Kanzaman Restaurant Review

458 - 460 Bridge Rd,
Richmond, VIC 3121
Tel: (03) 9429-3402

Food
Middle Eastern/Lebanese Cuisine. A diverse array of dishes, some delicious dips and lebanese breads to start, some flavoured meat entrees, focus on meats and rices. Lovely and unusual desserts that are very sweet.
Service
Very helpful, attentive and polite.
Value
Good value, you can have as many main courses as you can eat if you choose the banquet, but you will get very full! $38 per person for this banquet or add an extra $10 for seafood, includes dips, entrees, mains, desserts, coffees. So you can find cheaper banquets but as I said, you will get a lot of food for this.
Decor and Atmosphere
The interior decoration here is unbelievable and fantastic! Elaborate murals throughout, gorgeous interiors very well decorated, pressed metal painted ceilings, lovely lighting. And add to your evening's entertainment with a featured belly dancer, who was both delightful and gorgeous.

Lao Tuojia Restarant Review

19 Glenferrie Road,
Malvern 3144
Phone: 03 9500 1919

Food
Cuisine originating from north western China, as are the owners of this recently opened restaurant. This style of chinese cuisine (actually Xinjiang or Uyghur) is really quite different to your average chinese restaurant in Melbourne. Featuring hand made noodles and specialising in lamb dishes. A most interesting and delightfully unusual won ton soup. The dishes have more of a home made feel.
Service
Very friendly, helpful and happy for a chat as we were the first ones to arrive for the evening (though it certainly got busy later!). There were no banquets on the menu but when we asked she created one for us at a great price!
Value
Awesome value if you ask for a banquet. Only $16 per head for 4 courses and very large portions.
Decor and Atmosphere
Comfortable atmosphere. A little eclectic with knick nacks. Not overly classy.

The Bengal Tiger Restaurant Review

520 City Road,
South Melbourne Vic 3205
Phone: 03 9699 4791

Food
Tandoori and Indian Cuisine. They've introduced a few banquets since I last dined here, which is a good improvement. The banquet for 2 included pappadums, entrees, 3 mains, rice, naan bread, dessert and coffee/tea. All dishes were of reasonable quality. Licensed and BYO (wine only).
Service
Top quality service - I was extremely impressed with all aspects of their service. Thoroughly attentive without being intrusive.
Value
Very reasonable. Look out for their specials on different nights of the week, which they display on the board out front.
Decor and Atmosphere
A warm and comfortable atmosphere with a bit of character. An old style building that appears to have originally been built as a hotel. Simple decoration not overdone.

Misuzu's restaurant severely damaged by fire

I hadn't been to this restaurant, but this is a real shame as I'd planned to go and it is located in a Victorian terrace on a very pretty street.

From the Herald Sun:

A POPULAR Japanese restaurant has been severely damaged after a fire broke out in Albert Park overnight.

Flames were seen coming from Misuzu's on Victoria Avenue at around 1.50am this morning.

When the fire services arrived they were faced with five-metre high flames as the blaze took hold of the two-storey building. It took 24 firefighters almost two hours to control the situation.

The fire is estimated to have caused damages of at least $500,000. An adjoining shop, owned by the same business, was saved.

Mahjong Restaurant Review

165 Fitzroy Street,
St Kilda Vic 3182
Phone: 03 9534 8833

Food
Asian Cuisine. There are two sections to this restaurant. The front section serves Yum Cha, which are small portions, small dishes; and out the back is a more traditional restaurant which serves standard size 3 course meals. We dined in the Yum Cha section as the back restaurant was very pricey. The small dishes were very delicate and well presented. Tasty flavours. You would want to be sure to order several courses to fill up though!
Service
Waiters, waiters everywhere! You certainly won't lack for service, they have kind of overdone it. They are very well presented though, professional and classy.
Value
The prices aren't too bad in the Yum Cha section, you can order a few courses and still come in under budget. If you wish to dine at the full restaurant out the back though be prepared to pay for it.
Decor and Atmosphere
This place screams expensive interior designer! While the building it is in from the outside is a 1960s nightmare, the interiors have been immaculately designed and detailed to a T. A little clinical feeling for my taste, but they have really made an expensive effort here and it is very classy looking with no aspect untouched. If you like Boj at Docklands, I would say you get a similar atmosphere here. The front section is light and open, and the back restaurant area has dimmed the lights and changed the music and atmosphere entirely for a more private feel.

