Review - The Ivy

The Ivy

540 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road
Olinda
Victoria

Cuisine: Italian
Taste Rating: 7/10   Value Rating: 6.5/10

Sat, 4 May 2013

Another lovely spring day in the Dandenong Mountains. We went for a drive up the winding mountain road lined with autumn foliage of reds and yellows highlighting the green. Stopped for a late lunch at The Ivy, situated literally at the corner of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and Olinda-Monbulk Road. First impression was good. A cottage style white and blue building. 

 Entrance facing Olinda-Monbulk Road.

 Entrance facing Mount Dandenong Tourist Road.

Walking in from the crisp air, we felt the warmth from the open fireplace on one side of the dining area. On the other side of the dining area were two rows of tables, with tables placed closed together within each row. The waitress seated us at one of these tables. I was wondering if the tables near the open fireplace were "closed" as only one table was occupied and the others stayed empty while we were dining there.  One waitress told us that these empty tables were reserved but we could sit on the couch area. Another waitress told us that the open fireplace area "is open all the time" but they fill up the rows of tables on the other side first as "it is easier for us to serve". It seems a pity to leave this cosy area empty while filling up the other half of the dining area, especially as both sections are right next to each other in the small dining area. Dining is about the ambiance as well as the food.

Cosy Fire on a Crisp Autumn Day. 

Other side of dining area.

View out the window of Olinda-Monbulk Road and shops

The menu looked good, especially the wood-fire terracotta pot dishes. However, these were only available after 6 pm. I was going to order the seafood pasta linguini, one of my  favourite pasta dishes. However, the waitress pointed out that this too was available after 6 pm. She suggested the Specials Board. So we ordered Pescatore pizza from the regular menu and Pappardelle from the Specials Board. 

It was a late lunch and the place was about one quarter full. Service was reasonably fast. It took about 15 mins for the pizza to arrive, followed by the pasta about 5 minutes later.

Pappardelle (top). Pescatore Pizza (bottom).

The Pescatore pizza is listed on the menu as "Seasonal Seafood, Garlic, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Parsley, Extra Virgin Olive Oil in bianco". Bianco in this context means 'no tomato'. The look of the pizza is tantalising - plump prawns, scallops, mussels, generous octopus chunks. All on a thin pizza base. The taste is not bad - a bit bland but then you want to be able to taste the seafood, not seasonings. The outside edge of the pizza base had the texture and taste of cracker biscuits - this bursts into messy crumbs with the lightest touch so it was not easy to pick up a pizza slice by the edge. Not a problem for me as I used the cutlery but it requires some dexterity if you are eating by hand. The cracker biscuit taste did not complement the overall pizza taste. 

Pescatore Pizza 

Thin Pizza Base with good-sized chunks of Seafood

Pizza Crust all around is crumbly when lightly touched

Pappardelle is listed on the menu as "Porcino Mushrooms, Pine Nuts in a creamy pesto sauce, topped with parmesan cheese". The serve was quite large with a good amount of pine nuts and reasonable amount of sliced mushrooms. The mushrooms did look more like button mushrooms than porcino mushrooms. The dish was fairly tasty and would have been bland without the salty lift provided by the cheese.  The table did have a small condiments dish but the little bit of leftover salt flakes and pepper didn't look appealing.

Pappadelle Pasta

It is interesting that water is served in plastic cups. Looking around, we saw that this is the same for the other tables. It feels strange to be sitting in a restaurant sipping from disposable cups. 

There are signs for live gigs on Fridays and Sundays. I believe this takes place in a separate part of the building called the Lounge Bar area.

Overall, we had a reasonable lunch here.  Prices are pitched at the higher end. The Ivy website  mentions that ingredients are sourced from Italy. It would be good if the menu or the staff could describe or promote the Italian ingredients in the dishes - this may allow the customers to better appreciate the quality or authenticity of the dishes. There are more menu choices in the evening than for lunch, with interesting sounding main dishes which are not available until 6 pm. The restaurant exterior is aesthetically pleasing and the interior is nice while not outstanding. The outside environment is great as can be expected in the Dandenong Mountains. 

Menu

A La Carte Menu

Specials Board

Review - Olinda Tea House

This place is closed. Note on their website says "From the 31st JAN 2014 onwards, the Tea House will be closed until further notice. For wedding and functions venue hire, .. "

Olinda Tea House
86a Olinda-Monbulk Road
Olinda
Victoria

Cuisine: Modern Australian, High Tea, Tea
Taste Rating: 7.5/10   Value Rating: 7.5/10

Sat, 27 Apr 2013

We drove along the single-lane road winding up into the Dandenong Mountains. It was a beautiful autumn day. At this time of year, it is normally cool in the mountains but I didn't need a jacket today, even when outdoors. The sun shone through the lovely autumn foliage. Yet there was plenty of shady greenery from the grand trees and huge ferns along the road. It was the best of both worlds, creating a sense of cool and calm as we cruised along. Our destination was Olinda Tea House.

First impression was good. Lovely old trees with autumn leaves and dappled sunlight overlooked the car park in front. 

First Impression

Dappled Sunlight through the trees

Next was the feature wall with a gateway. I had not read anything of the history of this place before this visit. There is a subtle oriental feel to the place upon entering the gateway.  It was only later when I spoke to the lady at the counter that I learnt this tea house was a family-run place, with her parents and her working there. Later, I read a short history on the Olinda Tea House website of how this place came to be.

Wall with Gateway

Front Entrance

We arrived about 2.30pm on a Saturday. I had made a booking as the person who answered the phone said they were very busy. Sure enough, the place was bustling, even at this late hour. We were running late and our table had been re-allocated to someone else - which is perfectly understandable as they would have needed all the tables that day. We waited about 20 mins before a table was allocated to us. I believe the kitchen closes at 4 pm for main meals, but scones and tea are still available after that. There were people arriving as we left about 4 pm.

