Russian — Gastrology

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Third Wave.

Inga and Greg have struck smoky southern gold with the American BBQ offerings which have taken centre stage on their Prahran cafe's dinner menu.

The Slow Smoked BBQ section of Third Wave's menu boasts 5 different meats and Smoked Salmon - all of which are smoked with different woods to impart specific flavours and are prepared using dry rubs.

We opted for the pork ribs, lamb shoulder and beef brisket - all of which were absolutely delicious.

Pork Ribs

The pork ribs were stunning - Tender, falling off the bone, juicy and packed with flavour. Prepared in the Southern tradition using dry spices only, the ribs were served with Spicy iQ BBQ sauce and Apple Bourbon sauce which added an extra punch. We loved the smoky flavour imparted from being smoked in Maple wood for almost 6 hours.

Lamb Shoulder

Flavoured with a proprietary blend of mildly spicy herbs and spices, the lamb was superbly slow roasted. A memorable dish combining flawless texture with equally superlative flavours.

Beef Brisket

The beef brisket was a standout. Particularly noteworthy for its fragrant and complex beefy flavours which were enhanced by being marinated for 48 hours prior to being smoked for around 10 hours using Hickory wood. The meat was both soft and delicate.

Smoked Mac and Cheese

Smoked with Hickory Wood, we loved this classic twist on the mac and cheese which incorporated house smoked crispy bacon.

Georgian Salad

The Georgian salad was an enlivening salad with bold tastes and textures. A mixture of 5 herbs (parsley, coriander, dill, mint and basil), the salad was a beautiful and fresh addition which went well with the meats.

Pecan pie

It was everything you would want and expect from a pecan pie. Making wonderful use of America’s native nut, the dessert was all about those delicious nuts and was served with espresso cream and a decadent scoop of ice cream for contrast. We loved the rich crumbliness and complementary nuttiness of the pastry which perfectly contrasted its gooey richness.

Cherry Cheese Blintzes

Inga’s delightful Russian "accent" made an appearance as we concluded our evening with the cherry blintzes. Well-made with well-balanced flavours, it was a lovely treat.

Third Wave Café surprises with authentic American BBQ meats which are slow-smoked over real hard woods, delicious side dishes and an uncompromising commitment to service.

Location: 476 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick
Phone: 03 9530 0012
Link: nevsky.com.au
Cuisine: Russian
Overall Impression: 5/10

The service was brilliant from start to finish. We felt incredibly welcomed and taken care of. Our lovely waitress and maître d even took the time to explain the different vodka shots we were having and how they varied in quality and taste. The ambience is lovely. There is a fireplace that burns throughout the evening and was incredibly comforting as it was a cold winter night on our visit. Looking at the extensive menu, we were not sure what we should order so we settled on the “Russian Banquet” that costs $55 a head. Overall, the food was of a reasonably good standard and tasted home-made. It was a pleasant introduction to Russian cuisine.