Touring for good food in Tassy.

If you haven’t been to Tasmania I would strongly suggest it. We flew and hired a car. Drove  from Hobart to Launceston over a ten day period staying at four locations. St.Helens was probably the best spot we stayed at. We struggled to find good food for most of the trip but once in Launceston the golf club restaurant, where we staying, spoiled us with a mostly excellent three course meal. Not to mention great cocktails and service. The scollops though were very disappointing and I told them so. 

The prize for the best eating experience has to go to Mudbar on the marina. A modern looking eatery with inside and outside eating areas. The food spoke for itself in presentation and was a delight to eat. The waiter - Dylan - must get a special mention for very fine and knowledgable service and a hand written note wishing us a safe trip home. Very nice touch. A good choice of Tassy wines was on the menu which I didn’t see a lot of at other cafes, pubs etc. This place as my highest recommendation for food and service and a beautiful location. Go and enjoy, we did. 

Noojee (Nooj) Hotel - Victoria

 While visiting local falls in the area a stop for lunch at the local seemed a good idea. Two things struck us immediately, first the shear size and number of the hotel dinning areas and the incredible expanse of grounds around the hotel. Not to mention a fast running creek out the back. Add to this a good “pub” menu and Chicken Parmigianas you could share with others and still be full. As if the parma wasn't big enough a huge serving of good chips and salad were included. 

Nooj Hotel Nooje is approaching 100 years old and though modern inside retains that Australian pub feel with plenty of exposed stained timbers and brick work. Again I lost count of the number of eating areas both inside and out with three eating areas outside alone. We sat at the back on the deck for a relaxing view of the endless grounds and creek. Kookaburras will entertain you with song and help you finish off your meal. Hard to get more Ozzy than this. Clean air, a beautiful green view, good beer and food and parking out the front. What’s there not to love? 

Scusa Mi - Glenwaverly, Vic

If you enjoy your Italian eats and feel like a relaxed up-cafe place to indulge, Scusa Mi, located in the Waverly shopping centre may suite you. Plenty of parking about and located just outside the shopping centre there is no reason not to go. This can be a busy cucina so book on popular days. Plenty to pick from on the menu and a good dulci menu. Meals are a good size so can’t see you going hungry. Service is brisk and wait staff know their stuff. The food may not be high-end Italian cuisine but then the pricing is not high-end. Meetup for drinks or settle in for a meal, it’s just too easy. 

Lucky Chan

There is no shortage of asian restaurants in the Southbank complex nor in Melbourne central. In fact I feel they may dominate the general food styles available. Picking one from the many and choosing the best for the meal you want at the time may be the hardest of dinning choices. Fortunately for us we chose, just by chance, Lucky Chan. We had not eaten here before so it was a real pig-in-a-poke. 

I chose two meat meals, one as entree and one main. Could  not have made a better choice. The whole peas in a pod were too hard to eat but the succulent meat more than made up for it. Add two glasses of a light white wine and a bowl of special fried rice, what a lunch! I’ll be back for more.

Ambiance is Chinese as you would expect, no cuddles from staff who lent more toward the business of serving than welcoming and friendly. Noise level was low but on a Wednesday thats what you would expect. Go for the window seat and go for the food and enjoy a fine dinning experience without the fine dinning price. 

Mascalzone Altona - Victoria

Being in Altona right on lunchtime means we need somewhere to eat. The fish and chip shop appeared to be doing a thriving business but today, not for us. “Any time Italian” is my motto. Thinking about it “Anytime Greek” works also. But today Italian won over. Stumbling upon Mascalzone was the best thing which could happen to us on a sunny cool day in Altona near the water. Plenty to chose from on the menu and all looking extremely enticing. 

Love my creamy pastas so that was my selection. Pricing is very reasonable and decor (though a little rundown) tends toward Italian but just. The food is why you would come here and if we lived in the area this would be our goto restaurant of choice. Servings are generous, quality is high and presentation is verges on fine dining. The meals were promptly prepared and served hot and well plated. 

We could not pick a fault with the food in any way and left nothing except a dry plate. Coffee is good too and drinks keenly priced. Parking is just around the corner and a park across the road. Good location, excellent food, good service and good pricing make this spot a spot for all to go. Worth the drive if you are not a local and if you are a local and haven’t dined here, you should. 

Greca Street - Oakleigh, Victoria

  When out and about we swung by the main food street in Oakleigh. Portman Street is the main drag for fine Greek food and restaurants. We have eaten here a few times but not for years. Greca Street  is one fine, new looking and extensive restaurant. The decor is modern, clean and fresh. Floors, tables and chairs are all beautiful timbers and there is a long bar. Dine in or out or in a glassed cabin on the street. 

The menu is very enticing with many shared plates then their traditional Greek meals. This is where I chose from. There are also Greek wines by the glass or bottle plus many other wine selections. The food was absolutely delicious and plenty of it. Both of us struggled to complete our means and though full, had us thinking when we could come back. 

There is free parking at the end of the street and its only short walk to Greca. I’d book ahead though the restaurant is large it filled quickly and we were lucky to get in. Not overly expensive and with delicious food to live for, easy parking and a beautiful establishment, there is NO reason not to go. Make it a date. 

Bouzy Rouge restaurant and bar - Richmond

 The wife was required to see a specialist at an Epworth clinic (nothing too serious). Figuring it was right on lunchtime she looked up a restaurant nearby. We booked, arrived early and for a while had the restaurant to ourselves. The decor at Bouzy Rouge cannot be described it has to be seen. An eclectic collection of interesting items, very large and small from all over the world. I believe the owner is French and food is Mediterranean influenced. I wanted two courses but we were pressed for time so a main is all we had time for. 

You may feel you are in France or Spain the surrounds are so foreign and elegant to what we would expect to see in Oz. And there is sooo much you just can’t take it all in. The food is good, very well priced and the service prompted and friendly. Parking could be tight but go when quiet in the Richmond area and you should be OK. We are already planning our return and will be taking friends who I know will appreciate the unique spectacle that is Bouzy Rouge.