David & Camy Noodle Restaurant
CHINESE
590 STATION STREET, BOX HILL
(03) 9898 8398 • MAP P.299
UNLICENSED
OPEN SUN–THURS 11AM–9.30PM, FRI & SAT 11AM–10PM
DUMPLINGS $8–$8.50, NOO DLES $8.50–$11.50
CASH ONLY
David & Camy has been in Box Hill since before the dawn of dumpling madness. The dumplings come boiled, steamed, pan-fried or in a soup, and should be accompanied by lashings of black vinegar, soy and a fiery chilli oil, which you help yourself to at the central station. Their fillings are pork, beef or chicken, studded with cabbage and chives and for $7.50 you can easily get a plate of fifteen juicy dumplings with meat that isn’t too greasy and skins just thick enough to support the filling. There’s a variety of noodle, rice and soup dishes strongly rooted in Shanghai, with a hot and sour theme. The dan dan noodles – thick wheat noodles topped with a spicy pork sauce and cucumber slivers – are a popular choice, as are the hot and sour soup and mapo tofu. David & Camy is a no-fuss eatery suitable for a large group or a quick, satisfying feed for a few dollars. Their service is hit-and-miss, but is mostly efficient. Just don’t expect a welcoming hello, even if you’re a regular.
Emas Restaurant
MALAYSIAN
277 BURWOOD HIGHWAY, BURWOOD
(03) 9808 7198 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $1.50 A HEAD
OPEN MON NOON–3PM, TUES–THURS NOON–3PM, 5.30PM–10PM, FRI NOON–3PM, 5.30PM–11PM, SAT 5.30PM–11PM, SUN 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $6.20–$7.80, MAINS $13.20–$30.50, DESSERTS $4.90–$5.90
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
From the outside, Emas doesn’t look that beguiling. Frankly, its interior is rather ordinary too. The off-white paint, the lacy curtains, the floral pictures hanging on the walls: this poky little Malaysian restaurant looks more like your grandma’s dining room and doesn’t give the impression of a top-class establishment like the name suggests it should (‘emas’ means ‘gold’ in Malaysian). But then, perhaps ‘emas’ is far better used to describe the food, because the authentic fare here is simply outstanding. All the classics are on the menu: nasi goreng, beef rendang, gado gado and nasi lemak, along with lesser known traditional favourites like roti murtabak, which is egg and spiced minced meat cooked inside a flaky bread. The linchpin of any Malaysian eatery is of course its satay sauce, and Emas, happily, is famous for theirs. It’s zingy and loaded with peanuts and will have you asking for a second (or third) serving. Emas is a real find. In fact, its homely surrounds – matched with welcoming service – complement the food nicely. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best.
Ganesh
INDIAN
76 SOUTH PARADE, BLACKBURN
(03) 9894 1931 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $1–$2
OPEN TUES–FRI NOON–2PM, 5.30PM–10.30PM, SAT–MON 5.30PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $6.50–$16, MAINS $16–$24, DESSERTS $5–$5.50
VISA, MC, EF TPOS
Buried among the chicken shops and real estate agents of a strip mall in Melbourne’s outer east is Ganesh, an unremarkable-looking Indian restaurant with some pretty darn fine food. The only thing really worth mentioning about Ganesh is its food. The decor is ordinary; the service is ordinary; the wine list is ordinary. But the food is not ordinary at all. The menu is stuffed with rich, savoury morsels, like spicy raita, a tender goat curry, a buttery tandoori platter, topnotch saag, a melting beef vindaloo, delicious pickles and a really magnificent eggplant thing called baingan-bhartha. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and a whole page on the menu is devoted to exotic stuffed breads. With the wealth of good Indian food in the inner suburbs, it might not be worth a pilgrimage to Blackburn station, but if you find yourself in the east and hungry for some Bollywood pop and butter chicken, Ganesh is your man.
