Melbourne Restaurant Tips by sirgaw

The Windsor Hotel: - magnificent HIGH TEA

One of the truly great Melbourne traditions since 1883 is High Tea at The Windsor Hotel. Although expensive it really is an afternoon of total indulgence.

The hotel seems to have gone out of the way and hired the most attentive waiting staff judging from my afternoon and paid for by Cooks’ Cottage where I am a once a week volunteer site guide. All up, a great thank you gift.

We arrived and were shown to our well-appointed table in a beautiful room and sat down to the set ready for high tea round table. A glass of Moscato was poured and we were offered tea or coffee. A glass of chilled water was already in place to quench the thirst.

Soon after arriving we were presented with a triple tier of tasty goodies to eat. Top layer plate contained 3 different fillings of delicious hot savories, bottom layer ribbon sandwiches and that was 5 different fillings. Sandwiched between (pun intended) was the plate that the girls all went wild about – 5 different bite sized cakes (OK I lied – ladies would never wolf down those dainty little cakes). From a large basket waiters presented each diner with 2 freshly baked scones to be eaten with double cream and a choice of 2 different jams (jellies if you are from North America).

Throughout the afternoon our tea or coffee cups were re-filled as necessary. There is an extensive selection of different teas – one of our party over-indulged in “Glorious Blooming Teas.” (See photo of glass tea pot)

My suggestion is to go to the high tea hungry and forget all about calories and watching the weight. There should be an official weight watchers warning issued for The Windsor High Tea.

Pre-bookings essential for weekends and a little warning for the gentlemen – the ‘men’s’ is quite a long walk from the restaurant – strongly suggest that you ‘go before you really need to go’ (yes I know that we should not discuss such mundane and ‘common’ things while talking about THE high tea)..

See web site for pricing and booking details

Address: 111 Spring Street, Melbourne

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Opposite Parliament House and on the City Circle free tram route

Other Contact: Fax +61 3 9633-6001

Phone: +61 3 9633-6000

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.thehotelwindsor.com.au/afternoon-tea-,diningandbar_viewItem_7-en.html

Victorian Parliament High Tea: - a challenge

Now here’s a challenge – 2 people, all the food as pictured and you’ve got 1 and a half hours to try and consume the lot – Victorian Parliament wins again as their High Tea really is huge.

There are 2 platters – and the bottom one is all the savory stuff – dainty quiches, delicious finger sandwiches, water cress and parsley, followed by fresh fruit. Top layer is the challenging part – 3 enormous freshly baked scones with big servings of jam and cream, followed by 5 each of individual bigger than bite sized cakes all freshly made. More fruit on the side.

Team the above with choice of wine, coffee or tea, chilled water, delightful setting and its high tea made in heaven at a fraction of the cost of the other high teas around Melbourne. Very attentive and professional staff and all up, a great experience.

Cost $36.00 per person without wine, $42.00 with wine and served between 2.30 and 4.00pm Monday to Friday in the Strangers Corridor, which is next door to the Members Dining Room. Bookings essential and note the high tea is only available when Parliament is not sitting – check web site for dates.

There is a security entrance for all visitors and items which may be considered dangerous are not permitted into the Parliament Building.

About the photos:
1. Double platter and too much for 2.
2. Quiet alcove for 2.
3. The top platter and all the sweet stuff.
4. Is the glass half full or empty?
5. They'll even supply a take-away container.

Address: Parliament House - Spring Street, Melbourne

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (03) 9651 8944

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/visit/events/high-tea

Colonial Tramcar Restaurant: for a unique experience

One of the worlds most unique dining experiences can be found on board the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Limited choice 5 course meal (late sitting - 3 courses for early dinner) while watching the panorama of a beautiful city from a superbly presented fully air-conditioned vintage tram as it trundles its way through the city and close-to-the-city suburbs. Although expensive, it is a great experience and not to be missed.

There are 3 almost identical trams and each seat a maximum of 36 diners at tables for 2 or 4. The trams are divided into 2 compartments with seating for 24 in one and 12 in the other compartment while 3 staff members busily serve food, drink and beverages. There is also a tram driver. Conditions are a little cramped and the on-board toilet makes an airline toilet look like a ball room in comparison – not easy to fit all that is required into a tram and makes for a quaint experience. The late dinner trams do stop for a ‘stretch legs’ break at a tram line siding while regular commuter trams pass by. .

The first tramcar restaurant commenced operation in 1983 and by union regulations had to be staffed by a crew of 2 – driver and conductor. Of course the conductor did not have to perform any tasks and was even featured on the back cover of the Melbourne phone book – sitting in the ‘B end’ drivers compartment (no where else to sit) while reading the days paper. Some lament the passing of the conductors from the Melbourne tram network; I think the Tramcar Restaurant management would have applauded the change.

The menus for both the early and late dinners and the luncheon service can be viewed on the web page as listed below – click onto the ‘Menu’ tab. Costs vary between $77 per person for the early dinner to $137.50 per person for late dinner Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Tramcar Restaurant is VERY popular for visitors and locals celebrating special occasions and I do strongly suggest booking 6 to 12 months ahead to avoid disappointment. Lady Gaw and I were lucky as we were originally on the waiting list for our chosen night – our 42 wedding anniversary. Most of the cost of our night was compliments of a credit card loyalty program.

The departure and return point for the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is tram stop number 125 Normanby Road, near the corner of Clarendon Street, South Melbourne and opposite Crown Casino. Several tram lines from/to city/suburbs are adjacent and taxis can be found at the Crown Casino.

