Ela Carte Restaurant reviews

Ela in B'Stilla, South Yarra

Oh, this joint became the talk of the town so very quickly. It helps that the chef and owner is the same Jason Jones who co-founded Mamasita. It probably helps that it isn’t another bloody Mexican place.

Ela in Kew for Lil' Boy Blue

Lil Boy Blue is probably a bit like the poem – compact, fun, and cute. It has the added charm of seriously cool décor – it’s all about the detail, from the hanging ferns to the picture frame shelves, & elegant crockery.

Ela finds Polish paradise in Kluska

Set in a renovated house on a busy Dandenong thoroughfare, this truly aims to be authentic home-cooked fare – so the surrounds are apt. Floral tablecloths, images of the motherland, and Polish tunes are a good start...

Ela dines at Salix at Willow Creek

Salix at Willow Creek is just that little more out of the way out in Merricks North. The winery and the restaurant are separately owned but you’d never know it. The property features a pretty original homestead but the restaurant is all new.

Ela starts anew at Shakahari Too

The original Shakahari in Carlton is something of an institution, well known for being a cut above the typical lentil patty veggie café. Like their newer little sister in South Melbourne, Shakahari Too, these guys aim for an elegant, flavoursome menu.

Ela paves The way to San Jose

Another one of those “wish I had one in my ‘hood” type of place. The Way to San Jose is an Italian eatery that wouldn’t be out of place in the trendy inner suburbs, but if firmly planted in a south eastern shopping strip.

Ela Carte 'Milks the Cow'

ELA CARTE: A licensed fromagerie, Milk the Cow does what it says on the tin –sells cheese, and booze. They have plenty of it, something like 70 varieties, and they’d tell you they have the best of the best.

Ela meets the Ginger Baker

But my favourite is probably the most picturesque, a stunning ramshackle café spilling onto the Ovens River right at the end of town. With jam jar lights, and chunky timber tables, Ginger Baker is in a class of its own.

Ela Carte picks Piqueos

Piqueos draws on cuisine from some of my favourite places in the world - Argentina and Peru. It’s been opened by a couple of young local blokes who’ve done their time working for others in some of the best restaurants in Melbourne.

Ela Carte gets serious about Malaysian fare

ELA CARTE: For starters, these guys are serious about their roti, it’s prepared fresh in the front window, and if you can’t get a seat straight away, it’s not a bad distraction while you wait.

Ela Carte gets Grill'd with the Coat of Arms burger

3AW Foodie Ela Carte celebrated Australia Day a few days early with a Grill'd Coat of Arms Burger, a tasty concoction featuring kangaroo and emu, the two animals on Australia's coat of arms.

Ela Carte strips down Naked in the Sky

REVIEW: If you didn’t get to Naked for Satan last time round, give this one a go – it’s one of those places you want to take a visitor, showing off the best of Melbourne’s cuisine and scenes.

Ela Carte's great summer eateries

As the weather warms up and we bask in the outdoors, Ela Carte picks the best spots to eat and bask in the summer sun in and around Melbourne.

Ela heads to Orto Kitchen & Garden

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Orto literally translates as kitchen garden, the expansive deck is filled with herbs and vegies in planters (and gumboots) amongst the outdoor furniture.

Ela goes to 'Hell of the North'

FOOD REVIEW: It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about a meal. Hell of the North was pure heaven. Tucked away in a side street leading from busy Smith Street, Hell lives in a beautiful bluestone terrace with an unmistakably yellow door.

'The Last Piece' comes home first

FOOD REVIEW: At the bottom of the remaining grandstand at Waverley Park is a great, modern cafe that has well and truly adopted its sporty neighbours and their hoardes of fans.

Ela Carte's Spring Graze

FOOD REVIEW: These promotions from the Melbourne Food and Wine people are always the perfect chance to head to a venue you’ve been meaning to check out. This week Ela headed to the Middle Park Hotel, The Deanery and The Living Room.

Ela muscles her way in Big Boy BBQ

REVIEW: You may read “BBQ”, but don’t be thinking burnt bangers on a sizzling hot grill. This is authentic US style barbecue - all low and slow. Specifically, Big Boy BBQ employs the Kansas City style of cooking.

