Maharaja Indian Restaurant, Nedlands

Hi everyone,

Last month BF and I finally got around to using a voucher I had purchased to dine at Maharaja Indian Restaurant on Stirling Highway in Nedlands. The voucher entitled us to an entree, main and desert each of our choosing along with a bottle of wine. The restaurant was quite overwhelming in regards to the decor when we first entered. We did not stop looking around at all the gold and grandness of the furnishings for the first few minutes until the wine arrived and we decided to move onto selecting our dishes off the menu.

While the voucher said we were entitled to a ~$20 bottle of Margaret River red or white, instead we were presented with a bottle of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. I did not complain when they brought out the wine as this is a wine I have been meaning to try for far to long. The wine was delightfully refreshing and crisp. I was really amazed at how my palate has shifted with regards to Sauvignon Blancs and how long I had put off trying some of the more well known names at work. While we sipped away at the wine we looked over the menu and selected an entree each from what we were allowed as well as a main each off the menu.

Entree

I ordered an entree of mix samosas while BF ordered the onion bhaji. The samosas were a little more spicy than I had anticipated but were still nice, there was enough filling to pastry. The onion bhaji’s were something I had never tried before but something I ended up enjoying. BF and I were still trying to get through these filling entrees when our mains came out.

Meat and Vegetarian Samosas ($8.90)

Onion Bhaji ($8.90)

Mains

As part of the meal voucher we were provided with a selection of condiments along with a large serving of Poppadoms between the entrees and mains.

Beef Vindaloo ($24.90)

Chicken Tikka Masala ($24.95)

While BF enjoyed my chicken dish I wasn’t a big fan and I think it came down to the coriander, I do not think it is a spice I enjoy at all and it is a shame as I did not realise this until after trying the dish. BF’s meal was delicious and not too overly spicy for either of us. The portions were generous and more than either one of us could finished on our own.

Naan ($4.95)

Rice ($6)

With the mains we had a serving of rice and naan to accompany it. The rice was cooked perfectly however the naan was only average, I feel that I have had better naan in different Indian restaurants across Perth.

We were entitled to desert as well with the voucher however by the end of the mains we felt absolutely stuffed and the dishes looked like they had barely been touched so we decided to pass on that portion of the voucher. I would happily return for the food as I think the portions are more than generous for the prices and for what BF and I had to share could have easily been stretched across one or two extra people. Service was attentive and not overbearing.

Until next time!

 

Melba, Melbourne

Hi Everyone,

My last night in Melbourne this month was spent having dinner at Melba Restaurant located in the Langham Hotel. The restaurant was buffet styled, however the food on offer ranged from seafood, to pasta prepared to order, roast station, Indian station, made to order sashimi station to a wide selection of cheeses, salads and cold meats. This link will take you to a sample menu for what could be offered for dinner in the buffet at Melba.

Their selection of cheese’s reminded me of the cheese platter I had at Quarter on Hay in Perth. I thoroughly enjoyed myself with a sample of a small selection of these for a starter while I eyed off the different buffet stations and planned my dinner.

Selection of cheeses.

I started at the Roast Station where I had a selection of pork, beef, chicken, lamb, vegetables and a selection of sauces to accompany. The meat was cooked well and the selection available led me to grab a small piece of everything I could so I could try as much of what they had as my stomach would take.

Roasted meats station.

There was a sashimi section where you could select from a range of fresh raw fish to have sushi made for you on the spot. I tend to avoid raw fish and so was a little disappointed I could not try any of the tantalising sushi, which I had seen at other tables in the restaurant.

Seafood.

While I was sampling from the roast station others dining with me had headed off to the Indian station for tandoori chicken, saffron rice and naan cooked to order.

After finishing our first plateful we discovered the pasta station where you saw your pasta being cooked in front of you with ingredients of your choice. I wish I had filmed the guy as he casually created a delicious masterpiece for me all the while conversing with me.

After we had our fill of pasta we intended to get another plate of food however we wandered past the desert station and didn’t manage to make it any further. The variety of deserts available for selection made for a very tough decision, especially when a chocolate fountain was included – I was in desert heaven!

Deserts galore!

Selection of deserts from Melba plus cupcakes from Little Cupcakes.

For those who love their seafood then this restaurant is one to check out while you’re in Melbourne. There was also a selection of prawns, oysters, crabs, you name it included in the buffet. I’m not a big fan of shellfish and seafood in general so I passed on this selection however the presentation looked fantastic!

Last was the cocktails that we had over the night. While their wine menu had many interesting options I had a quick flick through the cocktail list and saw an Apple Crumbletini and was instantly sold. We also ordered their Strawberries and Cream cocktail and their Passionfruit Mojito. All three cocktails were delicious and a good way to end our time in Melbourne.

Apple Crumbetini and Strawberries & Cream

Passionfruit Mojito.

Thoroughly enjoyed the meal and will have to return next time I am in Melbourne so that I can attempt to make it to every single station in the restaurant as well as getting the chance to try a few more of their cocktails which looked very tantalising on the menu. Service was also fantastic and the view over the Yarra River and Melbourne at the sun was setting made for a perfect and relaxing end to a quite hectic trip to Melbourne.

Until next time!