Inside

Front Counter

The inside dining room has plenty of natural light. Tables near the windows would have a view of the beautiful tree views surrounding the restaurant. There is a dining area on a balcony outside but we were told by a staff member that there were a few wasps about so we opted for the inside dining area.

We ordered the duck confit, pan-fried salmon and rump lamb. There were a good number of staff working and they all seemed very busy taking orders and delivering meals to tables. Our meals arrived about 30 mins after ordering. More than enough time for me to take photos of the surroundings. I have to say the meals were worth the wait. All three dishes were delicious. The attention to detail is good and little touches make the side salads and accompaniments interesting.

I had the confit duck with braised puy lentils and pancetta, with a salad of pear, rocket and blue cheese with hazelnuts. I enjoyed this meal. Even though confit duck is a rich dish, this meal feels healthy with the lentils and salad. The duck was well cooked with flesh that falls off the bone, with crispy outer flesh and skin. The salad was nice with a variety of flavours and textures. Leafy and crunchy. The puy lentils were interesting with the colour of pebbles and a firm texture, almost like chickpeas in texture and taste. The pear strips were crispy and sweet. Surprisingly, the hazelnuts were crunchy even though they were covered with the dressing. The only thing I didn't like was the pancetta - but that is only because I don't like fatty meat. Oh, and I am not a fan of raw onion rings which were in the salad but again that's a matter of personal taste, and these were finely sliced. Blue veined cheese is not my first choice in cheeses so it turned out well that I couldn't detect this in the salad.

Confit Duck

Duck Confit - another view

The pan-fried fillet of salmon was served with buttered baby leeks, saffron potatoes and salsa verde. Though not mentioned on the menu, the salad also includes slices of ruby  grapefruit which gives a nice tangy touch. There was a generous large juicy lemon half, not the tiny lemon slices that some places give you. They even shaved off the bottom of the lemon half - I assume this is so that it would sit properly on the plate without rolling off. As I mentioned, attention to detail. The salmon was well-cooked and tasty. The salsa verde is not bad - a touch salty but works well with the dish. The saffron potatoes were a big hit.

Pan-fried fillet of Salmon

The rump of lamb was served with a salad of broad beans, peas, mint and fetta cheese, and rosemary roasted kipfler potatoes. The lamb was cooked very well - tender and juicy - and was well appreciated. The thinly sliced potatoes were not bad but would be nicer if sliced thicker so they are softer on the inside while crunchy on the outside. 

Rump of Lamb

Overall, the prices are what you would expect to pay for a good meal in beautiful surroundings, and are not more expensive than what I pay in several city or suburban restaurants minus the view. The dishes were delicious and well presented.  Factor in extra time on busy days for your meals to be served. I would be happy to return, and also to bring guests for a day out  in the Dandenong Mountains culminating in a nice meal at Olinda Tea House.

Menu - Salad, Mains

Inside and Outside Olinda Tea House

Rock sugar, with mini tongs

Nice touch - your bill arrives in a tea cup and saucer like these

Pond near the Front Entrance

Tea Varieties

Tranquil Balcony

Peaceful Autumn Scene at the back of Olinda Tea House

Colourful Toadstools - POISONOUS, DO NOT EAT!

Review - Miss Marple's Tea Room

16 January 2012

Miss Marple's Tea Room
382 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras
Cuisine: English

We had an overseas visitor so decided to make a trip to the Dandenong Mountains and to Miss Marple's Tea Room for lunch. Knowing that Miss Marple's attracts tourists on weekends and that it does not take bookings, we opted to go on a Monday. Surprisingly, it was busy. However, we only had to wait five minutes in the little sitting room before our table was ready.

We go to Miss Marple's for the ambience of an English cottage a la Laura Ashley and the Agatha Christie memorabilia. The staff wear traditional black English-style uniforms with aprons. The service was pleasant; all the waitresses who served us were smiling and friendly. The place is small and they try to fit in as many tables as possible, so when packed with diners, it is more cramped than cosy - difficult if you want to move around but comfortable once seated and you are able to have your own conversations without any intrusions from the surrounding tables. 

We ordered Cheese and Herb bread, two lots of Fish and Chips, Beef Cottage Pie, Chicken Cottage Pie and Quiche Lorraine. Drinks were milkshakes, Teapot of Taylors "Yorkshire Gold" tea and caffè latte. The Cheese and Herb bread was good so we ordered another serve. The fish was Blue Grenadier which I had a taste of and found to be a touch fishy, the batter was good without being too thick but the chips were fairly ordinary. However, the others enjoyed their fish and chip meals. My meal was the Beef Cottage Pie and for comparison, I tasted the Chicken Cottage Pie ordered by our visitor. I prefered the beef pie to the chicken pie as the beef pie had more taste, whereas I found the chicken pie ordinary and the meat a bit dry. However, our visitor prefered the chicken pie to the beef pie. I don't have to say that taste is a very subjective thing! The pie serves were small, especially considering they were mains. The Quiche Lorraine looked like a burnt mess next to the chips. It was not the usual look of creamy egg and bacon custard in a pastry crust. Miss Marple's version has the outside of the quiche so brown it looked burnt. The tea had a good medium strength with a nice flavour and aftertaste.

Overall, a nice place to take out of town or international visitors for the English-style environment.

Taste Rating: 6/10   Value Rating: 6/10

Cheese and Herb Bread

Cheese and Herb Bread

Fish and Chips



Fish and Chips

Beef Cottage Pie

Chicken Cottage Pie



Quiche Lorraine

Yorkshire Gold tea

Caffè Latte

Teapot Collection

Miss Marple's Tea Room - a quaint English cottage