Ela fly's to the Moon Under Water

FOOD REVIEW: This one’s been eagerly awaited. Melbourne’s restaurant darling Andrew McConnell has taken a true inner suburb pub, a much-loved boozer, and gastro-fied the hell out of it.

Ela Carte eats and loves

SUBCONTINENTAL FLAVOUR: The Olympic challenge this week was to find a country that has never won an Olympic gold and give them some love. I went one better. I found two: Bangladesh and Nepal.

Ela Carte's British fare

UK IN MELBOURNE:: As Ross and John prepare to head to Ol’ Blighty for some big sporting event, the theme of the day must be all things Grand Britannia.

Ela gets engrossed with the Roast

THREE REVIEWS: "It’s that time of year again, and once again I have been unashamedly squeezing as many roast dinners as I can into one single week so I can then come and tell you guys about it." Ela reviews Matteo's, Post Office Hotel & Huxtable.

Ela says Konnichiwa to Akachochin

Akachochin is another of those Japanese “Izakayas”, supposedly a more casual eatery designed for small bites. At the helm is chef Kengo Hiromatsu, so while the feel is relaxed the food seems too good to described as casual.

Down at the Corner with Ela

REVIEW: The Corner Store- It’s big, with options for dining indoors and out, intimate tables and spaces for groups. It was pretty loud given this was a Tuesday afternoon, but it’s not unbearable, and certainly promising that at least it was busy.

Ela tips her sombrero to Senoritas

REVIEW: The Nuevo-Mexican wave started of course with Mamasita, but there have since been additions like Touche Hombre; Fonda and Chingon Cantina in Richmond. Senoritas has one clear advantage, both owner and head chef are Mexican born and bred.

Ela says Casa Ciuccio is the go

REVIEW: If you've enjoyed spending evening grazing at Bar Lourinha, have I got a bar for you! The crew from the popular Little Collins bar have opened up a little further north, & it’s another venue perfect for a night of Spanish share plates & fine wine.

Ela's got soul...and marmalade

MARMALADE AND SOUL: "For me, this was the kind of place where the everyday lunch menu was so enticing that I was annoyed when they then presented me with a blackboard full of appealing specials." Complete review here.

Ela Carte in burger heaven

THREE REVIEWS: "So this week the aim was to go and check out some of the new generation of burgers trying to steal the limelight from established stars like Andrew’s in Albert Park, Danny’s Burgers, and even the likes of Rockpool."

Firechief Ela reports for duty

REVIEW: This week Ela headed to Melbourne's East to the newly opened pizzeria in Melbourne's east she says is "A vibrant eatery that is funky, modern, tasty AND family friendly – it really is a winning combination."

Ela's pilgrimage to the temple

REVIEW: This week Ela Carte headed to Neil Perry’s Spice Temple at Crown Casino. Ela ruminated through the Yum Cha offerings that she says are a "more refined version of the Cantonese tradition that many Melburnians enjoy." Read her review here.

Ela's function at the junction

REVIEW: "It’s an impressive renovation, some tables with comfy, funky chairs – a few higher ones with stools. Great artwork on the walls, fresh flowers and greenery. And the menu itself seems well suited to the neighbourhood."

Ela out at OS Kitchen & WIne Bar

REVIEW: This week Ela headed to Hampton where shes dined in the elegant and welcoming OS Kitchen and Wine Bar. Ela says the bar delivers authentic Italian cuisine with style and simplicity. Read here full review here.

Ela leads the way to Wayside Inn

REVIEW: Sean Donovan’s decision to open a sister pub in South Melbourne pleased me no end. Once again taking over a hotel that hasn’t necessarily benefited from stifling popularity, Donovan has given the Wayside Inn a new lease of life

Ela's eastern excursion

YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES: This week, 3AW foodie Ela Carte ventures to the Rochford Winery and explores the General Food Store in Emerald. Reviews and photos here

Ela's tale of Argentine cuisine

I really did put off a visit to San Telmo, purely because I know and love Argentinian food, and have eaten myself silly at many a parrilla in Buenos Aires. I’m also a proud Melburnian, so if this place was no good – I’d rather not know about it!

