Reviews by Champagne

This review is for Tooradin Icecream, Tooradin VIC

verified email - 06 Nov 2012

I really like this place. I think the sign says it's an ice-cream cafe. They do have a few savoury foods such as pies, sausage rolls and sandwiches but everyone comes here for ice-cream. We find Tooradin the most convenient rest stop on the drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island and this is on our recommended list. Tooradin is pretty tiny so you shouldn't have trouble finding this place, it has huge signage!

They have over 30 flavours of ice-creams and sorbets. The last time I was there they had flavours like Old English Toffee, Bubblegum, Mint Choc Chip, Passionfruit, Blood Orange, Rainbow, Licorice, Strawberry, Pistachio, vanilla and several chocolate varieties. You can get one scoop with a single plain cone or double scoops if you're hungrier. There are also waffle cones (waffle cone 50 cents extra) and I find the servings quite big.

We've been here twice and I've found the girls serving the ice-cream were very patient and helpful. I find it very hard to pick one out of thirty or so flavours. I really like the Rocky Road which is chocolate with a cherry swirl and marshmallows with choc chips. I didn't really like the mango sorbet that much (I was hoping for something like a Weis bar but this was more like cordial). But I definitely recommend the Rocky Road.

Approximate cost: $Starts at $3.80 for single scoop on plain cone

This review is for Isola Di Capri Italian Restaurant, Cowes VIC

verified email - 06 Nov 2012

Our first visit here was after visiting the penguin parade on Phillip Island. It was getting late (about 9pm) and most places were shut but this restaurant and a few others were open. The kitchen was closed but they were serving pizzas. We got a couple of medium pizzas, one regular and one gluten-free. Their gluten-free pizzas are the best I've ever had: they don't taste like gluten-free and I wouldn't have known if it was put in front of me and not explained. My partner agrees (and he eats regular pizza). I should mention the pizzas are thin crust type and don't have a lot of toppings but they are gourmet type pizzas, not the stodgy ones with loads of poor quality toppings.

Not so good are the mains. We found them overpriced and disappointing. I had a steak here which was served on mash with no veggies. Some of the mash was cold and the steak was a trifle overdone. My partner had crumbed veal which was too oily and overcooked. He said it would have been a good piece of meat but they ruined it with the cooking. The mains are quite expensive ($25-$36) and compared with other restaurants we've been to, not good value.

But we definitely recommend the pizza. We wouldn't order anything else here. My pick is the 'franca' which has chilli. They have a good selection to suit a variety of tastes.

Also don't forget their gelateria next door! This is not open late but one hot sunny day we got a couple and my partner is still raving about the blood orange ice cream he had. There are over 30 (I think) flavours to choose from including lemon, passionfruit, macadamia, bubblegum, rainbow, strawberry and several types of chocolate. My only beef is that the minimum serve is two scoops, which is quite a large helping, and not very cheap.

The restaurant is in an excellent location facing the water.

Approximate cost: $11 medium pizza, few $ extra for gluten-free

This review is for Basil House, Preston VIC

verified email - 29 Oct 2012

I like Basil House: it's cheapish, cheerful and unpretentious. There are nearly 90 choices of mains and we tend to get the stir-fries with steamed rice (most are $8.90, seafood $10.50 or so). You can also have the very hearty noodle/dumpling soups if you are really hungry.

Our favourite dish so far is the stir fried basil beef. I've also tried the chef's special fried rice (a bit stodgy), beef with oyster sauce (nice but a little bland) and the chicken with cashew nuts (surprisingly spicy but would prefer more veggies). They have Vietnamese type dishes with rice vermicelli and soups. Plenty of choices and prices are cheaper than the two restaurants nearby.

This was my partner's regular dinner stop when he lived in Preston and he likes it for the same reasons I do. His only complaint was that it gets very noisy and busy. With prices like these for dinner, it's no wonder.

Approximate cost: $Most are $8 to $10

This review is for Tokuya, Preston VIC

verified email - 29 Oct 2012

This is one of those stores called discount stores, dollar stores, variety stores, the ones with all the cheap Asian stuff, you know the drill. I call them two dollar shops. This is the first store I've seen which is a Japanese dollar store. Admittedly some of their stuff is made in China but it all has a Japanese theme, think miniaturized and cute stuff: ornaments, trinkets, bags, cushions, accessories, kitchen stuff, cosmetics, stationery, home decor. A lot of items have Japanese writing which I can't read, but I did recognise Hello Kitty and Miffy the rabbit.

