|
The Boathouse Restaurant and Bar
Noosaville, Queensland One of our favourite restaurants in Noosa is The Boathouse Restaurant and Bar Noosaville. Just a very pleasant 10 minute drive from Noosa Heads beside the river or you can catch a Noosa Ferry for a short boat ride that picks you up from near the Sheraton Hotel on Hastings Street (behind the hotel ) and drops you near The Boathouse. The ferry runs frequently so you can hop on and off where ever it stops. The Boathouse is a great restaurant on pontoons on the Noosa River. You can sit on the balcony and have a great view of the river and the town opposite. You will see fish swimming around as you look over the balcony and there are always plenty of birds and wild life. The inside of the restaurant still has a great view of the water if you prefer to eat inside. The Boathouse also has a great bar and a function room upstairs for weddings etc. If you are pressed for time there is a window at the front where you can buy your fish and chips on the run. The food here is excellent and the service is always very friendly and efficient. There is a 2 course lunch special with a glass of wine for $28.00, great value for the quality of the food and the presentation. Unlike some lunch specials the serves are adequate. I can highly recommend the Macadamia Coated Chicken with Avocado and Tomato salsa. We also had the Calamari which was divine. I finished with a dessert and the Mango and Raspberry tart served with Vanilla Ice Cream was amazing. When we are in Noosa we always frequent The Boathouse. In our opinion it is one of the top restaurants in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast area. Noosaville is a great area to visit as there are many shops including clothing, knick knacks, shoes just to name a few. www.boathouserestaurant.com.au/ Above The Boathouse Restaurant and Bar Noosaville, Queensland
Berth, Docklands, Melbourne
If you enjoy looking out at the water while you dine then Berth at New Quay Docklands in Melbourne will surely please.
The restaurant has great views over the Marina and Docklands and is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try the vegetarian breakfast it's delicious with awesome serves. The lunches and dinners are always good value as well. There is also a function room upstairs for weddings or any large function. The menu at Berth is modern cuisine with reasonably priced dishes that are always good quality and the service is great. The Prawn Risotto is always a favourite and I love the Sticky Date Pudding for dessert. My husband goes for the Eye Fillet which is always superbly cooked and he likes to finish with the divine Creme Brûlée. We take overseas friends and family to Berth, as its location and the ambience of the restaurant is very pleasant and everyone enjoys it here. There is a bar if you want to pop in for a quick cocktail after work, the staff are always friendly and the food never disappoints. Berth is one of our favourites and is close by Waterfront City and Costco if you want to do a spot of shopping before or after a relaxing lunch. www.berth.com.au Above Berth Docklands, MelbourneThe Middle Brighton Baths, Brighton, Melbourne The Middle Brighton Baths is a great restaurant in a beautiful setting. Sit and dine while looking out to sea, what a breathtaking view. There is a two course set menu this includes a glass of wine, or if you prefer choose from an exciting A La Carte menu. Maybe the Twice Cooked Pork Belly or Kingfish Sashimi take your fancy, or if the decision is too hard how about the Chef’s Tasting Plate ( shared minimum of 2). For mains we had the Duck Breast and Barramundi which were delicious but all the dishes on offer sound interesting. As for dessert, an old favourite, Pavlova with Kiwi Fruit, Passionfruit Sabayon and Chantilly Cream was divine with the Roasted Banana Split, Cherry Ice Cream, Aero Chocolate & Coffee Caramel coming a close second. There is also a Chef’s Tasting menu on offer with matched wines. If you choose to dine on a Sunday night it is BYO with no corkage. The wine menu has a good selection of local and imported wines. If you prefer something a bit more casual the Cafe & Bar also has an excellent menu. The Middle Brighton Baths, offers great food and service and is definately worth a visit. www.middlebrightonbaths.com.au Above The Middle Brighton Baths Brighton Victoria
Paris Go Carlton, Melbourne A little piece of heaven or Paris in Melbourne. I love this restaurant, my favourite French restaurant outside Paris. The food is always of a high standard, service and atmosphere is very French the waiters very attentive and friendly. We chose Andouillette Braisee a la Moutarde as an entree (Provincial pork sausage served on a mustard sauce). For our mains on this visit we selected Goujons de poisson a la sauce tartare (Fresh fish in beer batter with tartare sauce) and Canard a la Montmorency (Confit Leg, Roasted Breast in a port, red current & wild baby figs). I could not go past The Profitèroles, Choux pastry filled with vanilla ice-cream, topped with hot chocolate sauce for dessert it was just delicious. However any dish we have had here has been delicious with many varied delicacies. You will find it hard to choose. The home baked bread here is to die for you will want to order more. www.parisgo.com.au/ Above Paris Go Carlton, Melbourne
