Restaurant Review: Melba Brasserie

Location: 1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank
Phone: 18 0064 1107
Link: melbarestaurant.com.au
Cuisine: Buffet, International, Asian
Overall Impression: 6/10

Melba Brasserie serves what is arguably the most highly regarded buffet in Melbourne. Incorporating food from a diverse range of cultures and various interactive features within the dining experience, it is easy to understand why Melba Brasserie has become as popular as it is.

The ambience is surprisingly informal although the waitstaff sincerely try to provide an elegant dining experience. It is however, due to the plain fact that guests are for the most part up and about, not easy to be attentive. We had to request for our wine glasses to be filled a few times over the course of the evening. Whilst this would have been unacceptable at a fine dining establishment, as it is a buffet it is difficult to be too critical.

There is an elevated platform at the centre of the dining hall which features a good variety of seafood and salads. In terms of quality, these were of a high standard.

There are a few “interactive cooking stations” that are a popular choice among diners. These stations are interactive in the sense that you can choose what you would like prepared for you. We were spoilt with choice – on offer were hand rolled sushi, sashimi, Asian stir fries, dumplings, pastas, various curries, roasts and much more.

The sashimi and sushi served were of a particularly brilliant quality. They tasted very fresh and were all sliced perfectly with skill and precision.

The dessert bar also featured a wonderful array of choices.

Located within the Langham Hotel, Melba Brasserie has stunning panoramic views. As you peer out the large glass windows you see the beautiful glistening Yarra River and the city skyline.

Our dinner costs us approximately $130 per person (the buffet itself, excluding drinks, costs $94.90 on a Friday night). While the value for money proposition is questionable, Melba Brasserie is certainly the best buffet I have ever been to. All in all, it was an enjoyable dining experience although given the accolade that the restaurant has received, slightly underwhelming. 

Restaurant Review: Kitchen Workshop

Location: Ground Floor, Clarendon Street Entrance, Crown
Link: http://www.crowncasino.com.au/kitchen-workshop
Cuisine: International, Buffet

I hate buffets. But due to several factors including undue influence, I went to Kitchen Workshop last night. There was a pretty decent selection of mains and entrees. From memory, there were lots of random deep fried things, beef bourginon, calamari, fish, roasts, antipastos, salads, pasta, biriyani rice, an interactive teppanyaki station (where you get to choose what you want in your stir-fry). I was waiting in line at the teppanyaki station and saw them pour a ridiculous amount of oil on and chickened out, quickly leaving my position. J and R tried it though and they said there were nice flavours but it was really nothing to shout about. There was also a generous selection of desserts (that included a chocolate fountain).
The mango pudding in particular was a winner. Simple and pleasant.

Overall Impression: 5/10
Delivers everything it promises but goes no further. Great value for money. An all you can eat dinner that cost us 19.50AUD perhead. Relaxed ambience. Helpful staff.

Restaurant Review: Michel's Restaurant & Bar, Novotel

Location: 270 Collins Street, Melbourne

Phone: +61 3 9667 5800

Link: http://www.novotelmelbourne.com.au/melbourne-cbd-restaurant.html

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Overall impression: 6/10

There is a stigma related to restaurants within hotels. There is always a presumption that the food will be well presented but for some reason have that sort of this-food-was-prepared-in-a-hotel taste. I'm not sure how to describe that sensation but hopefully you know what I mean.

As such, I was pleasantly surprised at my experience at Michel's. I had the opportunity of indulging in their buffet lunch. I generally dislike buffets because I have self-control issues, but I'll leave that for another day. Now, back to the restaurant.

The food was actually very enjoyable. I particularly liked their chickpea salad, roasted chicken and cashew nut and peach salad. Desserts wise, the highlight was definitely the delectable pecan tart.

Even though the experience didn't blow my mind or anything, it was nontheless worth blogging about. Oh and great service. Very attentive staff who were just the right amount of 'friendly'.