Builders Arms Hotel - Fitzroy

Name: Builders Arms hotel

Address: 211 Gertrude St
Fitzroy 3065 VIC
Phone: (03) 9419 0818

Food: Australian
Average price: Entree - $13, Main - $23, Dessert - $12.

Complimentary: nothing.

Entrees: Crispy pig's cheek with garlic sauce, quail's egg and salad of radish & parsley - $15.


Ryan thought this was nice.

Meat plate of pork rillets, pate & terrine of the day - $16.50.


Ryan hated everything he said "I would only eat this if I had been on Survivor."


Mushrooms & truffled egg yolk on toasted brioche - $13.


The mushrooms were lovely, although the enoki mushrooms were quite rubbery and difficult to chew. The egg yolk was laced with gorgeous truffle, however the brioche was a little stale and lacked that sweet butteryness. Overall the entree was nice.

Mains: Onion tart with witlof, walnuts and gorgonzola - $18.


This was horrible, the tart was complete mush, and sweet but not a nice caramelised onion sweet - almost what I would imagine cat food to be like. The witlof was furry, and the gorgonzola was quite hard and much too bitey.

Sides: Fries - $6. These were greasy and came with a side of mustardy aioli for $2.50.


Desserts: Apple tart tatin with vanilla & cinnamon parfait & butterscotch sauce - $12.


The pastry was completely soggy and both the apples and the parfait were drenched in an extremely bitter butterscotch. The parfait was so frozen solid that I had to use two spoons to try and break a bit off. It tasted like cheap cream with a hint of cinnamon.

Cost: $83 for 3 entrees, 1 side, 1 main and 1 dessert.

Service: Barely none. We were standing in the dining room for 5minutes before the waitress appeared. You order your meal at the booth where you pay upfront and also grab your cutlery. If you want a drink you have to go back out to the bar and bring it back with you. We asked for our entrees and mains to be brought out together - we waited 40mins before they arrived.

Atmosphere: The noise level is quite loud as along with the loud punk-ish music they play in the dining room the sound from the pub and bar area travels trough. I felt the red, white and black flower and paisley motif complete with rooster heads was trying to make the pub feel like it was something it clearly isn't. Although the room, if taken on its own merit, is quite comfortable, it is extremely obvious you are not in a restaurant. The velvet booth seats are very stained and the waitress is wearing cargoes with holes. I didn't feel like hanging around and was glad to leave.


Parking: Street parking - a little busy as the majority of street parking is Permit Zoned but it is possible to get a car spot.

Website: None.

Hours: Fri-Sat noon-3pm
Mon-Thu 6pm-10pm
Fri-Sat 6pm-10pm
Sun 2pm-9pm

Would I return: No - would rather a pub feel like a pub and not a wannabe restaurant with self service.

Persimmon - Melbourne - NGV

Name: Persimmon at the National Gallery of Victoria

Address: Ground Level, NGV
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Call NGV and follow prompts - 8620 2222

Food: ModOz
Average price: Entree - $16, Main - $24, Dessert - $14.
The chef is listed as Raymond Capaldi, however the head chef is Terry Clark.


We ordered:

Entrees: Tasmanian smoked salmon, creme fraiche, chilled English cucumber - $16


I didn't love this as much as I loved the other salmon, cucumber dish we had last time, but it was still wonderful and bursting with flavour and textures.

Rabbit loin & leg, trompette mushroom & artichoke verrine, salted grapes, Dutch carrots, frisse & chive salad, grilled ciabatta - $16


Ryan and his dad really loved this. Ryan said it was really tasty, he wanted more of it and wished it was his main meal.

Mains: Charred 250g certified black angus scotch fillet, jap pumpkin puree, blue cheese fritter - $29

Doris loved this.

Green pea and mint risotto - $19


The flavours were fantastic however the risotto could have been cooked a little longer as they were chewy and chalky.

Baked Kingfish, capsicum & basil piperade, olive tapenades -$26


Louis liked this - it was also gluten free.

Roast saddle of lamb with pistachio & apricots, pommes boulangere, roast baby onions & peas, us gras - $30


Everyone liked it.

Sides: Mixed lettuce leaves as requested.

Desserts: Griotte cherry clafoutis, Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream $14


Full of gorgeous vanilla, and tart cherries.

Lavender meringues, summer berries, mascarpone sorbet, micro basil - $14


This was lovely, fresh berries bursting against the smooth, creamy mascarpone sorbet and the chewy floral meringues. It was in a strawberry soup I think.

Coconut chiboust, coconut snow, salad of macerated mango & pineapple, lemongrass & mint jellies - $13


This was liked.

Coffee parfait, milk chocolate cloud, bitter chocolate sorbet, coffee granita - $15


This was liked.

St Agar blue, spiced pears, toasted walnut bread - $16


Ryan didn't like the blue cheese (it was too strong for him). The pears were nice however the walnut bread was so thin that it was difficult to smear anything without them breaking apart.
Cost: $292 for 3 entrees, 6 mains, 6 desserts, a side, and a glass of wine.

