Tamarind Spice Restaurant Review

257 Glenferrie Rd
Malvern Vic 3144
Ph: 9576 0597

Food
Indian, Malaysian and SIngaporean cuisines.. at least that is what it says on the menu, however the front window boasts a couple of extra cuisines such as Sri Lankan - a little confusing. If you look through the menu though I would say the dishes are 85% Indian, with just a few other dishes thrown in here and there. The food was of reasonable quality for the price. The 'chilly' (?) chicken was hot and spicy. A few quirky titles for dishes on the menu too with some questionable spelling.
Service
The waiter seemed to have a great deal of trouble understanding english. We tried over and again just to request a spoon. I guess he was trying his best though.
Value
The restaurant claims it has the best deal in town, and it comes pretty close. Extremely cheap banquets available - $30 for two people or $50 for 4 people! Every individual meal on the menu is under $14, so there is some really great value to be had here.
Decor and Atmosphere
Conservative, not flash, a bit b-grade. Sometimes you get what you pay for in that respect.

Jaisalmer Palace Restaurant Review

98 Bourke Street
MELBOURNE 3000

A brand new restaurant at the time of this review. We were unable to obtain a business card from them so do not have the telephone listing as yet. They did not yet have credit card facilities available either, though I believe that is coming soon.
Food
Traditional Indian. Generous servings, but not living up to my expectations of the high standards of indian cuisine in melbourne restaurants. An unusual start with a tomato based soup before entree. A rather dodgy tasting sausage in the entree dish. The sauces in the dishes of the mains didn't have the intoxicating spices and flavours I so treasure in traditional indian curries. A couple of the dishes I just didn't like too much - and indian is usually my favourite of all cuisines!
Service
Some peculiar waiters. Once we were seated they then told us to get up and stand aside while they reset the table. They asked my partner if they should bring dessert out while I was still in the bathroom, then they took away our drinks while we were still drinking them. Very flighty and fidgety serving. They were attentive but bizarre and out of sorts at times.
Value
Good value banquets available. All reasonably priced.
Decor and Atmosphere
The reason I was attracted to this restaurant is that the interior is very impressively set up. Some wonderful decorating, gorgeous carved wooden chairs (and tables upstairs). A delightful interior. No airconditioning which was a bit stifling on a hot summer night.

Chine on Paramount Restaurant Review

Shop 9 & 10, Paramount Centre
101 Little Bourke Street
MELBOURNE 3000
Ph: 03 9663 6556

Food
Chinese Cuisine. The standard type of chinese fare found in most chinese restaurants in Melbourne. The banquet was quite small compared to most, not entirely fulfilling. The presentation was very meticulous. Live fish and lobsters swimming in tanks to choose from if that's your cup of tea.
Service
A La Carte service, very professional with great attention to detail.
Value
Not great. Most dishes were quite expensive for chinese. The wine prices were out of this world. The banquet wasn't great value.
Decor and Atmosphere
Beige invasion with brown wood panels. Quite simple and plain. Easy listening elevator style background music. Probably more suited to the older folk.

Melbourne Vietnam Noodle House Review

251 Swanston Street
MELBOURNE 3000
Ph: 03 9639 4911

Food
Vietnamese Pho style noodle house. Being so close to Mekong (a couple of doors further down Swanston Street) it draws inevitable comparisons, though not favourable ones. A good selection on the menu, but the food I had didn't overly impress me. Not more than a couple of pieces of meat in my special combination dish. The drink selection was interesting, but my drink was very thick and powdery and had to be eaten with a spoon.
Service
Ok. The man at the counter where you pay was quite grumpy looking :(
Value
The value is good, all very reasonably priced.
Decor and Atmosphere
Clean and neat, nothing exotic.