Grossi Florentino, The Restaurant Melbourne. If you love old world style with the charm of another era you cannot go past the upstairs formal area at beautiful Grossi Florentino in Bourke Street Melbourne. Walk into the dining room and you instantly feel as though you are somewhere special. The walls are covered in the most magnificent murals, with silver service and the wait staff ready to cater to your requirements, it is total luxury. Some of the delights on the menu, Lobster Tortellini, Braised Rabbit with White Wine and Thyme or maybe Freemantle Octopus. The King George Whiting with an Orange Crust is devine, not to mention the Slow Cooked Wagyu Rump Cap. As for dessert, Butterscotch Semifreddo, Caramelised Banana, Armagnac Ice Cream are scrumptuous. If you prefer something a little less opulent try Florentino’s The Grill and The Cellar Bar. The website below has all the information. www.grossiflorentino.com Above Grossi Florentino
The Healesville Hotel Healesville, Victoria The Healesville Hotel is a typical country style hotel but with a bit of a modern twist to the menu. If you are at the Hotel in winter you can dine by a cosy open fire place and enjoy your meal and a glass of wine while looking at the mist over the mountains in the distance. Start off with Dips and Turkish breads or go straight for the mains. The Fish and Chips are always good here and the Herbed Crusted Chicken is delicious. There is plenty to choose from, you can have a snack or 3 course meal but whatever you choose will be served with country hospitality. The Hotel Dining Room is a little more formal. You can’t beat the Roasted Duck Breast with Pine and Nut Aioli, Local Figs, Beetroot and Quinoa Salad or the Yeringberg Lamb, Parsnip Skordalia, Eildon Hill Olive Tepenade Jus. There are several tempting desserts on the menu but the one I chose was K & W 70% chocolate tart, scorched almond brittle & thick cream. Great way to end a meal. Healesville is a short drive form Melbourne CBD 1.5 hours approximately and on the way why not stop at some of the great wineries in the Yarra Valley for a nice bottle of red to take home. www.healesvillehotel.com.au/ 
|
Tazio Restaurant, Melbourne
Tazio Restaurant in Melbourne is one of those places you wonder why you have not been to before, but glad that you finally did. Located in Flinders Lane it is a very trendy restaurant and bar. A favourite with local business people for a drink after work as well as the gourmet diner who is looking for a restaurant with great food and an ambiance to match. Why not start off with Pork & Veal Meatballs with Basil and Parmesan or Spicy Dusted Calamari with Lemon Aioli or one of the many other delights. One of our favourites, and there are many is the Roast Duck. I love it and the Braised Beef Cheek was a crowd pleaser with the people at our table. Something I haven’t seen in restaurants often is Polenta Chips they were really tasty and a change from potato chips but having said that the Fries are really good here too. As for dessert, the Tiramisu is to die for. However I have had this Chef’s Fried Custard with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Berries before and WOW, it is hard to resist. If you love custard, this is for you. The atmosphere is very hip, the food fabulous and the service extremely attentive. The owner/manager seems to have ticked all the boxes with this great venue. The wine list is tempting and there is a good variety of local and Imported beers. www.tazio.com.au 
Above Tazio Restaurant, MelbourneCaterina's Restaurant, Melbourne
Walk down the stairs into Caterina’s Restaurant and you instantly feel you are in Italy. Antique mirrors and Venetian masks make for a delightful feel about the space, one could think they were part of an Italian Opera. The service is second to none. You are greeted by one of the very well versed wait staff, who as well as presenting you with the menu will reel off the specials menu. That is impressive to say the least. Caterina is at the restaurant daily and will often welcome you herself. Caterina also has a very successful weekly cooking show on Channel 31 “Regional Italian Cooking “ with some great recipes. The restaurant is a lunch only venue but can be booked for weddings or other events at other times. Caterina seems to have a knack for making her guests enjoy their dining experience by taking the time to have a chat and you feel more like a friend than a patron. The food at Caterina’s is consistently good. The service always of a very high standard the only problem you will have is trying to decide what to order. www.caterinas.com.au Above