Recipes, Reviews, Profiles, Tips and other information from the world of master chefs
The Groove Train café, bar and restaurant
There is something mass-produced about this place, but the menu selection and food quality belies this assumption. There are several Groove Train Restaurants around Melbourne and Brisbane, we have been fortunate to visit the newly opened restaurant in Victoria Harbour Docklands, and also one at Plenty Valley. There is a vast menu selection, featuring wood-fired oven pizzas and Mediterranean and modern Australian-inspired dishes. There is something for everyone, and whichever one you find yourself at, you know you will be getting the same choices and same high quality service and food.
Other Things You Should Know
- Open 7am ‘til late, 7 days
Location & Contact
- Shop 8P, 833 Collins Street, ANZ Centre, Victoria Harbour, Melbourne, Docklands
- Phone 03 9614 7001
- web: www.groovetrain.com.au/locations/victoriaharbour
Epping Thai Restaurant
If you are a fan of Thai food like ourselves, this is the only such restaurant in a large radius. Thankfully the food is great. The Epping Thai Restaurant is located on High Street in Epping, serving authentic Thai food. All the usual favourites are here, served with love and care.
Other Things You Should Know
- takeaway available
- Open Daily from 5:30 pm
- Fully Licenced & BYO (wine only)
- Function Bookings Available
Location & Contact
- Shop 4/772 High Street, Epping (Cnr High and Rufus Streets)
- ph 03 9408 9880
- web: www.eppingthai.com.au
Star Hotel Cafe and Wine Bar, Echuca VIC
We went here as part of a large group, and they handled the multiple order requests quite well. The food was not extraordinary, but not much more was expected in Echuca. The Star Hotel is located in the historic precinct of Echuca. Facing the river is the old facade of the former Star Hotel (est. 1867), a nice place to stop for a drink as you explore the history of Echuca. This hotel is well known for the special escape route for drinkers that was created so that drinkers could get away during the police raids after it lost its license in 1897.
Other Things You Should Know
- dinners only available on Friday and Saturdays
Location & Contact
- 45 Murray Esplanade in the Port of Echuca
- Telephone: 5480 1181
- web: www.starhotelechuca.com.au
Kawanku Restaurant
The Kawanku Restaurant in Mill Park, Victoria, serves Chinese and Malasian food. The restaurant wass estasblished in 1992, and has faithfully served the local clientelle good tasting food with a smile. When we visited we purposely chose the traditional Malaysian style dishes, such as Satay beef and chicken skewers, Sambal Prawns, Tom Yam Soup and Nasi Goreng.
Other Things You Should Know
- takeway available
- free prawn crackers with over $20 purchases
Location & Contact
- Shop 1/5 Bush Boulevard, Mill Park, VIC 3082 (behind Hungry Jacks and KFC)
- ph 03 9436 6338
Santa Fe Restaurant, Subiaco, Western Australia
An old favourite, this place is as popular now as it has ever been. Not just the usual Mexican food, Santa Fe serves south west american and new mexican styles and flavours. The menu includes many interesting variations of the traditional nachos and burritos. It has been around for a long time on Hay St, and has undergone some changes over time.
Other Things You Should Know
- it is a fully licenced restaurant, B.Y.O bottled wine only (corkage charged)
- open from 10am to Late every night, serving brunch from 10am – 5pm and dinner from 5pm onwards.
- happy hour is from 6-7pm, which is two for one cocktails
- Takeaway available
Location & Contact
- 315 Hay St Subiaco WA 6008 (corner of Hay St and Townshend)
- ph 08 9381 2571
- web: www.santaferestaurant.com.au
It is an institution in Leederville, and it shows. Anna Vietnamese Restaurant is a casual eatery, quite old school but popular with locals. It can get busy at times, and is suitable to bring the kids or come along in a group. The menu is quite long, though contains mostly standard Asian restaurant fare – don’t expect any ‘pho’. There is nothing surprising on the menu, but if you choose wisely or go often enough you will find something satisfying. The restaurant is BYO, with two handy bottle shops in just down the road in Leederville.
Our Experience
At a recent visit Clare ordered one of the specials from the board, Cinnamon Chicken, which was chicken on the bone, which we did not expect. It smelt and tasted great though. The serving sizes were good, with three dishes ordered for two adults and one child we had extra took home extra. Overall the food was OK and we may go there again if looking for a cheap night out.
Contact:
175 Oxford St
Leederville 6007
Western Australia
Phone (08) 9444 3122