Ela says that's amore!

REVIEW: Every shopping strip should have an Italian eatery with this much charm. Open just a year and a half – Pure Italian has that lived in feel that gives the impression it’s the old lady who’s lived down the road for as long as anyone can remember.

Ela Goes swimming at Middle Fish

REVIEW: Not your average Thai restaurant and it’s not your typical locale for a bright, airy, funky café – but then that’s the beauty of Middle Fish...Only trading for breakfast and lunch now, it will hopefully get permission for evening service and a liquor licence...

Ela's 'lazy lunch' at Albert Street

REVIEW: Housed in a grand old bank, this new restaurant is slick and it is stylish, from the outside and within. But the great thing about it is that despite this almost imposing first impression, the service is fabulously friendly, and the food elegantly simple.

Ela finds gold on the silk road

REVIEW: Silk Road has only been open a year, and it’s very much a family business. As you might expect, it’s a modest eatery – clean, but certainly not fancy...but at the end of the day it’s the food that will bring you back.

Ela feasts at The Long Table

REVIEW: "The Long Table this year earned itself an Age Good Food Guide chef’s hat, and it’s easy to see why. Set on split levels, the feel is spacious and classy – tables are spread out and the décor is almost rustic in its warmth and simplicity."

Moors Head has Ela craving more

REVIEW: Sitting down at The Moors Head on a Sunday evening, there was nowhere else I’d rather be. It seems to be built for relaxed evening dining, those nights when you don’t feel like cooking, but you don’t want to spend a fortune either.

Ela Carte: Escar-got to Bistro Gitan

REVIEW: We often talk about the pedigree of an eatery and its employees, and it doesn’t get much better than this. Imagine the three offspring of Jacque Reymond getting together to open a French-inspired bistro in South Yarra.

Ela's Summer Takeaways

REVIEWS: 3AW foodie Ela Carte reviews four fantastic takeaway gems in Melbourne: Foxes Den, Misuzu's Takeaway, Taco Truck and Kallista Deli.

Ela blows into Bruin

The vibe is very inner city but locals of the western suburbs don’t have to cross the bridge for it – I have no doubt Bruin is going to be embraced with vigour by the good people of Williamstown - and rightly so

Ela Carte reviews Noir

REVIEW: The interior at Noir is fittingly dark – black walls, dark chairs, even the air conditioner looks like it’s had a coat of ominous matte paint. The menu, however, is anything but gloomy – and I happily would have tried each and every item listed.

Ela Dines Out At Mister Bianco

REVIEW: "If there’s a good sign to come from a visit to Mister Bianco, it’s that within 30 minutes of arriving wait staff were turning away punters who arrived unannounced and asked for a table. And this was a Monday night."

Ela inspects Bramble and Vine

If you’re sick of hearing people talk about the same “it” restaurants, and would rather support emerging businesses that are just as capable of turning out first rate cuisine – and doing it with a huge dash of passion and pride - it’s worth giving Bramble and Vine a go

Ela unveils the Wyndham Cache

REVIEW: Please – leave your prejudices at the door. Eatery. Werribee. South. I can see you all wanting to make jokes, but believe it or not – there are a number of choices for dining in the area, and they’re all pretty impressive.

Ela snacks at the Yak

YAK BAR: "I don’t know how it has slipped under the radar but more should know about the phenomenal house-made pastas being served up in this colourful bar/restaurant hybrid."

Ela goes over the Barwon edge

BARWON EDGE BOATHOUSE: "It’s not a part of Geelong I know, so discovering Barwon Edge beside a cliff by the Barwon River was a particularly nice surprise...it’s scenic and serene."

Ela digs the Paella at Robert Burns

ROBERT BURNS HOTEL:: "How do you improve on something that’s already considered an institution? Is it possible? Yes, apparently it is." More here from Ela Carte on this Collingwood Gem.

