Limericks Arms Hotel

Limericks Arms Hotel in South Melbourne is what I consider to be your classic Australian pub. I'm talking an open roaring fire that makes the no-frills décor seem warm and inviting in the colder months, various TV screens for all of the local sport fanatics, staff so friendly you'd think you'd known them for years, and the sort of prices which are affordable even on the day before pay day.

Offering up traditional pub fare, it's menu features all of the pub culprits including Ale battered fish and chips, Pie of the day, Ceaser Salad and the Chicken Parma. On this occasion I couldn't go past the 'Rodriguez Parma with Napoli, ham, two types of cheeses, jalapenos, guacamole, sour cream, fries and spicy slaw.

The parma itself consisted of a plump and juicy generously sized chicken breast covered with juuuust the right amount of toppings, and the accompanying chips were crisp and well seasoned. The spicy law, however, must have been having a bad day, as it was far from spicy and was verging on bitter.

Spicy slaw aside, with its warm ambiance, friendly staff, decent food and reasonable price tag, I will definitely be back again.

Food: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Total: 10.5/15
Verdict: like - get around to trying it at some point

East Bar & Dining

You'd be forgiven for thinking that you've stepped into the Hampton's on walking through East in Mt Martha's doors. With an interior worthy of a Vogue Living cover, the venue itself is white, bright and oozes style and elegance.

On this very special occasion of a girlfriend's 30th, being a large group, we shared a set menu of charred corn with capsicum juice, aioli and herb oil, East house bread with smoked cultured butter, Pork hock with char sui, kimchi, apple and prickly ash rice cracker, and to top it all off, generous bowls of French fries.

The charred corn came out looking about as elegant as the venue. However, whilst the corn cob itself was cooked and dressed to perfection, the salad underneath was slightly underwhelming (confirmed by the platefuls left behind from our large group of diners) and was verging on sour instead of the tart sweetness that I assume the pomegranate was trying to achieve.

The pork hock, however, was exceptional - juicy tender meat which just fell off the bone, paired with a unique array of tastes and textures to keep the palate excited.  The house made fennel bread was also an exquisite touch, with its complimentary flavours pairing well with the pork.

 

And the chips? Well let's just say they are the best bowl of chips I have had in a while.

Situated across from the beach on the Esplanade in Mount Martha, it's the perfect spot (and well worth the drive) for a long Sunday lunch even in the colder months.

Food: 4/5
Décor: 5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13.5/15
Verdict - Love: get around to trying it soon.

464 Esplanade, Mount Martha

Tonka

What is it about Tonka that consistently makes it appear in my top 5 restaurants of Melbourne? Could it be the enchanting venue that makes whimsical and class coexist perfectly in the one room. Or perhaps it's their incredible staff who treat the art of serving with the precision and coordination required of the American ballet. Or is it the food - their mind blowing, incredibly delicious, modern take on Indian cuisine. Whatever it is, a night at Tonka is guaranteed to impress and it was the perfect venue for the very special occasion of my girlfriend's 30th.

On the evening we went, the stars of the show were without a doubt the butter chicken and the palak paneer gnudi with pine nuts and lemon pickle. I know what you're thinking - 'you can get butter chicken anywhere' - but this butter chicken was the cream of the crop - the Kim of the Kardashians.  Rich and full of flavour, it was a dish worth licking the bowl for.  And the palak paneer gnudi - well let's just say I'd happily turn vegetarian if it meant I could eat a bowl of this every night. These soft, moist (sorry moist haters!) but fluffy parcels were an absolute textual and flavour delight.

The ugly duckling of the night was the dal with black lentils.  Whilst still a delicious dish full of fragrant flavours - this runt of the pack brought back memories of the mud pies I used to make as a child.

 

However, if the dal was the ugly duckling of the night, the pani puri and the duck korma with apple and vanilla spiced beetroot was the majestic elegant white swan.  Exquisitely delicate, the pani puri still surprisingly packed a punch and the duck was cooked to perfection.





The highlight of the night for the desert lovers was, well, with no surprise the deserts. But I must admit, these desert lovers were definitely onto something as both the carrot halwa and the coque meringue came out looking like Picasso masterpieces, with tastes to back up their looks.

Tonka has found the perfect formula to make your occasion feel special, but casual - fine dining, but in comfort - exquisite food, that still fills you up and leaves you feeling completely and utterly satisfied. Okay, okay so I'm starting to sound a bit like a 1990s love song - but you get the point - this place should be number 1 on the to do list, which is what scores itself the title of the new fave.
And a very special thanks to the mother of the birthday girl who very generously took us out for this very special evening.

Food: 4.75/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 5/5
Total: 14.75/15
Verdict: The New Fave - put it as number 1 on the To do list