mushrooms, is a particularly good choice. The dapper maitre d’ will happily suggest his favourite dishes; perhaps the poached pear with homemade pistachio ice cream and nougat will convince you to save enough room for dessert?
Restaurant 101
BURMESE/THAI
101 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9818 8088 • MAP P.298
BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN TUES–FRI NOON–2PM, 6PM–9.30PM, SAT & SUN 6PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $6–$15, MAINS $14–$21, DESSERTS $7
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Formerly known as Old Rangoon, Restaurant 101 is an affordable and noisy shopfront eatery that has become a well-kept secret among locals in a fairly sleepy pocket of leafy Hawthorn. If Burmese food is a mystery to you, Restaurant 101 is a good place to get acquainted. Bringing together chilli and lime with rich, exotic dry lamb curries, the menu is exciting, and good value, while the atmosphere is similarly vibrant. Renowned for its goat curry (only available in the first week of each month), 101 has other lively dishes if you a) don’t fancy goats or b) missed the weeklong window. They include crunchy pea fritters, vegetable curries, marrow battered with tempura and a tangy tamarind paste, all of which will be sure to give you an entry point into the foreign flavours of Burma.
St Katherine’s
GREEK/TURKISH/MIDDLE EASTERN
26 CO THAM ROAD, KEW
(03) 9207 7477 • MAP P.298
LICENSED
OPEN DAILY NOON–3PM, 5PM–11PM
ENTREES $4–$13.50, MAINS $15.50–$32, DESSERTS $14.90
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Bright and bursting with energy, St Katherine’s is a breath of fresh air in Kew – an affluent suburb, but short on high-quality dining experiences. George Calombaris and Shane Delia really did their research before choosing this location. St Katherine’s is a perfect melange of the chefs’ cultural and culinary roots. And their passion for the food shows through in the menu. With tongue firmly in cheek, they offer KFC (Katherine’s Fried Chicken – ordered by the bucket), ‘old-school Mr Whippy’ and Coca Cola lamb ribs, alongside more traditional offerings like pides, quail and Maltese pork sausage. Opened in May 2011, the restaurant was immediately abuzz. And the usual teething problems (construction delays, staff familiarising themselves) have easily been outweighed by the quality of the food and the casual but classy atmosphere. The smells from the Turkish grill tantalise from the minute you walk in – tangy, charcoal-y and delicious. With plates primarily designed for sharing, the menu implores you to eat ‘from the middle of the table’. Come with a big group – you’ll get to taste as many dishes as possible.
San Choi on Kew
CHINESE
300 HIGH STREET, KEW
(03) 9852 9119 • MAP P.298 WWW.SANCHOI.COM.AU
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $8 A BOTTLE
OPEN MON–SAT NOON–3PM, 5.30PM–11PM, SUN NOON– 3PM, 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $3.50–$10, MAINS $14.80–$26.80, DESSERTS $6–$8.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Relocating from Hawthorn to Kew in 2006, San Choi was revamped with typical Hong Kong–style decor – low-slung red lanterns, a sea-green, gold and mahogany colour scheme – and even more ways to enjoy seafood than you thought possible. Despite a nearly ten-minute wait for a menu (before it was even busy), the large meal did not disappoint. It’s not surprising, considering head chef Chan Man has many years’ experience in Chinese cuisine. The menu is extensive and offers a wide range of vegetarian options, rice and noodles, poultry, beef and pork, but people come here for the seafood. The feature wall of water tanks is a floating wonderland for the freshest dishes including king crab, coral trout, tiger prawn and barramundi. If none of these options sound appealing then check out what appears to be lovely Chinese art decorating the walls. These red fancy scrolls are actually interesting specials not on the printed menu. Traditional Chinese music fills any silences – but these are rare as the staff love chatting to guests.
