Taste of Melbourne

[syoung]

Hi All, I'm from Toronto and will be visiting Melbourne again this December. On previous occasions, we've been to a few of the better restaurants including Stasio and Vue de Monde. This time, we like something that best shows off local Australian food. Any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[mr_gimlet]

Charcoal Lane.

[syoung]

Thank you for your reply but I'm looking at Charcoal Lane's website and it appears to be some kind of charity restaurant providing traineeships and apprenticeships to Aboriginal and disadvantaged young people. Though this is a commendable cause, I don't think this is the type of restaurant we had in mind for vacationing in Melbourne.

In any case, we have reservations at Rockpool, Tempura Hajime and The Point for the time being.

[mr_gimlet]

You specifically asked for local Australian food. Charcoal Lane gets 14/20 in the 2013 Good Food Guide, which is one point off hatted status. It's not a soup kitchen.

I think you will be disappointed by The Point, but I look forward to your report.

[Beach Chick]

I'll be in Melbourne as well in December and thank you mr_gimlet for the rec on Charcoal Lane.
I lived briefly in Toorak years ago and can't wait to get back to Melbourne!
There was a downtown pub that I wish I could remember that was one of Melbourne's classic..