The Winey Cow

Usually it's a good sign when a café is jam packed and you actually have to wait for a table. However, I quickly learnt that this is not always the case if you are heading somewhere down Mornington Main Street in the peak of summer.

Whilst filled to the brim, The Winey Cow was, in a word, "disappointing". I ordered the 'Brunch Stack', which consisted of two poached eggs, bacon, potato rosti, avocado and haloumi with rocket and lemon hollandaise. Unfortunately, the eggs were rock hard (not even a tiny bit runny), the rosti floury and the worst part, the avocado didn't even taste like real avocado - it tasted like the cheap avocado dip you can get from the supermarket.

The service was also incredibly slow - taking about 20 minutes for anyone to take our order, and then a further 30 minutes for our coffees to arrive. Being busy in a "busy period" is no excuse for poor service.  It should have been no surprise that they were going to be busy over the summer holidays and in response they should have put on more staff.

It surprised me when looking at The Winey Cow's other reviews that most people had come away speaking of quite a positive experience. So perhaps it was just a bad day for The Winey Cow team - but still, no excuse -  it was such a disappointing experience, I will not be back.

Food:2/5
Service: 2.5/5
Venue: 3/5
Total: 8/5
Verdict: Don't bother

God's Kitchen

I've long been on the hunt for the perfect traditional parma. The perfect Mexican parma is a no brainer (The George in South Melbourne) but what about the perfect traditional parma with cheese, ham and Napoli sauce. Thanks to God's Kitchen, I finally found it.

Situated off the Main Street in Mornington, being a renovated church from the 1800s, the venue itself just oozes with character. Offering a cosy indoor area, and both a covered courtyard out the back and an open courtyard out the front, God's Kitchen has got every season covered which is well reflected in the number of patrons which walk through its doors. 

But onto the main event, the chicken parmigiana. The chicken was fat and juicy, the crumb was crisp, the sauce and was flavoursome and there was a generous amount of cheese smothering the delicious parcel. The chips on the side were were cooked well and the side of coleslaw was a clever alternative to the usual green soggy garden salad.

If you're ever down the Mornington Peninsula and looking for a great feed, or even just a drink in the sunshine, I'd highly recommend heading on down to God's Kitchen. 

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 3/5

Decor: 4/5

Total: 11.5/15

Verdict: love - get around to trying it soon 

 

The Gallery Bar and Grill

There is something enchanting about the Manyung Gallery in Mount Eliza.  Needing to cross a moat just to walk through the front door, this medieval styled Gallery looks just like a castle from an olden day fairy tale.  So what better place to set up a restaurant then overlooking the Manyung Gallery's medieval inspired art adorned courtyard.

The Gallery Bar and Grill's head chef Rob Licciardo used to cook up a storm at the now-closed Licciardos in Mount Eliza Village.  Luckily he has bought across many of the favourites including the freshly made walnut bread rolls (when they haven't run out!), the macadamia crusted lamb cutlets and the Thai prawn Caesar salad.

Whilst not all of the menu items are hits (stay away from the flavourless rigatoni with sardines, garlic, anchovies, almond and raisins) and the special board is always nearly impossible to read, the homemade beef lasagne ($26) is an absolute must. With its perfectly cooked sheets of pasta enveloping a rich and flavoursome meat sauce, this cheese lover's dream lasagne is far from the ordinary.  Paired with a serve of The Gallery Bar and Grill's deliciously golden chips ($7) and complimentary steamed vegetables (which, to be honest, used to be a more generous and exciting serve) this meal is definitely worthy of a lunch time eat.

The service, just like the menu, is often hit and miss.  However, on the occasions that both the food and the service are on point, The Gallery Bar and Grill is a definitely a restaurnat I would recommend for lunch if you find yourself down the Mornington Peninsula.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3/5
Venue: 3/5
Total: 9.5/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point.

  

Counting House

Situated in an old post office just off the main street in Mornington, the Counting House would have to be one of my favourite restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula.  With its roaring fire, elegant décor and country cottage feel, it is the perfect lunch venue for a cold wintery day. 

Its lunch special is incredible value - two courses and a glass of wine for $35. On this occasion I had the mushroom and goats cheese croquettes, followed by the prawn and mushroom tagliatelle. The croquettes, whilst cooked well, lacked seasoning and could have done with a touch more goats cheese to give it an extra zing. The tagliatelle, however, was exceptional.  Both the homemade pasta and the prawns were cooked to perfection and the rose sauce was just bursting with flavour. 

If you find yourself down in Mornington and looking for a delicious feed in front of a roaring fire, I would highly recommend giving the Counting House a try.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 4/5
Décor: 5/5
Total: 12.5 / 15

Verdict: Love - rush out and try it soon