Shira Nui
JAPANESE
247 SPRINGVALE ROAD, GLEN WAVERLEY
(03) 9886 7755 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A BOTTLE
OPEN TUES–SAT NOON–2PM, 6PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $9–$30, MAINS $22–$36, DESSERTS $11–$14
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Shira Nui is a suburban sushi restaurant with a difference. From the moment you walk in and are greeted by the chorus of staff welcoming you in Japanese, the friendliness and efficiency here really stand out. If you love your raw fish, the omakase experience is a must. For about $80 per person, you are seated at the bar in front of the sushi chef to watch him create each delicate morsel for you. If raw seafood doesn’t float your boat, there’s a wonderful standard menu full of options for you to sample. The best is the grilled sea perch, though the lamb is a good choice for anyone who avoids fish. The waiters are helpful and provide advice on how each dish should be eaten to best appreciate the flavours. This is particularly handy with the sushi, when something as pungent as soy sauce needs to be used with caution. This isn’t the cheapest Japanese restaurant around, but watching the sushi chefs at work gives the feeling that you are getting your money’s worth.
Sichuan Restaurant
SICHUAN
65–67 CARRINGTON ROAD, BOX HILL
(03) 9890 9898 • MAP P.299
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN MON–FRI 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–10PM, SAT & SUN 11.30AM–10PM
ENTREES $6–$16.80, MAINS $13.80–$48.80, DESSERTS $5–$8 ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Sichuan Restaurant sits in a strip of other Chinese restaurants, forming a little Chinatown out in the suburbs. Even the neighbouring local bank has imperial lion statues guarding the entrance. The people at Sichuan enforce the sense that you may have fallen through a portal straight to the south-west regions of China. On any given night you’ll be surrounded by hand-holding couples, multi-generation families feasting together (then scooping up the inevitable leftovers to take home) and groups of schoolboys huddled over videogames while guzzling imported soda emblazoned with Chinese symbols. The service here is pleasant enough – many of the staff seem to be international students – but it’s not slick. What makes Sichuan stand out from the pack is its inexpensive all-you-can-eat hot pot. Leave the confusing à la carte menu closed and head directly to a table with a bubbling sunken cauldron in the centre. Soon you’ll be happily dunking meat, vegetables and stringy noodles into hot stock to create a meal just the way you like it.
TOP 10 DAYTRIPPERS
TAKE A COUNTRY TRIP TO SOME OF VICTORIA’S UNIQUE FINE DINING EXPERIENCES AND YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO STAY FOR BREAKFAST.
Annie Smithers Bistrot
72 Piper Street, Kyneton • (03) 5422 2039 •
WWW.ANNIESMITHERS.COM.AU • LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE
$10 A BOTTLE • OPEN WED–SAT NOON–5PM, 6PM–LATE, SUN
NOON–5PM • ENTREES $14.50–$21.50, MAINS $25–$34,
DESSERTS $12.50–$14.50 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Classic French bistro food from the kitchen garden of mostly French heirloom vegetables out the back. Annie Smithers cooks a fine freerange duck, served with an equally fine wine list.
Athelstane House
4 HOBSON STREET, QUEENSCLIFF • (03) 5258 1024 •
WWW.ATHELSTANE.COM.AU • LICENSED • OPEN MON–FRI
8.30AM–11AM, 6PM–9PM, SAT & SUN 8.30AM–3PM, 6PM–9PM
ENTREES $3–$15, MAINS $$16–$25, DESSERTS $3.50–$11 •
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Contemporary, unpretentious yet confident cuisine underpinned by quality local produce. The building is a historic 1860s gem, the wine list is an award winner, and it’s just two streets from the beach.
Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel
42 MELBA HIGHWAY, YERING • (03) 9237 3333 •
WWW.CHATEAUYERING.COM.AU • Licensed • OPEN DAILY
6.30PM–11PM • SET MENU $90–$150 • ALL MAJOR CARDS
ACCEPTED
Revisit past and current glories at this historic Yarra Valley winery and world-class hotel. Eleonore’s Restaurant executive chef Mathew Macartney offers innovative tasting, set and à la carte menus. Daytime dining at Sweetwater Café is an altogether more casual, yetequally delightful, affair.