Global Vegetarian
VEGETARIAN
158 HIGH STREET, KEW
(03) 9855 2258 • MAP P.298
UNLICENSED
OPEN MON–SAT NOON–2.30PM, 5PM–9PM
ENTREES $2.50–$8.80, MAINS $5.50–$12, DESSERTS $4–$6
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
LOCATION ALSO IN ORMOND
Global Vegetarian opened not too long ago in the heart of Kew Junction and has slowly been gaining a strong lunchtime following of Kew workers, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. With great lunchtime specials, there’s no wonder Global Veg is packed at noon. There aren’t many places these days you can get a massive bowl of noodles or fried rice for $5.50. The staff members are a lovely, smiling bunch and the food is tasty if simple. The menu truly is global, with a predominantly Asian influence, but some Italian and Mexican input too, just for good measure. Offering no-oil, low-salt, gluten-free, vegan, and garlic/onion-free options as well as standard vegetarian fare, Global Veg is great for groups of people with differing food needs. If you’re not a Kew local, it’s definitely worth making a trek out for a cheap yummy lunch here. Just don’t listen to those who snigger and say, ‘Oh really, is it in Near Kew or Far Kew?’
Hills BBQ Noodle Shop
CHINESE
586 STATION STREET, BOX HILL
(03) 9899 3382 • MAP P.299
UNLICENSED
OPEN DAILY 10AM–2AM
ENTREES $4–$7, MAINS $8–$29.50, DESSERTS $4–$5, BANQUETS $58–$368
CASH ONLY
Hills BBQ Noodle Shop (or ‘Hills’, for those in the know) is a little piece of Hong Kong in the heart of Box Hill. Locals frequent the noisy, cheerful restaurant for comforting bowls of rice congee, traditional Hong Kong noodle dishes and their famous barbecued meats. Crispy roast pork and glistening roast ducks hang invitingly in the window and are replenished regularly throughout the day. Stay longer than twenty minutes and you will see whole beasts brought out freshly cooked from the kitchen, still steaming. Also wonderful is the beef and vegetables on fried noodles: all crispy egg noodles sodden with a deeply savoury sauce, topped generously with beef and fresh gai laan – an absolute bargain at only $8.50. Service can be brusque, but it all adds to the charm of the place. Hills is open every single day of the year from lunch until 2am supper, and is almost constantly bustling. For those in a more extravagant mood, shared banquets are available, but most come in for the quick and cheap-as-chips individual dishes.
New Royal Garden
CHINESE
570 HIGH STREET ROAD, MOUNT WAVERLEY
(03) 9886 1388 • MAP P.275
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $1.50 A HEAD
OPEN DAILY 11AM–3PM, 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $5–$10, MAINS $17–$45, DESSERTS $5–$6
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Despite the tired decor and worn-out furnishings, there are reasons that New Royal Garden has so many regulars who return time and time again. Those reasons are the food and the service. From the moment you walk in the door, the staff show themselves to be fast and efficient. They cater to everyone, with an impressive selection of vegetarian options available, and are happy to accommodate other dietary requirements on request. Lunchtime yum cha is insanely busy and you won’t get a seat without booking in advance, but it’s definitely worth the effort. If you’re there for dinner, the beef in black pepper sauce should not be missed. Thick cuts of tender beef cooked perfectly make this one of their standout dishes, and a great example of how well the chefs here really know their food. Definitely one of the better Chinese restaurants in the eastern suburbs, it’s well worth a visit if you want to experience something that is both good quality and good value.
Ocha2Go
JAPANESE
64 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9819 6928 • MAP P.298
LICENSED & BYO
OPEN TUES–FRI 11.30AM–2.30PM, 5.30PM–9.30PM, SAT &SUN 5.30PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $7–$15.50, MAINS $10.50–$16.50, DESSERTS $6.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Ocha2Go is the casual sister of Hawthorn’s Ocha, that stalwart of Japanese fine dining. It offers reasonably priced, well-executed modern Japanese cuisine and, judging by the lines of customers out the door, it’s hitting all the right notes with the locals. If dining in, the process is simple: secure a table, make an order at the counter and wait for your meal to arrive. With a more adventurous menu than your standard suburban Japanese takeaway, Ocha2Go doesn’t just include teriyaki chicken and udon soups. How about a bowl of soboro rice? This unusual yet comforting dish of soy- and mirin-flavoured minced chicken with crumbly egg and peas is popular. Pork and kimchi ramen, tofu burgers and salmon tartare also make an appearance, all at less than $20. Vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are clearly marked, which is welcome news for both vegetarians and coeliacs who’d given up on soy- and fish-based Japanese cuisine. Home delivery is available for those in the local area but, given how quickly they churn through customers, the wait for a table is never that long.