Koh Samui Thai Restaurant Review

130 Erskine Street,
Middle Park Vic
Phone: 03 9696 3080

Food
Thai food. No banquets or set menus unfortunately. There were some nice flavours in the tradtional thai dishes. I didn't try as many of the dishes as I often would because the price was a bit more expensive.
Service
Average service. Never hugely busy, but not overly attentive.
Value
As expected in the Middle Park village, Albert Park area, restaurants tend to be pricier as the areas are somewhat upmarket. Would be ok if the food and service was sensational, but nothing special there.
Decor and Atmosphere
Nice quiet atmosphere. There are 3 sections of this restaurant with two entrances, meaning the restaurant is much bigger than it first appears. In fact I have been there twice each time thinking the different entrance was a different restaurant ! The front section is small and quiet in a beautiful plane tree lined heritage street. Going down a narrow corridor leads you to a larger back section, which is more spacious. There is a television which plays some video and soft music. An outside courtyard leads upstairs open air function space - the courtyard carries the heritage "blue stone" brick theme. Interesting look for the area.

Nyala African Restaurant Review

131 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy, VIC
Phone: (03) 9419 9128

Food
African cuisine featuring dishes from South Africa and Ethiopia. They had banquets recommended for 4 people but they were willing to offer them to us for two peopls and we had one of the banquets which included deserts. This banquet was great value with a range of different foods, with plenty on offer in generous portions. There was cus cus, spicy dips, three different meats for mains in spicy sauces. Choice of deserts was included in the banquets - the sweet cus cus and South African custard tarts with ice cream were great choices.
Service
Exceptional service. African waiters wearing traditional African robes give it a genuine feel.
Value
All very reasonable priced, no complaints with the pricing. Large amount of food and banquets available. Reasonable corkage ($2)
Decor and Atmosphere
Interesting ornaments and paintings all for sale. The painted lights and bar were pretty funky. Ambient African music. Comfortable, relaxed and cosy.

Village Curry House Restaurant Review

144 Sydney Road
Brunswick, VIC
Phone: (03) 9387 5798

Food
Sri Lankan cuisine including various styles of curry and some unusual dishes and drinks on the menu. The menu selection looked quite enticing, but the reality didn't live up to the expectations in my opinion. The spicy meat entree appeared to contain little meat; the choice selections of beef promised for my spicy mains were in fact overcooked, tough, dry and unappealing. The side dish of roti bread was served on the same plate as the entree (a little confusing) and one of the entrees came out as a side dish with the mains. The drinks sounded exotic but were overly sweetened.
Service
Fairly slow. For some strange reason the main waitress was wearing a hospital style hairnet/shower cap.
Value
All very reasonable priced, no complaints with the pricing.
Decor and Atmosphere
Cafeteria style, a little cheap and tacky looking. Not much ambience here.

Afghan Village Restaurant Review

923 Burke Rd,
Camberwell
Phone: 03 9882 2775

Food
Afghan Village serves cuisine from North Afghanistan, using traditional recipes. What a pleasant surprise this restaurant was! The food is as intoxicating as it is unique. Authentic entrees include Ashak and Matoo, beginning a fantastic great value 4 course banquet which displays an interesting array of afghani dishes, each as delightful as the one before. You get entree, mains, dessert and a special hot drink to your taste all included with your meal. Personally I felt the aromatic green tea with cardamon was a delight.
Service
Wonderful, friendly and genuine people - which always adds so much to the experience. Great service and explanation of dishes.
Value
An excellent value 4 course banquet for $30 per head. I would highly recommend this option.
Decor and Atmosphere
Small, cute and very well decorated with traditional Afghan paraphenalia that adds to the experience of an unusual cuisine and flavour. (Only one of a few Afghan restaurants in Australia) An air conditioned and very comfortable atmosphere complements an all round enjoyable experience.

Warwick Thai Restaurant Review

400 Sydney Rd,
Brunswick Vic 3056
Phone: 03 9381 2111

Food
Thai food, not a very large selection on the menu. No extras. Not the fanciest or best ever thai dishes, but they do provide really large portions, so you get plenty of food with your main meal.
Service
Good service. They have a very large room to wait on, so they miss you occasionally, but they're pretty good considering.
Value
Good value, as you get plenty of food for your dollar. Banquets only available for large groups.
Decor and Atmosphere
Really quite an interesting interior (see photo above). Huge space! Looks like an old style hall or church inside. A separated section for takeaway at the front, and a gorgeous looking dining room up front that must be for special occasions. A bit stuffy, could do with some better air circulation. I wouldn't want to be there on a hot night. Some music wouldn't go astray.