I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that everything in the store has the same price: $2.80. Some of the items should be cheaper but there are definitely some bargains to be had.

I really like the Japanese chopsticks, plastic rice bowls, lunch boxes, kitchen containers, lunch bags, tote bags and mini bags/pouches. They also have cute little parasols. There are some square seat cushions in bright colours which are soft and comfy. I was amused to see little toilet brushes and replaceable decorative toilet seat covers. My favourite section is probably the organizers with boxes, baskets, holders etc. I got a little pink glittery box to hold small trinkets. It's called a 'freestyle partition craft parts case' which is useful for organising small bits and bobs. Think I'll have to go back and get more stuff...to hold all my stuff!

(note: I think this shop is cash only. There are plenty of ATMs nearby in the centre.)

Approximate cost: $Everything appears to be $2.80!

This review is for Mockingbird Cafe & Patisserie, Fitzroy North VIC

verified email - 23 Oct 2012

This is quite a large shopfront which I think has changed its name a few months ago. It does the usual range of breakfast items as well as fancy looking cake slices. I've tried the gluten free orange almond slice topped with chocolate which is pretty good. They also have a gluten free chocolate slice which is dense and filling, however I prefer the orange almond slice. My partner had some of the chocolate slice and he really liked it.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for their breakfast dishes. We came here one Sunday and I ordered the mushroom stack which was 2 slices of toast with 3 portobello mushrooms, tomato and spinach, topped with an egg. The poached egg was overdone and vinegary and the edges of the toast were burnt. My partner ordered Eggs Benedict which was presented well however the toast was also burnt around the edges. He didn't like his meal and said it was disappointing.

A pity since the cafe is in a very convenient location and is quite spacious. I would recommend the cakes here but not the breakfasts (unless they get a new chef).

Approximate cost: $4.50-$5.50 cake slices approx; approx $15 for Eggs Benedict

This review is for Cafe Fianco, Northcote VIC

verified email - 21 Oct 2012

We have come here a couple of times for dinner in October this year. On both occasions we've had very good food and outstanding service. I think my dining experiences here have been the most enjoyable I've had in Melbourne so far.

We have had the rib eye and porterhouse steaks as well as the lamb cutlets. I found the porterhouse was pretty good. It is served with chips however I made a request for some salad as well and the staff were more than happy to oblige. I really enjoyed the lamb cutlets, which were served with a very nice Greek style salad and tzatziki. (pictures on Urbanspoon). It is a nice dinner that is not too heavy.

My partner is very fond of the Gippsland rib eye which is served with a delicious green peppercorn sauce on mash. The steak was amazingly tender. He's ordered the same dish both times because he loves it so much. At almost $30, this is the most expensive dish on the menu.

We have had only one dessert here, the tiramisu. My partner thought it was one of the best he's ever had (he's a bit of a tiramisu freak). He says that sometimes he orders tiramisu and it's mostly cake with very stingy portions of cream; this one was rich, creamy and delicious. I did sample it and it was very very good.

Service has been excellent. The waitresses have been incredibly helpful and friendly. The chef/owner is very entertaining, coming over to us and making a few jokes. He actually gave me a complimentary glass of wine both times which was very kind of him. Good wine too.

We dined here on weeknights and the restaurant was rather quiet which worried my partner, who was concerned it might not be viable. If it does close due to lack of business my partner is going to be devastated to lose his favourite steak place. We were trying to figure out why it was quieter than the two restaurants nearby and we think it's because this one looks more like a cafe than a restaurant so people may not realise they serve restaurant-quality food for dinner (I think that was my first impression when I came here initially). We've only eaten the dinner style food here so can't comment on the other meals, but we love this place and have come here on two special nights out (birthday and anniversary). I'm sure we'll be back sooner rather than later.

Approximate cost: $Breakfasts $10-$20; pasta/risotto $18-$24; burgers $17-$20; mains $20-$30

This review is for Asian Noodle Fitzroy, Fitzroy North VIC

verified email - 17 Oct 2012

My boyfriend and I can't agree about the food here. He likes their dishes but I am not so keen. We usually find ourselves ordering food here because this place is open when others nearby are closed. It is also in a convenient location near Piedimontes.

In general I find their food overpriced and not very tasty. Their curry laksa was terribly watery and insipid. I've also tried the Singapore noodles and the kuai teow which were bland and disappointing.