Redbean
MALAYSIAN
430 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9815 2488 • MAP P.298
BYO, CORKAGE $1 A HEAD
OPEN MON–FRI 11AM–3PM, 5PM–9.30PM, SAT 6PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $3–$10, MAINS $15.50–$20.50, DESSERTS $4.50–$5.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
The smoky smell of the wok is the first thing that hits you as you enter Redbean, a small, friendly Malaysian eatery opposite Swinburne University. Its home-style meals, cheap prices and friendly service make it a favourite of homesick Malaysian students. Standard suburban Cantonese classics are all covered (think sweet and sour pork and beef in black bean sauce), but your best bet is to go for the Malaysian favourites, which are both authentic and nourishing. Try the Ipoh chaar hor fun, fried hokkien mee or Hainanese chicken rice for a great feed. Vegetarians are also well covered, with more than twenty veg meals on the menu. Service is quick, and each dish is cooked to order and served piping hot. While the smoky wok smell is delicious, the ventilation isn’t the greatest and the smell tends to linger in hair and clothes. Still, it’s a small price to pay for such cheap and tasty meals!
TOP 10 YUM CHA
BEST YUM CHA IN MELBOURNE? THERE COULDN’T BE A MORE VEXED QUESTION! HERE ARE TEN STARTERS WHERE YOU CAN MEET YOUR PALS, GATHER YOUR FAMILY AND ENJOY TUCKER FROM A TROLLEY.
Dragon Boat Palace
149 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE • (03) 9639 0888 •
WWW.DRAGONBOAT.COM.AU • LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE
$2 A BOTTLE • OPEN DAILY 11AM–11PM • ENTREES $3.80–$13,
MAINS $16–$85, DESSERTS $4–$6 • ALL MAJOR CARDS
ACCEPTED
As loud and chaotic as a yum cha restaurant should be, Dragon Boat Palace is packed to its gaudy chandeliers every weekend with a broad clientele sampling possibly the city’s biggest range of tasty morsels.
East Imperial
323 RATHDOWNE STREET, CARLTON • (03) 9347 3322 •
WWW.EASTIMPERIAL.COM.AU • LICENSED • OPEN TUES–SUN
NOON–3PM, 6PM–LATE • ENTREES $6.80–$14.50, MAINS
$13.50–$28, DESSERTS $6.50 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
The pork is lean and sweet in the char siu bao, the lighting is low and the service swift. This is yum cha dining at its most sophisticated.
Golden Dragon Palace
363 MANNINGHAM ROAD, LOWER TEMPLESTOWE •
(03) 9852 4086 • WWW.GOLDENDRAGONPALACE.COM.AU •
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $9.50 A BOTTLE • OPEN MON–FRI
11.30AM–3PM, 6PM–LATE, SAT & SUN 11AM–3PM, 6PM–LATE
• ENTREES $3.60–$14, MAINS $18–$38, DESSERTS $4–$9.50
• ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
This place buzzes with laughter and good vibes, the dumplings have a good texture – not too doughy – and there are plenty of vegetable side dishes to accompany your glutinous treats. Seafood is a highlight and the service is friendly.
Gold Leaf
SHOP 7, 417–419 HIGH STREET, PRESTON • (03) 9470 2882 •
WWW.GOLDLEAFRESTAURANT.COM.AU • LICENSED & BYO,
CORKAGE $4 A BOTTLE • OPEN MON–FRI 11.30AM–3PM,
5.30PM–10.30PM, SAT & SUN 11AM–3PM, 5.30PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $4.30–$18, MAINS $16–$39.50, DESSERTS
$5–$9.90 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Remember the good old days of yum cha – golden dragons, rotating chandeliers, daggy muzak? Gold Leaf serves competently executed classic dishes in a formula they’ve rolled out from Sunshine to Springvale.
