Belucci's Restaurant Review

129 Beaconsfield Parade
Albert Park Vic
Phone: (03) 9690 6288

Food
Traditional Italian Cuisine, the Tuscan way of cooking. There are two types of italian dinner menus to select from. All dishes were delicious. A la carte presentation, generally with larger plates and smaller portions. We enjoyed tasty bread and calamari entree, the sweets were gorgeous including refreshing gelato.
Service
Wonderful waiters, extremely professional, friendly and polite. The hosts, Belucci and his wife were there to greet and welcome us with a kiss. They were absolutely delightful and charming.
Value
Not one of your bargain value type restaurants. Prices and service are a bit more upper class here. Mains are generally priced over $20 each.
Decor and Atmosphere
Belucci's is found in a classic building along Beaconsfield Parade next to the beach. Built in the 1890's the building was a terminus for cable trams but has housed restaurants since the 1960's. It has a warm atmosphere with a great deal of unique character and views to boot.

The Cedar Tree Restaurant Review

198 Bay Street
Brighton Vic 3186
Phone: (03) 9818 0647

Food
Authentic Lebanese cuisine. To open we had a selection of hommos, baba ghanouj and labnee dips, served with lebanese bread, onto a selection of entrees including traditional middle eastern balls of spicy dried beans, vegetables, and middle eastern herbs, served with a drizzle of tahina sauce and fetta cheese mixed with mint, onion and spices in filo pastry. Mains consisted mostly of meat dishes such as the opening dish with the banquet which was chicken fillet pieces sautéed in a mixture of fresh coriander, garlic, ginger and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice. Served with cinnamon rice. This was followed by further meat dishes and then a sweet dessert of Baklawa and turkish delight combined. All the dishes were very enjoyable and well presented.
Service
Attentive and responsive. Meals came out at a reasonable pace, not too long to wait.
Value
Again I would have to recommend the banquet for better value, starting at $35 per person and plenty included. Separate mains start at around $20 each.
Decor and Atmosphere
Nicely painted interior with a number of lebanese photos and emblems throughout, featuring of course the cedar tree. Well presented. Later in the evening a belly dancer strut her stuff to some louder traditional music. They regularly feature belly dancing on weekends and look out guys, she likes you to get up and dance with her!

The Banff Restaurant Review

145 Fitzroy St
St Kilda, VIC 3182
(03) 9525 4113

Food
Mainly known for its pizzas, they have a fabulous selection to choose from. Some very unusual pizzas, all absolutely delicious! Served with rocket lettuce and sour cream. They also serve pastas and they have a separate breakfast menu.
Service
They'll bring your meals out, but it's mostly self serve, order at the bar.
Value
Great value, some really cheap pizzas and pastas.
Decor and Atmosphere
Art deco delight, funky vibe, totally relaxed and warm and yet hip.

Automatic Cafe Review

at crown casino,
Southbank
Phone: 03 9690 8500

Food
Mixed cuisines, a selection of pizzas and all manner of assorted dishes such as indian, pastas, steaks, asian. The tandoori chicken salad was very appealing. The steak is a bit more expensive on the menu, but cooked well. This restaurant/cafe is very much the sister to the Blue Train at Southbank, on the Yarra.
Service
Young hip waiters, friendly and helpful. Patient when we had a toddler with us.
Value
The individual dishes are of reasonable value. There are a range of prices depending on what you choose to order.
Decor and Atmosphere
Funky, modern and relaxed atmosphere situated right on the river with some lovely outdoor seating on a warm evening overlooking the city on the Yarra. Pretty casual.