Ela picks Claypots Evening Star

PHOTO GALLERY: This is not a traditional restaurant, more a laid back Mediterranean seafood bar of the best kind, where the seafood is displayed and cooked before your very eyes...So things can be a little bewildering upon arrival.

Ela takes the Thai road

PALADARR THAI ISSAN: A one hatted suburban Thai restaurant, with sommelier and top notch staff – yes, it really does exist, and it’s been wowing Alphington locals since it opened in 2005.

Ela chooses Franco Choos

REVIEW: Franco Choos seats a maximum of 25 guests on just ten tables, and each night the menu consists of only two entrees, two mains, and two desserts from which diners can choose.

Ela indulges in Daylesford

REVIEWS: Ela takes a day trip to Daylesford, and discovers two dining gems

Ela goes Spring Grazing

It’s that time again, each year the team from the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival convinces restaurants all over Victoria to put on daily, weekly, or one-off lunches and dinners based around the theme of the “Spring Graze”.

Ela mingles at Montsalvat

REVIEW: Stunning environs, rustic interior, and good French provincial food – it’s not a bad combo, is it?

Ela goes on a mission

REVIEW: Talk about this new fad of pop ups, this week I popped up in Mission Beach to check on the small town’s recovery post-cyclone Yasi and basically to eat my way through coastal tropical north Queensland.

The Kids keep Ela satisfied

A novel experience this week, with a visit to St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary in The Basin, to experience the wonder that is “Café Kids”. Staffed by students from prep to grade 6, Café Kids runs each Friday lunchtime and seats 28 guests.

Ela sizzles at 'Los Latinos'

"I was asked on air a couple of weeks ago about my favourite South American restaurant in Melbourne, and there wasn’t much time to wax lyrical on Los Latinos, so this week I headed back..."

Ela joins the Union

UNION DINING: Housed in what was a Greek restaurant, it instantly has a relaxed vibe, with terracotta tiled floors, white arches, a gas fireplace and it’s wonderfully spacious...

Ela's Green Day Out

REVIEW: The vego stalwart of Brunswick St is undoubtedly the Vegie Bar, that place where even the meat eaters like to go – but if I were to tell you that a small, Korean, vegan, raw-food café has opened down the road, would it get your pulse racing?

Ela completes royal trifecta

REVIEWS: This week Ela sampled three restaurants in Beechworth and the King Valley-The King Valley Cucina, The Provenance Restaurant and the Stanley Pub. Which one gets the nod?

Ela and 'Estelle' get aquainted

REVIEW: The Estelle reminds me of some of those Basque bars, a little brighter perhaps, but still feeling very much like a drinking establishment where loitering, eating and drinking are encouraged, almost in that order.

Ela Discovers 'Crimean' Side

North Melbourne is going all northern hemisphere on us, with the latest addition being of the Eastern European variety in the form of “The Crimean”.

Ela rugs up at Scarf

Most Monday nights, somewhere in Melbourne, community group Scarf is offering a two course meal at a respected restaurant or café for only $35. The catch? Well the staff aren't quite polished professionals just yet.

Chin chin, Ela!

There's been a buzz around Melbourne, and with its uber-cool interior; creative, modern Asian menu; and an army of fans spruiking it in social media, Chin Chin is bound to remain as busy as it has been from day one.

Ela gets Bottle Shocked

Cinema food doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be processed. It doesn’t have to be sugary. It doesn’t have to be really loud at the most inopportune moments of a film ...

Ela gets Roasted

The Roast Collection is an initiative of the team between the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and sees restaurants all across Victoria put on daily, weekly, and one-off lunches and dinners based around that favourite winter meal.

Ela graces Golden Fields

Andrew McConnell is one of Melbourne’s most respected chefs, and an afternoon or evening at Golden Fields is a great way to sample some of his creative, inspired dishes at a surprisingly good price.

Ela gets (L)OST

OST Bar and Diner is an addition to Bridge Road that has been very much welcomed by locals, bringing a bit more style and substance to the busy shopping strip, and hopefully encouraging others to do the same.