Giant Steps
336 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY, HEALESVILLE • (03) 5962 6111
WWW.INNOCENTBYSTANDER.COM.AU • LICENSED
OPEN MON–FRI 10AM–10PM, SAT & SUN 8AM–10PM •
ENTREES $3.50–$19, MAINS $19–$42, DESSERTS $3.50–$11.50 •
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
A glass of sweet and bubbly Innocent Bystander moscato will get you in the mood for the famous wood-fire pizzas and other fine food available at the cellar door of this hot Yarra Valley attraction.
Lake House
4 KING STREET, DAYLESFORD • (03) 5348 3329 •
WWW.LAKEHOUSE.COM.AU • LICENSED • OPEN DAILY 8AM–
10.30AM, NOON–3PM, 6.30PM–LATE • ENTREES $20–$25, MAINS
$32–$40, DESSERTS $14–$19 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Seasonal produce drives the menu, and almost everything is prepared on site, including the charcuterie. With its gorgeous provincial lakeside setting and day spa, you should probably stay the night in a luxury suite too.
La Petanque
1208 MO RNINGTON–FLINDERS ROAD, RED HILL SOUTH •
(03) 5931 0155 • WWW.LAPETANQUE.COM.AU • LICENSED •
OPEN WED & THURS NOON–3PM, FRI & SAT NOON–3PM,
6.30PM–9.30PM • ENTREES $9–$14, MAINS $12–$18,
DESSERTS $10–$12 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Enjoy a taste of southern France on the Mornington Peninsula with local fresh ingredients, beautifully concocted dishes and enough rustique charm to make you feel right at home, à la française.
Loam
650 ANDERSONS ROAD, DRYSDALE • (03) 5251 1101•
WWW.LOAM.COM.AU • LICENSED • OPEN WED–SUN NOON–
3PM, FRI & SAT 6.30PM–LATE • ENTREES $16–$18, MAINS
$24–$28, DESSERTS $12 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Out west you’ll find the best spot to enjoy freshly foraged, fished and hunted local produce, all served simply and artfully in a modest venue that focuses on the food first. The lovely view is a bonus.
Royal Mail Hotel
98 PARKER STREET (GLENELG HIGHWAY), DUNKELD •
(03) 5577 2241 • WWW.ROYALMAIL.COM.AU • LICENSED •
OPEN TUES–SAT 6.30PM–LATE • ENTREES $6–$35, MAINS
$37–$40, DESSERTS $5–$24 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Set near the Southern Grampians ranges, the Royal Mail will delight your eyes as well as your palate. The carefully designed menu combines seasonal ingredients, exciting flavours and innovative preparation techniques under the watchful eye of master-chef Dan Hunter.
Stefano’s
QUALITY HOTEL MILDURA GRAND, LANGTREE AVENUE, MILDURA •
WWW.STEFANO.COM.AU • (03) 5023 0511 •
$110 FOR DEGUSTATION • TUES–SAT OPEN FOR DINNER
You know Stefano’s must be special when your friends drive six hours to get there. The five-course set menu changes daily, so you never quite know what you’re going to get, but with Stefano Di Pieri at the helm you’re guaranteed a meal to remember.
Sunnybrae
4285 CAPE OTWAY ROAD, BIRREGURRA • (03) 5236 2276
WWW.GEORGEBIRON.COM • LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE
$10–$30 A BOTTLE • OPEN SAT & SUN 12.30PM–2.30PM
(CLOS ED MID-MAY TO MID-JUNE) • SET MENU $66 •
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Made famous as the backdrop for Nadine Garner’s fluffy perm in The Henderson Kids, Birregurra’s ‘restaurant in the middle of a paddock’, Sunnybrae, offers a great-value Sunday set menu of local seasonal produce to savour slowly with good wine and loved ones.
