Address:
819 Burke Rd
Melbourne, 3123
(03) 9882 0777
Food: International, Italian
Average price: $15 - 32 for mains.
Complimentary: Nothing.
We ordered:
Main: Chicken Parmigiana with chips - $23.95
Nanna loved this but she will love any Chicken Parma (hers was the one with ham).
Mr.M on the other hand found it to be an average parma.
Pea & haloumi fritters - $14.95
These were quite soft and full of mushy peas, which was fine as I quite enjoy mushy peas. The haloumi was cubed and therefore still very firm, I think it would have been better grated that way the saltiness would have been evenly spread throughout the pea fritters and the cheese would have been a little melted. The fritters were served with tomato and avocado with a yoghurt sauce and a slice of lemon. The acidity was definitely needed as the fritters are quite sweet on their own. Overall I quite enjoyed this dish.
Dessert: Creme Brulee
As soon as I saw the topping I knew it wouldn't 'crack' beneath my spoon and I was right. Therefore it failed the first test which is a hard, toffee crust. The second test is the custard. I prefer a vanilla flecked, not overly sweet, with smooth, not too firm but not too liquid texture. This, whilst gorgeously vanilla flecked, was a touch too liquid for me. Instead of leaving a white space once a spoonful had been scooped out the custard slowly began to viscously ooze into the space. Whilst not a great creme brulee it also wasn't the worst I have had. I still ate the lot.
Lemon tart
Nanna and Madame A both thoroughly enjoyed this dish, having ordered it for the second time.
Cost: $136.50 for 4 mains, two desserts and two cafe lattes.
Service: OK. Food came out pretty fast but we had to ask to have our water refilled.
Atmosphere: Cafe-esque. Despite being one of the more 'upmarket' eating establishments on Burke rd it still has a very typical cafe feel of that hustle and bustle and medium noise level. On the plus side the tables are decently spaced apart and the seating comfortable. The decor is neutrals with mostly dark brown tones and charcoal walls.
Parking: Limited metered street parking, but there is nearby 2hour free parking at Target etc around the corner on Prospect Hill Road.
Website: None.
Hours: Open Daily 10am-11pm
Would I return: Yes - for a cafe style lunch it was rather good and reasonably priced. They have recently opened a more 'refined' and therefore expensive restaurant on the second level.
The presentation does look quite nice tho, a bit unfortunate about the taste department :(
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