Caterina's Restaurant, MelbourneFiorelli Italian Restaurant Camberwell, Melbourne Fiorelli Restaurant in Camberwell is perfect if you are looking for something a little up market. The menu at Fiorelli is always good, it is one of those restaurants you can go to and know that you will enjoy your meal and come away completely satisfied. I love the Risotto at Fiorelli, it is creamy and very tasty, if you don’t eat chicken or seafood you can have it without the chicken or prawns. The Twice Cooked Duck is also delicious. You will be spoilt for choice with the menu having so many tempting dishes. As for dessert, The Lemon Tart is great but I think for the chocoholic in all of us the Hot Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla Bean Ice cream is a must. If you want something not quite so decadent you will find other equally as appealing options on the menu. The service at Fiorelli is attentive and the ambience of the restaurant makes for a pleasurable dining experiene. The wine list is excellent. On Valentine’s Day take your partner for a special evening they will always remember. Fiorelli, has been a part of Camberwell for many years so I think that speaks volumes as to the quality of their food and service. www.fiorellirestaurant.com.au 
Above Fiorelli Italian Restaurant Camberwell
Pasta Pronto Noosa Junction,
Noosa Heads, Queensland If you want a casual dining experience with good Italian food then Pasta Pronto in Noosa Heads is the place to be. The owner has won many awards over the years and it's easy to see why, their pasta is great. They specialize in pasta, risotto and pizza and the combinations of the meals on offer are varied and the pasta is always freshly made. My personal favourite the Roasted Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Ravioli with a Roasted Capsicum & Tomato Sauce. Maybe a gourmet pizza is more your style, there is a varied selection and they are consistently good. If take away is what you are looking for you can get anything on the menu you desire. Want to cook yourself? Buy the fresh made daily pasta in many varieties and cook at home yourself. You can buy pre made sauces to cook at home too. Pasta Pronto make great food, so drop by for a meal next time you are in Noosa, you will love it. Check out the full menu on the link below. www.pastaprontonoosa.com Above Pasta Pronto Noosa Junction Queensland
Mt Rael Healesville ,Victoria Mt Rael Healesville is about an 1.5 hours from Melbourne CBD. A beautiful scenic drive through the Yarra Valley to Healesville you will find this gem of a restaurant. In the summer you can dine on the balcony if you wish, inside the restaurant there is a fire place to keep you cosy and warm in winter. The food at Mt Rael is always delicious, having tried many of their delights over the years we have never been dissapointed. The menu changes with the seasons. The Autumn menu has divine dishes such as Rabbit Terrine, Rhubarb Chutney, Grilled Sourdough as an entree or how about a selection of Yarra Glen Mushrooms, Roasted Heirloom Pumpkin, Pumpkin Seed Crumble. For a main you can’t go past the Pan roasted Duck Breast, du Puy Lentils, Spiced Plum or you may prefer Autumn Vegetable Cassoulet or one of the many other dishes. The chocolate lover will be impressed with the Kennedy & Wilson Chocolate “three ways”, how decadent is that. There are several other equally tempting desserts on the menu if you prefer. If you want to make it more than a lunch, Mt Rael has excellent accommodation on site and is well known as a wedding venue. Do yourself a favour, take a pleasant drive to Healesville and enjoy what Mt Rael has to offer. www.mtrael.com.au Above Mt Rael Healesville
The Stokehouse St Kilda, Melbourne Original Stokehouse Restaurant was burnt down in 2014 and is closed while rebuilding. The Stokehouse in St Kilda is another favourite with magnificent views looking out to the bay. The restaurant is situated right on the sand, the sea view unobstructed. The Restaurant is upstairs and there is a Bar and Grill downstairs for more informal dining. For an entree we selected the Seared Atlantic Scallops, with Cauliflower, Dukkah, Caper and Raison Sauce, magnificent. For the main it would be hard to go past the Huon Ocean Trout Fillet, Snap Peas, Fennel and Orange Salad, Bug Meat and Diamond Clams. The pasta’s are really good here. Dessert was a hard decision with so many yummy sounding dishes, however the Lemon and Lime Infused Pineapple, Coconut Cake with Lime Syrup and Ice Cream was a hit. The Milk Chocolate Caramel Mousse, Banana Bread, Rum Syrup, Dark Chocolate Sorbet was pretty much up there with it. The Stokehouse has an excellent wine menu to complement your meal. The food and the service is always spot on whether it be the main restaurant or the grill bar. If you prefer a more casual meal the downstairs Grill may be for you, among their other delights the Pizza is really good. The website has all the menu’s and details. www.stokehousemelbourne.com.au |