Lucky Chan
SHOP 42, CROW N CASINO, 8 WHITEMAN STREET,
SOUTHBANK • (03) 9696 3966 • LICENSED • OPEN MON–FRI
11.30AM–LATE, SAT & SUN 11AM–LATE • YUM CHA DISHES
$6.50–$11.50 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Rarely do you get a view with your yum cha, but here you can gaze across the Yarra and the historic Polly Woodside. Popular with tourists, Lucky Chan offers approximately fifty dishes with a focus on seafood, which means your meal can get pricey.
The long à la carte menu is handy, and the decidedly modern fit-out is a welcome addition to a yum cha session. There’s a good range of vegetarian options, the chairs are super-comfortable and the park views – well, any view – sets Mahjong apart.
Shanghai Dynasty
LEVEL 1, 206 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE • (03) 9663 7770
• LICENSED • OPEN MON–SAT 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–
10.30PM, SUN 11AM–3PM, 5.30PM–10.30PM • ENTREES
$4.50–$25, MAINS $12–$78, DESSERTS $7.80–$18 •
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
The decor here is gilded to within an inch of its life and the tables well spaced throughout this enormous restaurant. Dumpling skins are delicate and translucent, the congee smooth and silky and the bill surprisingly affordable.
Shark Fin Inn
50 LITTLE BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE • (03) 9662 2681 •
WWW.SHARKFIN.COM.AU • LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2.50
A HEAD • OPEN MON–SAT 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–1.30AM,
SUN 11AM–3PM, 5.30PM–1.30AM • ENTREES $3.80–$28,
MAINS $12–$36, DESSERTS $6 • ALL MAJOR CARDS
ACCEPTED
This yum cha institution bustles with weekly family gatherings set elbow to elbow, but the service is super-speedy despite the occasional trolley jam. The choice of dishes is broad and there are plenty of sweet options.
Ten dedicated yum cha chefs – all imported from Hong Kong – means a vast selection of authentic delights, from crispy jellyfish to sweet durian. Tai Pan is certainly worth the drive to Doncaster.
Tao Tao House
815 GLENFERRIE ROAD, HAWTHORN • (03) 9818 0968 •
WWW.TAOTAOHOUSE.COM.AU • LICENSED • OPEN
MON–THURS NOON–10PM, FRI NOON–11PM, SAT 11AM–11PM,
SUN 11AM–10PM • ENTREES $5.50–$12, MAINS $20–$30,
DESSERTS $6.50–$12 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
This new house of happiness from former Flower Drum dim sum chef Jason Au serves delicate handmade dumplings with great texture. There’s more variety at lunch on weekends, and signature dishes on the à la carte menu should also be investigated.
TOP 10 MEALS ON WHEELS
MELBURNIANS INCREASINGLY LIKE THEIR FOOD SERVED WITH A TWIST. HERE ARE TEN OF THE BEST SERVING MEALS ON WHEELS.
Beatbox Kitchen
WWW.BEATBOXKITCHEN.COM • UNLICENSED • CHECK WEBSITE FOR OPENING HOURS • CHIPS $5, BURGERS $11 • CASH ONLY
This nomadic kitchen and ghetto-blaster pops up in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and sometimes at festivals too. The grass-fed Tasmanian beef burgers are undoubtedly the best you’ll get from the back of a truck.
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
(03) 9696 4000 • WWW.TRAMRESTAURANT.COM.AU • LICENSED • OPEN DAILY 1PM–3PM, 5.45PM–LATE • Lunch $82.50, dinner $77–$137.50 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
The world’s first travelling tramcar restaurant has been a hit with special occasion diners since 1983. The menu is limited, but the Victorian focus and all-inclusive bar will have you smiling as you ride the rails around town.