Service: Fantastic. Some of our guests did not eat gluten and both the staff and chefs were accommodating. The waiters are also quite knowledgeable about the menu, we were also asked if we would like to eat our desserts outside to enjoy the sunshine.


Atmosphere: Good. The window seats are lovely as the booth seating is very comfy and the view of the gardens is really calming. It can get a little noisy when full but the tables are well spaced.


Parking: Limited - a tram runs along St Kilda rd and many would use this rather than chance a parking spot. Saying that we managed to get one a block down the road.

Website: None. There is a small mention on the NGV website.
Hours: Daily 11am to 4pm.

Would I return: Yes - this is my 2nd visit and not my last.

Embrasse - Carlton

Name: Embrasse

Address: 312 Drummond St
Carlton 3053 VIC
Phone: (03) 9347 3312

Food: Modern French/Mod Oz
Average prices: Entrees - $17, Mains - $32, Desserts - $18
Complimentary: Two bread rolls with butter, salt and pepper.

Tasting spoons: One with smoked trout, the other was kohlrabi, pumpkin (?). Can't remember the exact ingredients. They were ok, but nothing really memorable.


We ordered:

Entrees: Smoked ocean trout, grated cauliflower, young beetroots, peas Pimprenelle, yarrow - $17


This was rather interesting with the variety of textures and somewhat salty/sea-like flavours.

Milk poached calf liver, golden shallot, potato and fromage blanc, grenache syrup French sorrel, blooded sorrel - $17


Ryan enjoyed this dish but felt it needed more of the secondary flavours to balance the powerful taste of the liver.

Mains: Home grown meli melo of vegetables, sprouts, flowers and herbs, herbs emulsions - $29


I was really disappointed in this dish in that it was quite bland and boring. The vegetables all had that steamed partially firm texture and all seemed to meld into each other. It was quite watery and boring to eat.

Slow cooked beef cheek, pumpkin, chard - $35


Ryan did not enjoy the beef and found the texture unappetising.

Sides: Aligot – a Provincial cheesy mash potato from the South of France - $ 11

This came in a copper pot which the waitress twirled out to place on our plates. It was rubbery like a mozzarella but more so, but also with more flavour. More cheese than potato. but quite nice.

Desserts: Fresh berries from the garden - $16 dollars


Very simple but tasty berries served with cream. Probably not worth $16 though.

Apricots stuffed with our cheesecake; almond gateau and tuille - $18 dollars

I didn't enjoy this. The apricots were pretty much raw and a little tough to slice through with a spoon. The almond cake crumbs were really sweet just seemed to smother the other textures and flavours, I didn't like eating them. The cheese cake tuille was nice and provided much needed smoothness and a liquid component along with the foam(?). I felt the tuilles served no purpose.

Cost: $151 - 2 entrees, 2 mains, 1 side, 2 desserts, 2 bottle of water. Once again when we asked for water we were given the option of still or sparkling. We were hoping to receive tap water but instead were given a 500ml $12 bottle of water. If still means expensive bottled water then we should also be given the 3rd option of tap water.

Service: Excellent. The staff were friendly and accommodating. The chef came out at one stage to ask each patron if their meals were satisfactory.


Atmosphere: Dull. The restaurant only seats around 30 people, when we arrived at 8:15pm there were 13 other diners. There was very little noise, and very little atmosphere. We could see both the street and the kitchen from our table.


Parking: Limited. There is street parking which was full during our 20mins drive around. The nearest paid parking was full until eventually they allowed people to park in reserved parks. It was $8.50 and about 1-2blocks walk. Arrive early as you may be looking for a car park for a while, probably due to its proximity to Lygon street.

Website: http://www.embrasserestaurant.com.au/index.html

Hours: Wed-Sun 6.30pm-9.30pm
Fri noon-9.30pm
Sat-Sun 9.30am-2.30pm

Would I return: No. Food was OK but not spectacular, the ambiance was also lacking. The parking situation was also frustrating.

Mamma's Boys - Kew East

Name: Mamma's Boys

Address: 647 High St
Kew East 3102 VIC
Phone: (03) 9859 0583

Food: Italian.
Average prices: Starters - $12, Entrees - $16, Mains - $25, Desserts - $12
Complimentary: Nothing.


We ordered:

Starters: Bruschetta 'Due- Due' pomodoro and ai funghi - $12


The serving size for a starter was extremely generous, so large in fact we only ate half so as to save room for the rest of the meals. The bruschetta was lovely, th bread was fresh and perfectly chargrilled. I loved the mushroom with lovely hints of garlic and pesto. The tomato was as you would expect a tomato bruschetta to be.

Crochetti di rosa - $12


Assorted crochetti of eggplant, rice and potato accompanied with a Romana sauce. I absolutely loved these. The potato was soft, smooth and perfectly cheesy with the right amount of outer crunch. The eggplant was also perfect and tasty. I didn't like the rice as much probably because I preferred the smooth texture of the other two. They were served with a creamy semi dried tomato (?) sauce which added a great flavour and complimented them well.

