Melbourne Restaurants

[Sprucegoose]

More than one, in fact.
Apart from Mietta herself, and Tony Knox, the list would include Jacques Reymond, Stephanie Alexander, Philippa Sibley, Donovan Cook, Ronnie di Stasio ... and on and on.

Yes quite notable indeed. I was thinking of Stephanie Alexander.

Where does it rank in the pecking order these days?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Rockpool and Vue de monde are a bit well trodden these days in my opinion


Another favorite but less cutting edge
Is Cafe E Cucina in South Yarra on chapel st, tiny dark, discreet and intimate with amazing Italian service - I take my high profile clients and celebs there and know I won't be bothered.

I absolutely agree on Cafe E Cucina, it's amazing. Great food, smoking hot wait staff
We have dined there a few times and loved it

I've never been to Rockpool at Crown but it has been on my list for a while to compare with Sydney.
Might have to organise another trip to try it out.

 

[flyingfan]

There's also P M 24 in the CBD, and Bistro Thierry and Le Petit Bourgeouis further afield. The Atlantic is great if you want something within very short walking distance but again not French.

I've never been to Rockpool at Crown but it has been on my list for a while to compare with Sydney.
Might have to organise another trip to try it out.

A worthwhile exercise The desserts menu were noticeably different when I last compared but that's probably more a reflection of my priorities. The Strawberries and Cream at the Melbourne one is a ripper.

 

[cove]

The Atlantic had a reasonable write up in todays Sunday Age magazine but I have not been there.
We were surprised that Rockpool was so busy on a Monday night. It was wall to wall diners last Monday.

 

[ajca]

I am taking Shrek to Melbourne next weekend and would like some suggestions for dinner on Saturday night.
Left it very late and cannot get a booking at either Vue de Monde or Rockpool which would be my two preferred options
Preferably in CBD but will travel to the burbs.
Preferably French, not full of large party bookings.

+1 for Bistro Vue. Also I have always loved France-Soir in South Yarra for a more authentic French bistro experience.

My all time fave French restaurant in Melbourne is Moretons in Carlton, which is not fancy at all but has delicious food and a wonderful relaxed vibe.

As an aside...

I am not 100% sold on the new Vue de monde. I had some of the best and most enjoyable meals of my life there a few years ago, but after a visit to the new restaurant last year I felt it had almost become too refined. Like a parody of refinement in fact. It has suddenly become very dark and serious, whereas at Normandy Chambers it seemed so much more bright and playful.

Of course, the food and wine and service are still exceptional, plus now you can add in unbelievable views over Melbourne. But I felt like something was missing ... although maybe what was missing was the team of people I must have needed to carry me to the taxi at the end of the dinner!

 

[docjames]

+1 coughulus - fantastic recently. Expect a 30-45min wait (stand around and have a drink!) but well worth it (and I was sceptical). Also at last minute it's acutally an advantage NOT to have to/be able to book.

We also enjoyed Press Club recently, degustation menu with matching wine or a la carte both excellent.

 

[simongr]

I enjoyed coughulus as well.

One vote for Papa Goose in Flinders Lane - a modern spin on traditional dishes.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thankyou everyone for all the suggestions.
I will now be organising lots of weekend trips to MEL to try them out
I'm going to Cafe E Cucina this weekend and Rockpool two weeks later
Will be sure to report back

 

[Abrcrmb]

+4 for Bistro Vue

We also could not get in to Vue de Monde and we are glad that we couldn't! One of the best meals of our lives anywhere in the world.

 

[ajca]

+4 for Bistro Vue

We also could not get in to Vue de Monde and we are glad that we couldn't! One of the best meals of our lives anywhere in the world.

Plus you had an extra $700 to spend...!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I need restaurant recommendation in Blackburn area for visiting American friends with teenage kids - I think they prefer Italian but if something unique with a bunch of fun about it exists they would look at that to - TIA

Admin - Why is there not a dedicated thread in each capital city for such requests? I see an olsd thread re Melbourne but closed

 

[serfty]

Admin - Why is there not a dedicated thread in each capital city for such requests? I see an olsd thread re Melbourne but closed

Opened for you ... go nuts ...

Thread 'Melbourne Restaurants' Melbourne Restaurants

 

[QF WP]

@Cruiser Elite, I have been taking clients to meetings over morning tea and lunch to Enriks for years - directly opposite Blackburn train station.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

@Cruiser Elite, I have been taking clients to meetings over morning tea and lunch to Enriks for years - directly opposite Blackburn train station.

Tks QF WP that lookd perfect for them.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

OK so now that we have a dedicated and live Melbourne Restaurants thread we should make use of it.

Only comment I want to make today is a post Covid related one - quite a few of our regular restaurants we frequented pre-covid would allow BYO wine - post covid several are now not permitting BYO wine and have seriously cough wine lists.

I have raised this with some owners but they are totally inflexible and are maintaining that they need to get a margin on a bottle sale and not just a corkage fee to survive. I counter with 'charge me whatever corkage fee you want I don't care - make it equal to a bottle margin' - nope they still don't budge - so short sighted when their restaurants are 1/2 empty early in the week.

Also so many restaurants are still offering very restricted menus due to a variety of factors - no staff / low patronage - let's hope we can get back to some normality sooner rather than later.