Ayatana is a modern Thai restaurant and Bar in a classy precinct of Chapel St in Windsor. Come here for a fine dining Thai experience with a modern twist. You won't find the usual Thai menu of chicken skewers, pad thai and traditional dishes. What you will find is a creative modern version of Thai fare with strong punchy Thai flavours still to the fore. Dishes are not predictable but bold and creative and the mantra of hot, sour, salty and sweet is very much in play says Tony (one of the owners).
And an Ayatana you will discover an incredibly comprehensive wine list with pages and pages of wines from most significant Australian and New Zealand wine regions. I looked across and saw an iconic Leconfield Merlot at the next table. Tony is a wine enthusiast and really knows his wines. With many Thai restaurants offering house wines and a small selection of wines I found the extensive list at Ayatana to be a winner.
Longrain is an impressive Thai restaurant that pleases with its sexy fit out, high calibre cuisine and exceptional service. It brings fine dining to the Chinatown precinct. Longrain was an impromtu venue to catch up with fellow members of The TV Dinners new wave band that thrilled audiences in the 1980s.
The lads were in town from Adelaide to see the resurgent Sunnyboys (who the TV Dinners once supported) at the Corner Hotel in Richmond. As new wave rockers we were into driving guitar, seedy venues and loads of anarchy... We looked to bands like The Clash, The Buzzcocks and The Jam for inspiration.
The anarchists JL and Tony (aka Johnny Dynamo and Fab Charisma) are now lawyers and professionals but still love to rock out... We were also joined by a Melbourne filmmaker. Crazy stories of rock and roll and filmmaking over sophisticated Thai dinner...
This slightly grainy photo (no pun intended) is not unlike the lighting conditions when the band played. It features our first course of pork on pineapple - great combo and delectable...
Red Spice Road is one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Melbourne. This is classy South East Asian dining with chart topping dishes at a reasonable price. The Pork belly signature dish was one of the greatest dishes I’ve ever eaten in my life. We are excited to see the latest offering by John McLeay the Head Chef in his new book release, Bits on Sticks.
Come here for a sense of occasion and an air of sophistication without being stuffy. The décor is modern and classy with large David Bromley paintings and red hues and themes including a massive red lantern (largest in the southern hemisphere). Cudos to the team and head chef John McLeay.
Chin Chin is a Melbourne phenomenon that continues to constantly draw a packed house and is surely among the best dining experiences in this city. It's a restaurant with "wow" factor. This is Asian (Thai, Malay, Chinese) cuisine that is so inventive and multidimensional if not exciting. The noise levels are high, there is movement all around, and the food aromatic and visually appealing. It seems like you're in Asia (which I am most fond of). Surely Chin Chin is one of the best sensory dining experiences around.
Chin Chin is chic. The vibe is sensational with modern chic decor, sexy lighting, a cool bar area where you can perch on a stool, and the hum of the dining area. Getting a table at Chin Chin can be difficult unless you are prepared to wait (you can always visit Go Go Bar in the interim). This can be at least an hour or two. The no booking policy means you take your chances (they only take bookings for groups of 10-12). So it was incredible that we walked in and scored a table to seat 9.
Nipa Hut is a great Thai and Filipino restaurant in Mitcham which presents quality food with love. The menu offers a wide range of dishes including the popular Pad Thai and Green curry, as well as Pork belly and Coconut rice.
They also offer some tasty Thai desserts including black rice pudding. I consulted the staff because I never know whether to eat the deseerts hor or cold - but I'm told both is acceptable.
Nipa Hut provides authenticity of the Thai tradition. Fresh ingredients and excellent profile of the spices enhances the dishes.
Locals can chat with the staff who are engaging and aim to please.
Ghin Khao is a top value and excellent Thai restaurant on Swanston Street. It offers tasty and well constructed cuisine to keep students and other Thai lovers coming back for more. It does well in a precinct where Asian eateries abound and competition is high.
The fit out is a cut above some of its competitors with funky chairs and cool lighting. The large orange lamps standout.
Flicjk through the large colourful menu that leaves you in no doubt as to the options here. The spring rolls are popular as is the Chang Mai Noodles. Or classics such as Pad Thai or Tom Yum soup. Or order a thai curry or thai salad.
Nine Elephants is a brilliant Thai restaurant and one of the best in Docklands. In fact it has won an award for best retaurant in Docklands. This area of the Docklands is either happening with throngs of people or basically dead. Nine Elephants offers a fine dining and classic dining experience with an air of serenity and attention to detail.
Having attended a conference in Docklands word got out that Nine Elephants was a standout in the precinct. Whether visiting with a group or enjoying a romantic night out, I've heard great reports on all fronts. We were there for a romantic evening until friends rocked up and sat at the table next to us. But its all good. The first course was at least romantic for us.
One has to rave about the Massaman curry which was superb with the right amount of spice. Indeed most dishes here seemed to have a bit of kick in them. The entrees and salads were also outstanding.
One of the best restaurants along Swanston St! From first inspection it looks like a humble city restaurant with menu choices lit up behind the counter and pictures of meals all over the walls. But the food is wonderful, creative and quality for the price.
You can tell if a restaurant is just interested in turnover or shows flair – Your Thai delivers great food with flair! The service is friendly and the meals come quickly.
Your Thai has such a great menu selection at value prices! Love the Pad Thai and Kway Teow options! Most of the favourites are here! Green curry and red curry and Massaman Curry feature as standout dishes. The salads are attractive and minced meat dishes are also popular. And of course the fried rice is a winner!
Come to Cookie for amazing Thai food in an amazing restaurant and beer hall in an amazing building, being Curtin House. Cookie is of course upstairs and features as a bar not just a restaurant. This is one of those “go to” places to take out of towners - as much for it’s character and uniqueness, as for it’s imaginative quality cuisine.
Walk up the stairs of the cool Curtin House to a place hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Swanston Street. Enter the dimly lit but uber cool large dining area. Was asked where we would like to sit and saw an opportunity out on the stately balcony. My friend and I, meeting for lunch, felt like royals out there on the balcony overlooking Swanston St. I highly recommend you score a balcony booth on a sunny Melbourne day.
The menu is impressive with a great number of imaginative selections. To our amazement out popped head chef Karen doubling as a lunchtime waitress. Head chef Karen is a delight and has a large number of creative and skillful Thai chefs to manage.