Bhoj Indian Restaurant Review

54 Promenade, Newquay,
Docklands 3008
Tel: +613 9600 0884

Food
The food is great, all traditional indian cuisine. Tasty banquets available.
Service
Very professional waiting. Classy. You get the feeling you should be a little more upper class just to step in here.
Value
The value for money isn't great. You are paying for the classy atmosphere and the food is just as good at many of the cheaper indian restaurants around Melbourne.
Decor and Atmosphere
Clean, classy, well ordered. Perhaps a little clinical. Lacks a bit of style and funk.

Bali Bagus Restaurant Review

85 Franklin Street
Melbourne
(03) 9662 1474

Food
Indonesian Cuisine. The reason I wanted to try this restaurant is that Bali Bagus had a stall at Albert Park Lake for the Indonesian fun walk recently. The food from their little stall on the day was very unusual and funky delicious. We had sweet little jellies with coconut and sticky rice, and rendang pie. I was very keen to try the restaurant when they displayed their business cards there. Unfortunately the restaurant was a bit of a let down compared to their little stall at the fun day. It was mostly bay marie food and my meal was not quite reheated hot enough. A bit dry and bland. No desserts or side dishes on the menu.
Service
Friendly service, prompt.
Value
Reasonable value, no banquets or set menus available.
Decor and Atmosphere
The atmosphere seemed much like a univerity cafeteria, pretty drab and small.

Minh Minh Restaurant Review

94 Victoria Street
Richmond 3121
Phone: 03 9427 7891

Food
Vietnamese, Lao and Thao dishes are all available on the menu. All quite tasty and of a good quality. I particularly enjoyed the Phat Bai Ka Phrao which had a hot and spicy flavour.
Service
Frenzied, frantic and forgetful. The place was packed, and the waiters were trying, but struggling.
Value
Reasonable value, no banquets or set menus available other than for large groups.
Decor and Atmosphere
Noisy! A lot of people talking over the top of one another and if there was music I couldn't hear it over the ruckus. Also being so full it was a bit cramped. The decoration was quite nice with a decent paint job.

Spirit of India Restaurant Review

401 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne 3205
Phone: 03 9682 6696

Food
Authentic indian dishes. Unfortunately I would have to say that compared with the vast array of quality indian restaurants I have dined at in Melbourne, this just didn't stack up. The meat seemed dry and overcooked. The dishes including the entrees (which are usually my favourite part of indian cuisine) were a bit bland.
Service
Service was pretty slow. There were a lot of people to serve admittedly, but I had to ask 3 different waiters before someone would bring me a drink of water. In fact they brought us empty glasses and just left them there with no drinks. The waiters were seemingly not very enthusiastic.
Value
Value was pretty good. It did meat the goal of a 3 course meal for 2 for under $60.
Decor and Atmosphere
Large rooms, fitting quite a few people, a couple of embroidered tapestries but overall a bit clinical and plain looking inside. Could definitely have done with a few more decorations to create a bit more of an atmosphere.

Sugarcane Restaurant Review

268 Park Street
South Melbourne 3205
Phone (03) 9699 3637

Food
Thai food. No banquets available, but a lovely selection of dishes. The mixed entrees were delicious and the main meals were well portioned. We dined with an extra couple this night and all were very impressed with their meals, most complimentary.
Service
Good service, not too intrusive but there when you need them.
Value
Main meals were around the $20 mark, so with no banquet available this could cost a little extra, but not too expensive overall.
Decor and Atmosphere
A cosy atmosphere, modern music rather than reflective of the cuisine. Some lovely decoration and lighting. Well presented.

Sakura Restaurant Review

329-331 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne 3205
Phone/Fax (03) 9699 4150

Food
Japanese Teppanyaki. Prepared in front of you with flair. The show is just as important as the food in this style of restaurant. The chef did put on a good show with his food, but I think that while the food was decent, I've had better teppanyaki.
Service
Fair service. We were left waiting throughout the whole meal dying of thirst with the salty dishes, and no waitress in sight to ask for drinks.
Value
You will pay a bit more for Teppanyaki which is to be expected. Banquets started from $42 per person.
Decor and Atmosphere
Very well presented, traditional japanese decorations. The atmosphere was very good and the chef put on a good show with egg flying into our mouths and deft catching of the rice into our bowls. It made for some good entertainment.