Simon’s Peiking Duck Chinese Restaurant
CHINESE
197B MIDDLEBO ROUGH ROAD, BOX HILL SOUTH
(03) 9898 5944 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN MON 5PM–10.30PM, TUES–THURS NOON–2.30PM, 5PM–10.30PM, FRI NOON–2.30PM, 5PM–11.30PM, SAT &SUN 5PM–11.30PM
ENTREES $2–$6, MAINS $12.80–$23.80, DESSERTS $5–$10
CASH ONLY
A restaurant people travel distances to experience, Simon’s Peiking Duck has built a solid name for itself in Box Hill South. They come (not surprisingly) for the duck, Simon Lay’s speciality (some call him the Duck Nazi, he is so focused on it), which is enough to share between two or three people. With two duck options, priced at $55 and $63, it’s good value for what has become Melbourne’s most famous ‘Peiking’ duck. (The extra ‘i’ in the name was earned because Simon’s deserves to stand out from the rest.) If you’re not into duck, other top choices for dinner include the super-hot Sichuan chilli prawn and the Timorese chicken, and there are plenty of vegetarian options, thanks to a variety of mixed vegetable dishes. If you’ve left room, finish up with the silky apple from the dessert menu. The popularity adds to the overall ambience, which is always full of chatter and laughter. Simon’s is a great restaurant for families and special occasions, but be sure to book.
Studley Park Boathouse
EUROPEAN
1 BOATHOUSE ROAD, KEW
(03) 9853 1828 • MAP P.301
WWW.STUDLEYPARKBOATHOUSE.COM.AU
LICENSED
OPEN SUN–TUES 9AM–5PM, WED–SAT 9AM–9PM
ENTREES $18–$36, MAINS $25–$36, DESSERTS $15–$30
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Nestled in a large park, Studley Park Boathouse is only a couple minutes’ drive from the busy Abbotsford shops, but feels like an English country escape. The restaurant offers rich gourmet food and a classy, leisurely atmosphere, all within a stone’s throw of the river. While the prices might mean that this restaurant is for special occasions only, the gourmet food is rich and worth a splurge for a birthday or other function. Smoked haddock, rump lamb and paprika chicken breast are delicious examples of the succulent foods on offer here. For more casual catch-ups, the cafe is a lovely choice, with delicate warm salads, hearty Moroccan meat pies and chargrilled eye fillets dotting the menu. Meals are small and perhaps a pinch overpriced, but they are elegantly flavoured and good to savour. Boat hire is also available daily. With the gentle country atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this is a popular location for wedding receptions.
Tai Pan
CHINESE
237–239 BLACKBURN ROAD, DONCASTER EAST
(03) 9841 9977 • MAP P.275
BYO, CORKAGE $1.50 A HEAD
OPEN MON–FRI NOON–3PM, 6PM–LATE, SAT & SUN 11AM–3PM, 6PM–LATE
ENTREES $5–$15, MAINS $15–$30, DESSERTS $4–$11
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
A staple for almost twenty years, Tai Pan has built up a solid reputation in the Doncaster area. Inside the lofty interior, the restaurant is spacious and would be well suited for large group catch-ups or functions. Lunchtime yum cha is extremely popular – it’s a loud, boisterous affair and lots of fun but don’t expect a quiet or refined dining experience. Although waiters can be a bit brisk, the quality of the food makes up for any curt service. Timeliness for your session is essential. For dinnertime dining, all your favourites are here, including ginger and spring onion crab on noodles, traditional claypot dishes, and steamed whole barramundi. Note, though, that the menu itself can be difficult to navigate for non-Chinese speakers. Meat substitutes are available on request for vegetarians, along with the listed vegetable options. This is a dining experience in Hong Kong without leaving the eastern suburbs – and, judging from the bustling crowds that flock here, booking ahead wouldn’t go amiss.
Thai Lantern
THAI
208 UPPER HEIDELBERG ROAD, IVANHOE
(03) 9497 4112 • MAP P.301
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN TUES–FRI 11.30AM–3PM, 6PM–10PM, SAT–MON 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $7–$8, MAINS $11.50–$17.90, DESSERTS $7
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
After a trip to Thailand everyone always expects the best tucker – after all, you’ve been spoilt with fabulous flavours and scrumptious spices overpowering your tastebuds; you want to match that at home. They might not be as spicy, but the delicious dishes just keep on coming at Thai Lantern, with head chef Alex Teerasphanan leading the team, producing quality meals in an authentic Thai setting. The dark wooden decor, mustard walls, bamboo ceiling and freshly cut flowers all create a tropical feel. The menu offers a wide range of appetisers, soups, salads, Thai curries, a charcoal grill, seafood, stir-fries and noodles, but their signature dish is goong choo chee, fresh king prawns cooked in a tangy curry sauce with lime leaves and coconut milk. They’re also vegetarian-friendly, with a wide range of main meals and snacks. Wash it all down with a ‘speciality tea’ while relaxing to the serene sounds of instrumentals and piano chords.