Mains: Marco pollo - $26


Pan fried chicken medallions, sauteed in a cream sauce with mushrooms, semi dried tomatoes, pine nuts and spinach, served on seasonal vegetables. Ryan loved this dish - he said it had the perfect amount of flavours and textures to make it interesting and enjoyable.

Spinach & ricotta cannelloni (entree serve) - $16


I downsized my order on the suggestion of the chef, which I think was a smart idea as this is also a huge serving. I was a little disappointed I must say as it was very watery which washed out the flavour - it also tasted like it was frozen and reheated. It was alright, but nothing special.

Desserts: Panetonne Trifle - $12


Panetonne soaked in sugar Whiskey, layered with marinated figs and pastry cream. The range of desserts was a little boring and this seemed the most interesting. But I was also disappointed with this dish. First of all it didn't taste freshly made (my partner asked and it had been made the night before). The pastry cream had a rubbery skin and the texture of a thick mascarpone. The bread tasted stale and it just didn't meld well in your mouth as it was quite dry. We hardly ate it. The waitress asked us for feedback as their menu was newly redesigned.

Cost: $ 78 - 2 starters, 2 mains, 1 dessert.

Service: Fantastic. The waiters were super friendly and accommodating. We wanted our courses to come out consecutively but after watching us eat our starter they suggested we perhaps wait a little longer so we weren't as full, which was wise. Really great service.

Atmosphere: Good. We went at 6:30pm on a Friday so there were only two other tables full. The downstairs area is quite small but there is enough space between tables that you don't feel the need to whisper.


Parking: Ample - there is street parking, but it may get difficult to find a close-by parking later in the evening.
Website: www.mammasboys.com.au 

Hours: Mon-Sat 5pm-11pm

Would I return: Yes.

Kouzina - Doncaster

Name: Kouzina modern Greek & mezze bar

Address: Westfield Doncaster
Shop 2001
619 Doncaster Rd (Cnr Williamsons Rd)
Doncaster 3108 VIC
Phone: (03) 9840 6055

Food: Modern Greek
Average prices: entrees - $11, mains - $25, desserts - $12.
Complimentary - nothing.

We ordered:

Entrees: Pork kebabs - $12.50.


Ryan said they were juicy and tender but definitely needed the tzatziki for flavour.

Flaming saganaki - $13.50.


I'll give points for theatrical display by lighting Metaxa poured over the saganaki. However, the Metaxa completely overwhelmed the cheese which needed nothing but a squeeze of lemon.

Mains: Vegetarian moussaka -$22.50.


This was Layers of eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, feta, lentils, tomatoes, kefalotyri Béchamel baked in a clay pot served with a Greek salad. I felt this was overcooked as the topping was quite papery whilst the lentils on the bottom were dry. I also don't feel the lentils added anything whilst I could not taste the feta at all. It was basically slices of zucchini with tons of bechamel. The Greek salad on the side was average, no dressing so was a little dry.

Veal yiouvetsi - $21.50.


Tender veal ragout with roma tomatoes, root vegetables, orzo pasta, three Greek cheeses slow baked in a clay pot. Ryan said this was full of flavour and the meat was falling apart it was so tender.

Desserts: Dessert sampler for two - $26.50.


'Chios' mastic chocolate mousse; tasted a little like cheap chocolate in that it didn't have that deep chocolate flavour and tasted like 'cream' whilst not being super creamy in texture. Couldn't really taste the mastiki. The berries (previously frozen I think) were also a little bitter.

Baklava; moist and syrupy but there was way too much cinnamon and it became bitter.

Fig brulee; this hardly had a sugar crust and it was runny and grainy with some pureed fig in the center.

Pistachio and rosewater ice cream; this tasted more like a vanilla and honey icecream nice consistency and Ryan's favourite.

Honey and sheep's milk yoghurt panna cotta; this was really lemony and was served with pomegranate seeds which were unpleasant to eat and did not compliment the dish.

Cost: $96.50 for 2 entrees, 2 mains and 1 dessert platter.

Service: Great. Our plates were cleared almost immediately and they were pretty good with topping up the water. We told them we wanted to eat and go - our entrees arrived 10mins after ordering, the mains took 20mins after our entrees were cleared and the dessert came 15mins after the mains.

Atmosphere: Good. Very lively. It's in the newly refurbished Westfield Doncaster which is almost like Crown in decor - really lovely and stylish.


We went on a Saturday night and the restaurant was practically full,. There are seats at the back in front of wall length windows with a gorgeous view of the city skyline, we arrived just before sunset and watched the beautiful view.


Those seats were full as were most of the seats outside the front of the restaurant in the shopping centre so we sat adjacent to the bar on a communal table on stools.


Parking: Ample - the shopping centre has hundreds of car spaces. Parking is free for the first 3hours or 4hours if seeing a movie.

Website: http://www.kouzina.com.au/index.html

Hours: Daily 11am-11pm.

Would I return: No - it's decent but not great