Mart 130
107A CANTERBURY ROAD, MIDDLE PARK • (03) 9690 8831 • UNLICENSED • OPEN DAILY 7.30AM–5PM • BREAKFASTS $7.90–$15.90, LUNCHES $9.90–$16.90 • NO BOO KINGS • CASH ONLY
The perfect breakfast or lunchbreak for commuters and tramspotters, this delightful cafe was once a stationmaster’s building but now serves good coffee and serious eggs with views across the tracks.
Vietnamese hawker Miss Chu is now selling her famous rice paper rolls and dumplings from the back of a growing fleet of electric bicycles.
Olympic Doughnuts
51 IRVING STREET, FOOTSCRAY • (03) 9689 4819 • UNLICENSED • OPEN MON–SAT 9AM–6.30PM • DOUGHNUTS $0.70 • CASH ONLY
While Footscray station has experienced myriad facelifts since the 1950s, Olympic Doughnuts remains defiant in the face of change. A sugary hot jam doughie from here is an essential Melbourne experience.
Spanish Donut Van
D SHED, QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET, MELBOURNE • UNLICENSED • OPEN TUES & THURS 6AM–2PM, FRI 6AM–5PM, SAT 6AM–3PM, SUN 9AM–4PM • CHURROS $1, SAUSAGES $5 • CASH ONLY
Chocolate-dipped and sugar-coated, these Spanish churros have been putting smiles on Spaniards and sweet tooths alike since the 1970s. And their sausages will put a hot dog’s tail between its legs.
STREAT
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY STUDENT UNION BUILDING • (03) 9629 4222 • WWW.STREAT.COM.AU • UNLICENSED • OPEN MON–FRI 8.30AM–4PM • SANDWICHES $8.50 • CASH ONLY
Well-priced and tasty hawker food (think Moroccan chicken with harissa, slow-roasted Argentinian beef sambo or Korean pork with kimchi), STREAT is staffed by homeless youth in a supported pathway to long-term employment.
Taco Truck
WWW.TACOTRUCK.COM.AU • UNLICENSED • CHECK WEBSITE FOR OPENING HOURS • TACOS $6 • CASH ONLY
Taking tacos to the streets, the Taco Truck rewards unsuspecting locals and Twitter tragics with a choice of three types of tacos at just $6 a pop. The all-corn tortilla means this meal is also entirely gluten-free.
Tiffins
1300 843 346 • WWW.TIFFINS.COM.AU • UNLICENSED • DELIVERIES MON–FRI 11AM–1.30PM • LUNCHES $11–$12 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
These famously punctual Mumbai lunch couriers now deliver their delicious home-style curries, dahls, rotis and naan to the Melbourne CBD and Docklands!
Town Hall Kebabs
246 SYDNEY ROAD, BRUNSWICK • (03) 9387 3125 • UNLICENSED • OPEN SUN–FRI 10AM–2AM, SAT 10AM–4AM • CHIPS $2.50, KEBABS $7–$12 • CASH ONLY
Juicy kebabs, fluffy falafel and views of the Brunswick Town Hall can all be enjoyed from the rudimentary outdoor setting. You can even get your car washed while you eat.
Samurai
JAPANESE
804 GLENFERRIE ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9819 4858 • MAP P.298
UNLICENSED
OPEN MON & TUES, THURS & FRI 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–9.30PM, SAT 12.30PM–3PM, 5.30PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $3.50–$6.50, MAINS $7.80–$12, DESSERTS $4, BANQUETS $15
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
This bustling little takeaway always seems jam-packed, even late on a rainy weeknight, so it might help to channel the skills of a ninja to score a coveted seat during peak times. Once you do find a chair the pay-off is fast, filling food that tastes as if it came from one of the more casual noodle houses in Tokyo. Samurai isn’t kaiseki or haute Japanese cuisine but you will happily settle in to slurp warming bowls of udon or wolf down prawn or chicken donburi. The menu also features plenty of vegetarian options, from tempura vegetables to nasu dengaku (eggplant with miso sauce). You can partake in a four-course feast, consisting of your choice of soup, entree, main and drink or dessert, for a measly $15. And if they ever take the green tea milkshake (essentially like sucking ice cream through a straw) off the menu the local university student population may just start a riot.