Undertaker
CONTEMPORARY
329 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9818 3944 • MAP P.298
LICENSED
OPEN DAILY NOON–LATE
ENTREES $8–$19, MAINS $25–$36, DESSERTS $12
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
The Undertaker is a Hawthorn stand-out, a much-needed addition to a well-heeled area which has long lacked somewhere stylish and cosy for a tasty morsel. The simple, slick decor complements the brickwork of the building, which as the name suggests was once an undertaker’s office. Only the original facade remains, and it stands out on Burwood Road. The Undertaker is as much a wine bar as it is a restaurant, with a good selection of bar food that’s easy to share. At the other end of the literal scale is the premium meats menu: the 200- to 300-gram cuts are served with fries and cafe de Paris butter or beef jus. If you’re trying the coca – Spanish pizzas originating from Catalonia and the Balearics – several Spanish drops work well with them, but opening the drinks menu to the substantial beer selection is an unexpected highlight. Try a Canadian Unibroue Terrible or an Epic Pale Ale from New Zealand. The Undertaker offers great variety, pulled together by warm ambience and friendly staff.
Vasko
CONTEMPORARY/MEDITERRANEAN
111 UPPER HEIDELBERG ROAD, IVANHOE
(03) 9499 8111 • MAP P.301
LICENSED
OPEN MON–FRI 11AM–LATE, SAT 6PM–LATE, SUN 11AM–5PM
ENTREES $13–$15, MAINS $23–$29.50, DESSERTS $10–$18
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Set on Ivanhoe’s main drag is this funky, contemporary restaurant by the name of Vasko. The Dzanovski family’s first successful gig in the hospitality industry was in 2000, with their first restaurant, also Vasko, in Macleod. Now in Ivanhoe, this family-run venture, named after patriarch Vasko Dzanovski, boasts amazing, attentive staff, speedy service and a fantastic fusion of Mediterranean flavours and modern cuisine – not to mention a glorious greeting upon arrival. The decked inside area is enclosed in glass, with Singapore orchids dotting the tables – it overlooks another dining section near the bar. The menu is decorated with family photos – hospitality is clearly not Mr Dzanovski’s only love – and their speciality is ‘The Balkan’, a pork dish which is a family favourite. Be sure to check out the daily specials on offer too. If you’re after a function space, Vasko has one for up to 150 people and will go above and beyond, catering to the individual needs of their clients – a natural continuation of their general warmth.
Wantilan Bali
BALINESE
571 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9819 9280 • MAP P.298
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A HEAD
OPEN TUES–THURS 6PM–10PM, FRI–MON NOON–3PM, 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $7.50–$14.50, MAINS $18.50–$28.50, DESSERTS $7.50–$9
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
You’re in Bali, sipping Bintang in an open-air restaurant, with delightful smells – lemongrass, sambal, satay – wafting out of the kitchen. Your stomach rumbles a little: it’s time to eat. Wantilan Bali is about the closest you can come to experiencing the real deal in Melbourne – it manages to bring home the feeling of relaxing on the sunny Indonesian isle even in the chilly winter months. It may not be able to do much about the weather, but the authentic Balinese cuisine will take you on a culinary trip far away from your urban routine. The tender Balinese suckling pig is a winner. So too is Wantilan’s take on nasi goreng, which isn’t your average bowl of fried rice: this baby is topped with three different kinds of chicken, a dried rolled omelette and prawn crackers to boot. The presentation is a cut above the rest too; the food is so pretty you almost don’t want to eat it – almost. Relax to the sound of soft gamelan drums, and let your mind and tastebuds wander to a happier, warmer place.