Ela goes Greek at Mezedakia

Mezedakia feels like the sort of place you could spend three or four hours in grazing and drinking without feeling guilty for taking up space – a rarity in this age of express lunches and double sittings

Ela Inspects Rochford Wines

The Yarra Valley was “Open for Inspection” on the weekend, with some of the region’s best wineries, restaurants and hotels giving visitors the chance to learn the tricks of the trade.

Ela experiences Pirianda

Pirianda is like nothing else I’ve ever reviewed before. It’s not a restaurant, and the kitchen isn’t staffed by professional chefs. It’s not open every week, and you can’t order off a menu.

Ela picks a Dandelion

For me, the ultimate compliment is walking out of a new restaurant and remarking that you just can’t wait to get back to try some of the other dishes on the menu, and that’s exactly what I said as I made my way out of Dandelion.

Ela dives in to The Atlantic

Atlantic promises fresh, sustainable local seafood, in a stunning setting and cooked under the stewardship of top chef Donovan Cooke.

A Good Table Indeed!

Time for a road trip, and just over an hour away lies Castlemaine, a historic goldmining town with an abundance of bookshops and fine food. One place is The Good Table, a restaurant reminiscent of the old, beautifully restored Council Club Hotel.

Ela's Tale of Two Breakfasts

Two different but delectable breakfast options in Melbourne's suburbs, from olde english richness in Spotswood, to fresh asian "zing" in Brunswick.

Ela's Morsels - 15th April

It's tough to fit everything into a four or five minute radio segment, so think it’s about time to start a page on the website to talk about the things that don’t quite make it to main course … the little morsels of info, highlights, and musings from the food world.

Ela says "Oui" to PM24

PM24 was probably always bound to be a class act, just nice to see the opportunity wasn’t squandered. Ela Carte reviews new eateries every Friday with Ross and John at 8:20AM. Don't miss it!

Ela lets loose at Papa Goose

What I liked about this menu in particular is that it didn’t feel unhealthy. Often when you’re eating little bites they all seem oily, fatty, fried – and generally guilt-inducing. But at the Loose Goose, there’s some terrific tasty, light alternatives.

More March morsels from Ela Carte

It's tough to fit everything into a four or five minute radio segment, so think it’s about time to start a page on the website to talk about the things that don’t quite make it to main course … the little morsels of info, highlights, and musings from the food world

Ela meets Simon and his ducks

It doesn’t seem like it’s all that often these days that restaurants are as much about the personalities running them as the eating experience itself; but Simon’s Peiking Duck is such a wonderful combination of both.

Ela Carte tries the tapas at Lulo

It would be no doubt be easier to produce stock standard Spanish dishes, but the menu at Lulo is more inspired and adventurous than one might expect for a suburban tapas bar.

Ela Carte discovers Agraba

The wonderful thing about Agraba is that they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, they know that Lebanese cuisine boasts some great, simple, flavoursome fare and so they’re sticking to what they know best.

Ela Carte reviews Josie Bones

The bad boy from Masterchef and his sweet lady have opened shop, bringing us Josie Bones - a Collingwood venue that is all about the ultimate food and beer experience.

Ela Carte races to Hare and Grace

REVIEW: "Definitely worth a try, and if you’ve got clients or otherwise to impress, the restaurant itself looking stunning, with a menu to match – I’d certainly like to go back and have another go." Read Ela's review here.

Afghan Spice Banquet

Dandenong is currently undergoing a pretty amazing transformation. What isn’t changing, though, is the proliferation of international cuisine, including some fantastic Afghan bakeries and restaurants.

The "Art" of the Picnic

It’s not often you stumble upon a corner of the city you’ve never seen before, and out the back of the National Gallery on St Kilda Rd is one such place. Head in the front door, past the Atrium, through the Grand Hall and just beyond that is a little known green oasis with the perfect accessory – a Garden Bar.

Newmarket Hotel

Our waiter tells us the “new” Newmarket Hotel has been open for four weeks, and we screw up our faces. It can’t be possible. The place is heaving. There were only two tables left when we arrived at 2pm on a Sunday – this without any advertising, White Pages listing, or website.

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