Garamerica Restaurant Review

230 Dorcas Street
South Melbourne Vic
Phone (03) 9696 2192

The name of this new and already popular restaurant is derived from Gara and Merica which is Salt and Pepper in Indonesian.
Food
Authentic Indonesian Cuisine that was for me, unique and absolutely divine! I loved every delicious course. Don't be confused with the Drinks and Desserts being grouped together on the menu. We ordered 'Es Teler' and found it was a dessert not a drink. So my partner had his dessert before his mains by accident! But wow, you do have to try this unique dessert! It would be very refreshing on a summer night as it is served with a snowy ice mountain and drips of condensed milk on coconut, avocado and jackfruit.
Service
Very prompt. Great service.
Value
This website aims to feature the best value restaurants in Melbourne, and boy does this one qualify! We ordered a 3 course meal for 2 people with extras and got out of there for $35 total!
Decor and Atmosphere
Quite plain. The only let down we had is that we were seated in a small back room instead of the main eating area, which would have had a much nicer atmosphere. Therefore I would say book in advance to be seated out front, as it was all reserved.

Florina's Greek Taverna Review

209 Glenferrie Road
Malvern VIC 3144
Phone (03) 9509 1762

Food
A plentiful selection of bountiful greek dishes in large portions. Lots of meats, lots of food.
Service
Good service. Well organised.
Value
Quite reasonable. About average for greek cuisine.
Decor and Atmosphere
Simple, fairly plain but smart. I dined upstairs in the function foom for a friend's birthday. They catered for the large group quite well. We even got to dance the zorba after the meal!

Phuket Thai Restaurant Review

229 Glenferrie Rd
Malvern VIC 3144
Phone (03) 9500 0100

Food
A large menu selection of curries, soups, salads, fish, flaming jet wok specials and vegetarian. I tried a mixed entree and it was a selection of deep fry. The main courses were not bad, traditional thai dishes.
Service
Good service. The waitresses all in very smart, thai dress.
Value
Very reasonable.
Decor and Atmosphere
Nicely laid out, some thai decorations but not over the top. Fairly simple with some colour. A busy but fairly relaxed atmosphere.

Ipoh Jaya Restaurant Review

90 Queensberry Street
Carlton VIC 3053
Phone (03) 9349 2988

Food
Malaysian hawker style, with a few other cuisines mixed in to the menu. Some nice hot curries available. Also a full bar service for parties etc.
Service
Fairly attentive service.
Value
Banquets at a slightly higher price than some, but not too bad. Average meal price around $15 a head for a single dish.
Decor
Kind of quirky and ecclectic. The restaurant is on the first floor, upstairs in an old style building.

Nyonya Malaysian Restaurant Review

191 Lygon Street
Carlton VIC 3053
Phone (03) 9347 8511

Food
The food is great, a wonderful selection of dishes in the banquet. I have been here a couple of times and always enjoyed the meals. On my most recent visit though we were advised there was no dessert available with the banquet and they replaced it with singapore noodles. The singapore noodles were lovely, but I would have preferred the dessert after the main course.
Service
Prompt service. There was a bit too much hovering around our table while we were eating however. I think diners prefer their space when eating.
Value
Good value prices.
Decor
Pretty average, nothing flash. Could use some sprucing up.

Moti Mahal Restaurant Review

230 Glenferrie Road
Malvern VIC 3144
Phone (03) 9509 2931

Food
Great selection of dishes, all delicious. Great garlic naan.
Service
Good service. They have an interesting technique which you occasionally see at Indian Restaurants, where they never write your order down no matter how many dishes you are ordering. Yet they always remember it all!
Value
Good price. Value banquets available.
Decor
A change in decor recently. Always a nice relaxed atmosphere with candles.

Claypots Restaurant Review

213 Barkly Street
St Kilda Vic 3182
Phone (03) 9534 1282

Food
Some superb seafood and spicy fishes. Unique and delicious flavours
Service
You can't book. There's a lot of self help here, but they're always full so it shows you how good the food is.
Value
Reasonably priced for seafood. Not bargain basement.
Decor
Small, often cramped. Certainly not your yuppy restaurant!

Bambu Malaya Restaurant Review

442 Glenhunty Road
Elsternwick VIC 3185
Phone (03) 9528 3842

Food
Superb. Very filling and well flavoured malaysian cuisine. Fantastic coconut juice.
Service
Generally good service, I've been back a couple of times and there was one occasion where it was a little slow, but mainly they are very good.
Value
Good value. Not too expensive.
Decor
Cute, not way classy but well presented. A small restaurant with a few cute decorations and some fish and interesting instruments on display.

Café India Restaurant Review

725 Burwood Road
Hawthorn East VIC 3123
Phone (03) 9882 6833

Food
Great food. Tremendously good value, traditional Indian. I recommend trying the rose flavoured lassi to drink, yum.
Service
Very good service, friendly, polite and well timed.
Value
The best value indian food restaurant I have ever come across!! You will not find a cheaper 3 course banquet for indian food anywhere! And the quality is just as good as many of your much higher priced restaurants.
Decor
A little outdated with wallpaper etc, but cosy and a nice atmosphere.