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Erawan Tea Room, 2nd Floor, Erawan Bangkok, 494 Mount Pleasant Rd Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Erawan Tea Room, 2nd Floor, Erawan Bangkok, 494 Mount Pleasant Rd Bangkok 10330 Thailand

2nd Floor, Erawan Bangkok, 494 Mount Pleasant Rd Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Ignore all the expensive Afternoon Teas offered by the big hotels, the Erawan Tea Room High Tea at 150 baht per person is a tenth the price and a far more original and delicious experience. You get Thai appetisers and pastries, as well as scones, jam and cream, with a wide choice of tea - I had Jasmine, L had Ginger. It's right next door to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and if you plan to try it, don't bother with lunch first - and you might not want much dinner later, either. They just keep bringing the goodies out: things like prawns in filo pastry, marzipan petit fours, etc. Each plate is quite small, so you don't think you're eating that much. Nice room, sweet staff, ludicrous price. Dec 2006

Piyarata Wiriyapant, 4/11-12, 2fl Rangnam Rd, Phayathai Rajchatevee, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

Piyarata Wiriyapant, 4/11-12, 2fl Rangnam Rd, Phayathai Rajchatevee, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

4/11-12, 2fl Rangnam Rd, Phayathai Rajchatevee, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

No recommendation, we just thought this place looked good, and it certainly was. They give you a great big folder of a menu, with translations and lots of pictures for linguistically challenged foreigners. We shared a huge seabass with chili and limes, glass noodles with baked prawns and various other bits, everything arrived speedily, fresh and hot. Two big bottles of local beer and we were very happy, observing the bustle and the other customers. One thing I've never seen before is a bottle of whisky in an ice bucket by a table, being passed round and poured just as we would wine. It was Johnny Walker Red Label, and a couple of days later L's nephew, who has lived in Bangkok for a few years now, explained that this was quite normal, and that while Red Label is highly regarded, Black Label is the brand to which everyone aspires. Approved DM November 2006

Bombay Beat, 93 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3122


93 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3122

This was recommended to us by locals, and being Londoners, we were curious to try an Aussie Ruby Murray. Bit surprised that the owner, Harry Oberoi is a Sikh, but like most Australians, he was really nice and friendly and we had a pleasant evening. You want to know about the food, don't you? I hate saying this, but Bombay Beat wouldn't last two weeks in any British High Street. Lamb Korma, Pumpkin Masala, Saffron Rice, all dull and dry.

Fisherman's Wharf, The Boulevard, Woy Woy, 2256 NSW, Australia


The Boulevard, Woy Woy, 2256 NSW, Australia

It's not clear at first that there is a restaurant behind the fish and fish and chip shop, but there's a plank passage on the right of the building, and if you walk down there and turn left, you'll find the restaurant. Before you do, look up on the roof and see all the pelicans perched neatly along the gables. Sometimes they stroll around begging from the tables in the front, where people eat their take away fish and chips, and when on the ground they are surprisingly big.

Rubira's, 1 The Esplanade, Sorrento, VIC, Australia 3943


1 The Esplanade, Sorrento, VIC, Australia 3943

There are two distinct Rubira's: the back part is a hotel (pub) where they serve cheap and cheerful no frills food. We ate there a few weeks ago and it was fine. Last night we ate at the restaurant in the front, overlooking the ocean, a much grander affair. We tried to book a table for two on the previous day, but were told by an arrogant man there was nothing at present, but we could "try calling in half an hour" We did so and were told the only time they could possibly fit us in was 6pm but they would need the table back by 8.15.

Lou's Original Restaurant, Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Rd, VIC, Australia


Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Rd, VIC, Australia

There is something Dickensian about Lou's. People of all conditions and classes wandering in and out. The sense of plots, sub-plots and the life of the town. Lots of table hopping, lots of chatty waiters, all male. One was Lou's son - Lou's not Italian, but Samoan, worked in upmarket kitchens for ages till he saved enough to start his own place. The food is outstanding, the kind of thing you'd expect in far more formal and expensive surroundings.

Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, 33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South, VIC, Australia 3937


33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South, VIC, Australia 3937

We hadn't booked and it was almost full, so the waiter asked if we minded sitting outside. What, on the terrace, in the sunshine, overlooking the vineyard ? Oh well, if we must. We shared a goat's cheese mousse of cauliflower puree infused with truffle oil, and a glass of Pinot Grigio which we'd tasted earlier at the cellar door; followed by steak, mash and good gravy for me and spatchcock chicken with gnocchi for him, washed down with a Pinot which we'd also sampled earlier.

Arabesque, 26 Empire Mall, Mornington, VIC, Australia


26 Empire Mall, Mornington, VIC, Australia

Nice decor, Arabesque is set back from the main drag and serves "Modern Moroccan Cuisine". We didn't think it was that different from North London Turkish: roasted veg, lentils, couscous, yoghurt, mint tea - anyone who has eaten at Gallipoli in Upper Street or on Green Lanes Haringey would recognise much of the menu. We loved it, everything fresh, except for a pretty little rose petal flavoured fairy cake, which looked lovely but was old and very, very dry.

Cafe Cliffe, 25 Hesse Street, Queenscliffe, VIC, Australia 3225


25 Hesse Street, Queenscliffe, VIC, Australia 3225

We chose to share the "Tasting Plate" but were not prepared for the huge pile of barbequeued goodies we got. Even by Aussie standards it was humungous and would easily have fed six. There were 3 different kinds of hot bread, a great chunk of quiche, chicken wings, prawns, olives, mushrooms, grilled peppers, some sausages, tomatoes and loads of other stuff. Tasting Plates feature frequently on Aussie menus, I think they just chuck everything they need to use up on them.

Tapas Cafe and Bar, 1/9 Gilbert Street Torquay 3228 VIC Australia


1/9 Gilbert Street TORQUAY 3228 VIC Australia

So laid back as to be horizontal, they serve very average food with no enthusiasm at all. Salads, wraps, cakes, coffee. Despite ordering drinks with our food, we'd almost finished eating and they still hadn't arrived. Eventually went to ask. "Oh, do you want them now ?" Toilets a bit dire. Don't bother. DM Rejected December 2005
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