Melbourne Restaurants

Having traveled to many countries around the world I have come to tell myself to never expect good coffee in the morning! But Melbourne was a pleasant surprise. There are many cafes on St Kilda Rd but the one I liked the best of them all was Cafe Promenade- I made it a habit to drop in here and get myself a coffee and a muffin everyday! In fact for about a week after I got back home I missed this breakfast!!

Favorite Dish: Their assortment of muffins

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The funny thing was that 2 locals insisted i eat at this place and tell them if truly it is Indian cuisine they serve!! SO curious and hungry we reached there at around 8PM. I ordered the veggie thali which came with some complimentary chaach! The food was superb! The bhaingan ka bharta is something that was even better than what we cook at home! :)

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Eccentric paintings line the walls, the waiters all have great taste in music and fashion, the lighting is just low enough not to hurt your eyes after a night out, and the food is sublime.

I highly recommend it to anyone who just finished up a big night.

Favorite Dish: Eggs on wholemeal toast with smashed avocado complete with a Berocca. It's like they know I'm hurting and want to help.

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One of the truly great Melbourne traditions since 1883 is High Tea at The Windsor Hotel. Although expensive it really is an afternoon of total indulgence.

The hotel seems to have gone out of the way and hired the most attentive waiting staff judging from my afternoon and paid for by Cooks’ Cottage where I am a once a week volunteer site guide. All up, a great thank you gift.

We arrived and were shown to our well-appointed table in a beautiful room and sat down to the set ready for high tea round table. A glass of Moscato was poured and we were offered tea or coffee. A glass of chilled water was already in place to quench the thirst.

Soon after arriving we were presented with a triple tier of tasty goodies to eat. Top layer plate contained 3 different fillings of delicious hot savories, bottom layer ribbon sandwiches and that was 5 different fillings. Sandwiched between (pun intended) was the plate that the girls all went wild about – 5 different bite sized cakes (OK I lied – ladies would never wolf down those dainty little cakes). From a large basket waiters presented each diner with 2 freshly baked scones to be eaten with double cream and a choice of 2 different jams (jellies if you are from North America).

Throughout the afternoon our tea or coffee cups were re-filled as necessary. There is an extensive selection of different teas – one of our party over-indulged in “Glorious Blooming Teas.” (See photo of glass tea pot)

My suggestion is to go to the high tea hungry and forget all about calories and watching the weight. There should be an official weight watchers warning issued for The Windsor High Tea.

Pre-bookings essential for weekends and a little warning for the gentlemen – the ‘men’s’ is quite a long walk from the restaurant – strongly suggest that you ‘go before you really need to go’ (yes I know that we should not discuss such mundane and ‘common’ things while talking about THE high tea)..

See web site for pricing and booking details

Aloi Na in the Hardware Lane restaurant precinct is the place I head to when I fancy a Thai meal full of freshly ingredients. The restaurant does also offer a variety of Asian inspired dishes but I mostly choose the Green Chicken Curry which comes to the table in a funky terracotta dish with its own candle powered burner. I usually have coconut rice to accompany this dish and ALWAYS enjoy it.

There is plenty of seating inside. I would probably book in advance for a larger party but I normally dont have any trouble getting a table for two any night. If the weather is pleasant the outside tables provide the added bonus of both a great meal and great people watching opportunities.

Oh and the staff are lovely, friendly but efficient. This is a casual relaxed dining experience.

Favorite Dish: The beef massaman curry is beautiful, one of the best I have eaten.

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Melbourne 2012.

Well this restaurant has new owners...new decor...and a new menu....and an excellent reputation for fine dining. Though the dining style is advertised as casual... the food is fine...and you do not need to wear a bow tie!

From the outside the restaurant appears a little uninspiring... I found the decor quite dark inside as well...must be trendy these days ,
Our table looked out to the River Yarra and we had a splendid view of the "explosion of light " attraction that lights up the evening sky.

Favorite Dish: You will enjoy the fish...it will melt in your mouth... so examine the menu and choose for yourself.

The menu is mostly fish with a few other choices.

Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Sunday

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There is now a new restaurant...The Atlantic.

A Birthday Dinner

Well part of the title is "Fish Market". That does not sound "upmarket" does it? Well it is upmarket. And beautiful fresh seafood seems to be a specialty.
Best to book and ask for an inside table with view of the river. You can dine al fresco but smoking is still allowed in Melbourne so if you are outside you could be close to a smoking table..

We had our special inside table and saw the flame of fire across the Yarra River... whatever it is that lights up the area from time to time. Missed a photo opportunity.

It cost $A80 per person which did not include alcohol. We each had three courses.

And we had a French waiter. Great. another chance to practise. Merci beaucoup.

Favorite Dish: Just look at the photo of the Whole Baby Snapper and you will know why it is my favourite. My guests said it as the nicest meal they had ever tasted.
And we had apple pie. It was really nice for that type of restaurant but you know I love the old style apple pie best...but not too sweet.

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"jusqu'à la prochaine fois"...Well we certainly will go back the next time we are in Melbourne. It is a delightful little place...great service...great food....and the decor in green is very refreshing....you know how we sometimes call the French "frogs"? Well nearly everyone who looked after us...if not all were frogs..and of course frogs are green..

I do seem to have a fondness for French restaurants.....

So as you stroll down the walkway on the ground floor of the Crown Entertainment Complex do look out for Bistro Guillaume .

At the moment they are serving breakfast as well...not sure if that is permanent.

Open Monday to Sunday from 12pm till late.

Favorite Dish: There is a "plat du jour' for dinner.... Sunday it was Rack of Lamb on a bed of ratatouille, tapenade and zucchini flower . A lunch time special is offered Monday to Saturday...any two courses $A45.

We enjoyed the onion soup, then the king prawns and with avocado cream, tomato, croutons, and cos lettuce for lunch.

For dinner we can recommend the fish dishes..John Dory with buerre noisette capers and lemon or Barramundi with carrot and ginger puree, coriander butter and pommes allumeettes.

My thoughts are look at the menu and choose for yourself...you will not be disappointed.

By the way if you would like a copy of the book "Food for Friends" by Guillaume Brahimi it is available here.