The only dish I've liked is the special fried rice which I've had a few times and would order again.

The lady who serves here doesn't smile but the gent is very friendly.

I prefer Super Tasty Rooster across the road which has better value and decent food.

Opening Hours
11am - 9.30pm Mon-Thurs
11am-10pm Fri-Sat
5pm-10pm Sun & Public Holidays

Approximate cost: $10-$12

This review is for Parramatta Park Cafe, Parramatta NSW

verified email - 14 Oct 2012

I live in Melbourne now but I thought I should write this because it is coming up to my favourite time of year to visit Parramatta Park.

I've always found it amazing that in the middle of a city such as Parramatta there is this beautiful park with the river running through it and lush greenery alongside. The cafe is located on Byrnes Avenue, surrounded by jacaranda trees. There are quite a few parking spots nearby which makes it a convenient meeting place. My friends and I would catch up over brunch here and have a stroll through the park afterwards. I found it a very tranquil 'oasis' far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.

As for the cafe itself, the food is basic cafe style food which I wouldn't call particularly remarkable, and the service can be extremely slow on occasion. I would however consider this place to be a must do simply because of its location.

If you are going to visit, I very highly recommend you do so in late October - early November when the jacarandas are in full bloom: it is absolutely gorgeous. I left Sydney in 2011 after living here 15 years and visiting the park during early November is one of my favourite memories.

You can view the cafe menus on http://www.ppeventcentre.com.au/index.html

Open 8am - 3pm Monday to Sunday

Approximate cost: $9-$18 breakfast dishes; lunch mains $15-$18

This review is for International Cakes, Melbourne VIC

verified email - 13 Oct 2012

I came across this shop on Lonsdale Street and was struck by the attractive display of cakes and sweet treats in the windows. I thought all the items looked amazing! There were almond and pistachio baklavas, triangles of almond cake, and all sorts of tempting goodies.

I purchased a chocolate hazelnut round. I'm not sure what its exact name is but it looks like a large cookie, studded with hazelnuts, with its edges coated in dark chocolate. The cookie part and chocolate tasted very good but I thought the nuts were a bit dry. It was more expensive than I thought: about $6.50. However I could only eat half of it as it was very dense so I left half for my partner. He said it was delicious but then said the nuts were somewhat stale.

I think rosep1 hit the nail on the head when they mentioned the 'mountains of unsold items' in the windows. It's such a pity because I think if there were less items with faster turnover, then they would be fresher and customers would have a better experience. I could not fault the taste of the item as such, just the freshness. What a pity. Some of the cakes looked delicious, but I can think of other sweet treats far better and cheaper than these.

I had no problems with service. Both staff members I saw were nice and friendly enough however I was the only customer in the shop at the time.

I don't think I will be coming back until I see a better turnover of the items in the windows. If you do visit, I think it will be hit or miss as to how fresh your item will be.

PS. Mind the step at the front, it's elevated from the street and I missed it both times when entering and exiting the shop.

Approximate cost: $6.50 for a choc hazelnut round

This review is for Laksa King, Maribyrnong VIC

verified email - 11 Oct 2012

For something in a food court, I'd have to say this is unbeatable. I've not made it to Flemington yet, but after consuming several disappointing laksas elsewhere I had to come here for the real deal. They have a range of laksas available such as beef, chicken, fish and king prawn but I usually can't go past seafood.

Their seafood laksa is rich and delicious. The one I ordered came with a couple of calamari pieces, the seafood slice things (sorry not sure what the proper name is) and 3 huge meaty prawns (fortunately deveined). There was a hefty piece of succulent eggplant and the best laksa tofu I've ever had. Normally I find tofu tastes like a thong but this was soft, silken and creamy. I couldn't believe it was tofu! My only (minor) criticisms would be 1) too many noodles 2) too few bean sprouts however the laksa was so good I feel a little guilty for mentioning this.

I've tried their chicken rice but it was not Singapore style and was flavoured with garlic instead of ginger, a big no-no in my book. I don't think I would eat anything other than laksa here.

Excellent value too; for a seafood laksa this good I would have expected to pay more.

My partner and I came here for laksas on a weekend which was pretty busy; we had to wait 15 minutes for the food since there was a bit of a queue. It was worth the wait though - we drained our bowls clean. Not a scrap was left.

Approximate cost: $12.50 for a seafood laksa