Sushi House Ben K
JAPANESE
344 BURWOOD ROAD, HAWTHORN
(03) 9819 3217 • MAP P.298
UNLICENSED
OPEN MON–FRI 11.30AM–2.30PM, 5PM–9PM, SAT & SUN 5PM–9PM
ENTREES $2–$7, MAINS $8–$18.50
NO BOOKINGS
CASH ONLY
Don’t be fooled by its drab exterior: Sushi House Ben K is a spectacular sushi bar. She might not be much to look at – think plastic chairs and kitschy piscine decorations – but this teeny Japanese eatery, which is tucked into a quiet corner on Burwood Road, offers fresh and flavoursome sushi that’s worth making the trip to Hawthorn for. Drop by for some quick takeaway temaki (handrolls) or eat in and share a plate of salmon nigiri with friends. If the thought of eating raw fish makes you squirm, try the authentic octopus balls or Osaka’s favourite, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake). All this is complemented by welcoming, polite service. And even though this place pumps most nights, you never get the feeling of being urged to move on. With food this good Ben K probably deserves a better location. But that doesn’t stop the stream of sushi lovers coming through the door. Even in the final minutes before closing a hopeful student or business-type can be seen ducking inside, eager to grab some last-minute sashimi or steaming miso soup.
Tien Dat
VIETNAMESE
3 CARRINGTON ROAD, BOX HILL
(03) 9890 9699 • MAP P.299
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $4 A BOTTLE
OPEN SUN–WED 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–9.30PM, THURS–SAT 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $4.20, MAINS $9.80–$23.80
VISA, AMEX, EF TPOS, $25 MINIMUM
Tien Dat is one of Box Hill’s mainstays, having been there since 1983 and run by the same family. The decor isn’t too flash, suited to a casual eatery for large groups and families. The food hasn’t changed much over the years, still offering staples of refreshing rice-paper rolls, banh cuon (steamed pancake rolls stuffed with prawn or pork), addictive banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes stuffed with mung beans, bean sprouts, prawn or pork and served with lettuce and mixed herbs), bun (vermicelli salads served with your choice of grilled meats and nuoc cham) and pho. Despite a heavy emphasis on traditional Vietnamese cuisine, parts of the menu can be described more accurately as Australian–Chinese, with dishes like scallops with vegetables and cashews, chicken curry, lemon chicken and sweet chilli pork. The turnover is high and the service, though sometimes absent, is fast enough to make you feel as though you need to leave quickly after finishing, so it’s best to know your next destination before pushing your cutlery together.
Bar None
COCKTAIL BAR
72 AUBURN PARADE, CAMBERWELL
(03) 9882 1086 • MAP P.303
OPEN TUES & WED 5PM–LATE, THURS–SAT 5PM–2AM, SUN 3PM–10PM
BEERS $4.50–$9.50, WINES $8–$19, COCKTAILS $16–$20, FOOD $8–$10
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Bar None is a good place for a wine, but it is a great place for a cocktail. They specialise in the classics, particularly old-fashioned drinks from the 1850s to the 1910 era, when sazeracs and martinis ruled. But the expert bartenders can also whip up something so modern it hasn’t been invented yet. With a large premium spirits collection featuring a sturdy range of imported whiskies and ryes, the possibilities are endless. Drinks aside, Bar None sticks to the basics. Food comes in the form of toasted sandwiches and dips (and M&Ms). The layout and furniture are simple; some might call them dull. The owners would doubtless prefer ‘classic’. Either way, it’s comfortable and unpretentious. Continuing the theme of classics, old black and white films are projected, noiselessly, onto a large screen, and the music is limited to a soft thrum so there’s no danger of your conversations being drowned out. Bar None was devastated by a fire at the beginning of 2011, but after a lick of paint and some re-carpeting is ready to serve thirsty customers again.