Big Boy’s Brunch

I’m just back from a three day business trip to Melbourne and thought I write a few words about the eateries I visited before the jet-lag finishes me off.

Blue Train Cafe – hip and stylish cafe in the heart of the South Bank. I had three extremely flavoursome minted lamb cutlets served on a Lebanonese styleflat bread heaped with toasted almond tabouleh, rocket salad & yoghurt dressing. This plus a freshly made lemon, lime and bitters and coffee for under $25 made a great value lunch.

The Courthouse – a very pleasant local restaurant located in the suburb of Berwick. After a Leffe blonde beer and a squint at the menu, I opted for the lemon and pepper calamari followed by three porks with pickled cabbage. Neither dish really stood out when compared to my companions’ meals and, while the pork chop was tender, the gammon was dry and salty and the belly limp and lacking flavour. Redemption came in the form of the sorbets I had for dessert and a superb Marlborough pinot gris. I didn’t pick up the tab for this meal but, despite nice decor and efficient service, I’m not convinced my meal justified the prices on the menu.

Eating House – This large airy restaurant in Lynbrook has been open less than a week but still provided a lunch for seven hungry business folk in quick order. Despite a large menu of modern Australian dishes, I choose a Caesar salad with barbecue chicken, which was pleasant with well balanced flavours if a little lacking in presentation. All the dishes were well-proportioned and offered good value for money, as did the Sauvignon Blanc we shared. I’ll be back to try more when I fly back to Melbourne in a few week’s time.

La Camera Southgate – this was my second visit to this down to earth Italian-influenced restaurant. Dips, warm olives and flat bread paved the way nicely for a firm fleshed marlin steak served with a rich tapenade and roast Mediterranean vegetables. The fish was excellent and the vegetables a good enough supporting act to help balance things out. We baled out early in order to grab rich sweet desserts and coffee at Zampelis Cafe Greco near the Crown Casino. I ordered a lemon cheesecake but failed to eat more than two mouthfuls – too sweet for my savoury tooth and too large for my at-capacity stomach.