About the photos:
1. The 'smoke break' stop tram and passengers at William Street, Melbourne.
2. Sir and Lady Gaw on board and waiting for dinner - hang on, first course is all ready and waiting. Now where's the drink - LOL
3. Lady Gaw said, "Can I have those flowers?" - "No, wait until I've taken the photo and you'll get the flowers at the end of the trip." See what 42 years of marriage does - LOL.
4. All the mirrors and glass make for tricky photography without flash.
5. Sort of like this - on Puffing Billy Railway (separate tip - Belgrave page) the equivalent restored carriage is nick-named 'The Gin Palace' owing to its opulence of a by-gone era.

Address: Starting point - Normanby Road, South Melbourne

Comparison: more expensive than average

Other Contact: Fax 03 9696 3787

Phone: 03 9696 4000

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/

Melba's Restaurant: Buffet to die for

Imagine as many oysters as you can eat and then think of all the other yummy food on offer. Yes that's Melba's.

Open 7 nights per week with stunning views over Southbank, Yarra River and the city skyline Melba's is a buffet par excelence.

As mentioned, mounds of succulent, large oysters with king prawns and lobster as well. Then move onto the anti pasta selection where there is also Japanese, Greek and many other delicacies. Follow on to the carvery with beef, lamb, chicken and whatever else the kitchen has come up with and you'd think that's enough - well there's more, plenty more.

There are 3 interactive chef stations where the caring staff will cook fresh wok cooked Asian food, or Italian and other European dishes and then there is the Indian section complete with a very hot Tandoori oven.

Still hungry after all that, then there is the cheese board for those with the savoury taste buds and for the sweet lovers, a very large display of tiny desserts to die for and guaranteed to put on weight. Still more desserts await where there is a spectacular chocolate fountain.

Tea and coffee also included in the price and I must compliment the great staff for a very good job - well done guys and girls.

Not a cheap experience at $A75 per head.

Address: 1 Southbank Avenue, Southbank (Langham Hotel)

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Enter the Langham Hotel, go via esculator past reception and then up the impressive curving staircase to the reception area for the restaurant and bar

Phone: 1800 641 107

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Buffet

Almazett Lebanese Restaurant: Try the banquet

It was after we had attended an art opening that we succumbed to the pleasures of Almazett Lebanese Restaurant. We scanned the menu and looked at the a la carte selections - and all seemed great. Most of our party of 16 were quite ignorant of Lebanese food, so we decided to have the banquet priced at $42 per head.

Serve after serve of delicious dips accompanied by unleavened bread - and they all disappeared into our hungry tummies. Followed by more entree's of chicken wings and great garlic sausages and tummies were starting to complain about the bulk of food - and to think we were still on entree's.

Then the mains of kabobs - chicken and lamb - with rice and veggies. Those tummies were taking a pounding.

Finally 4 different desserts and washed down by the strongest coffee known and we were well-filled.

Favorite Dish: One word - BANQUET

Address: 210 Balaclava Rd Caulfield North, VIC 3161

Comparison: less expensive than average

Other Contact: Fax: (03) 9509-5450

Phone: (03) 9509-8959

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: Middle Eastern

Robbie Burns Hotel: - for amazing Spanish food

With a good Scottish name of Robbie Burns you'd expect haggis and fine malt whiskey and if you did you'd be disappointed to find one of the best Spanish eateries in Melbourne.

From the outside its just another Melbourne corner pub, but once inside the aroma of garlic and Spanish food hits the nose like a charging bull - and not surprising the 110 seat restaurant is called The Matador Room.

Main meals are price from $A18 and there's seafood with garlic, onions, tomato and chilli, steak with garlic, onions, tomato and chilli and chicken with - well you guessed right - garlic, onions, tomato and chilli. They're still working on the idea of dessert with garlic, onions, tomato and chilli.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week and bookings are essential. Parking in the area is limited so suggest a taxi or a tram (from Bourke Street, City).

Address: 376 Smith St Collingwood 3066 VIC

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In the heart of the sporting factory clearance shopping precinct

Phone: (03) 9417 2233

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Templestowe Hotel: - great "All You Can Eat"

All you can eat buffets are not the sort of place to take a weight watcher - loads of food, great variety of almost everything. Even the strongest of those watching their waist lines may be tempted.

Templetowe Hotel has been on the same spot for over 100 years and is a "pokies" venue for those who like a little flutter, but there's far more than that including the all you can eat buffet.

Open Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week, with prices for Lunch from $17.90 for Mon to Sat to $24.90 for Sunday. Dinner is $24.90 Monday to Sunday, kids 12 and under $11.90, 4 years and under free. Seniors discount applies lunch Mon to Fri only and dinner Mon to Thurs only.

Kids playground and plenty of free parking.

Address: 23 Parker Street, Lower Templestowe

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: 03 9850 4866

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Buffet

Website: http://www.templestowehotel.com.au

Daisys Hotel: Pub Grub - too much to eat

Go hungry - very hungry, as the servings are huge in the Bistro.

Typical pub-grub cuisine - variety of steak, seafood and a chicken parmagana that is more of a challenge than a meal - want something bigger? - then try the big bird option which is more of an emu size rather than chicken. Seniors and kids meals.

Kids playground, gamblers playground in the pokies area, sportsmans bar, disco.

Address: 6 Mount Dandenong Road Ringwood East 3135

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (03)9870-6021

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Pub/Brewery