The New Fave
A platform to explore the sensational, mediocre and life changing meals that Melbourne has to offer.
Food
Sunday 7 February 2021
Cugini's
Tuesday 19 January 2021
Albert Park Hotel
Sunday 17 January 2021
Pontoon
Nestled on the bottom floor of the Stokehouse is its more casual, some would say party-animal sister Pontoon. With one of the more stunning views in Melbourne, don’t be surprised if you find yourself sharing your dinner with DJ working his decks even before the sun has gone down, with a bustling room of people who already have a glimmer of a big night ahead in their eye.
Pontoon’s menu is gastro-pub in style - offering classics such as fish and chips and steak, as well as a large offering of seafood, such as skewered octopus, barramundi calamari and oysters. On this occasion I went with the fish finger burger with cocktail sauce and house pickles.
Unfortunately there was an overpowering smokey taste to it, and the fish was definitely on the scarce side - so while a reasonably tasty meal, not the best fish burger going around.
But who are we kidding, no one is coming to Pontoon for its food. Pontoon is definitely all about its stunning venue, and would be a great choice if you’re looking for a Sunday afternoon drink with an epic beachfront view
Food: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 11/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point
Monday 21 December 2020
Daughter in Law
With its pink neon lights, colourful decor and buzzing vibe, Daughter in Law in the CBD serves up what the restaurant calls "Australian Indian", with items such as Aussie Lamb Ribs and Papadan Chaat on the menu.
Daughter in Law's Colonel Tso's Cauliflower ($20) is one of their signature dishes - I was hoping for a bit more of a flavour punch, and for the larger pieces of cauliflower to be cooked through, but still a tasty option if you find yourself at this restaurant. The Balls of Happiness ($3.50 each) are another popular choice, coming out as pretty as a picture - although for me the best part of the dish were the savory and light crunchy balls sitting beneath the balls on the bottom.
For mains we shared the butter chicken (some would say a boring choice, but I would rather call it a classic) ($30) and the Vegan Chana Masala ($20) which consisted of chickpeas cooked with green mango powder, crushed pomegranate and crushed ginger. With it's unique and delicious flavours, even if you're not a vegetarian, I would highly recommend opting for the Vegan Chana Masala for one of your dishes.
Service was friendly but a bit patchy - we didn't get our bottle of wine (that we ordered within minutes of our arrival) until after the entrees were served.
While I wouldn't say it was one of the best Indian restaurants Melbourne has to offer, it still definitely has some highlights - including the delicious raita and roti- and is still worth a try.
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Value for money: 3/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 13/20
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it some point