Port Albert Restaurant Tips by TheWanderingCamel

The General Store: Old shop - new look

Although Port Albert's famous fish and chip kiosk might have bitten the dust for the present ( it's due to be rebuilt in time for summer 2007/8) and the pub's offerings are good meals in a typical country pub style (ie hearty serves and not much style, though the Phillip Island scallops we ate were just great), there is another option. The old General Store is now a very pleasant cafe open for lunch and dinner. With only 4 tables, you do need to book, but both the food and the atmosphere are worth it. Glowing wooden floors, warm brick walls and subtle lighting create a welcoming atmosphere. The menu is small but tempting, and as it's just across the road from where we were staying, the location is perfect.

Favorite Dish: We were boring enough to all order the same thing - but the promise of freshly-made flathead fishcakes from that morning's catch was too good to pass up. Cooked Thai-style and served with rice and lightly steamed bok choy, they were delicious.

The heaped plates of steaming lamb shanks and mash heading for the next table looked so tempting we thought we'd head back there next night, but we left it too late to get a table, even on a wet and windy day in May - booking is definitely the way to go.

Address: Tarraville Road, Port Albert

Phone: 03 5183 2359

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Local