Polēpolē Kitchen - Melbourne

I often visit this vast when in Melb . 8 it had lovely atmosphere, good happy hour specials and I just enjoy the service, wibe, atmosphere... I haven't eaten he... read more I often visit this vast when in Melb . 8 it had lovely atmosphere, good happy hour specials and I just enjoy the service, wibe, atmosphere... I haven't eaten here yet but am curious?!

In a city of unique bars (to an extent that is), this once certainly stands out namely because it specialises in African craft beer. read more In a city of unique bars (to an extent that is), this once certainly stands out namely because it specialises in African craft beer.

What a great spot to catch up over dinner and drinks with friends! Food is a good variety and there is also an assortment of African style read more What a great spot to catch up over dinner and drinks with friends! Food is a good variety and there is also an assortment of African style

A fun, city Bar showcasing African inspired grazing plates, cocktails and motifs. The only African dish that I am familiar with is the Injera a sponge like wrap... read more A fun, city Bar showcasing African inspired grazing plates, cocktails and motifs. The only African dish that I am familiar with is the Injera a sponge like wrap. I had something similar at a Ethiopian restaurant. By itself, it is a bit tart. But if you roll pieces of the injera with the meat dishes, with some of the spiced oil, the whole combination sings. Several standout dish the lamb ribs char, melt in the mouth, spiced chilli heat. The pumpkin pastillas with that bright green pebre (fresh, chilli heat) sauce is a winning combination.

I usually avoid posting about places I didn’t enjoy, especially considering the impact of COVID-19 on the dining industry. However, my experience at Pole Pole w... read more I usually avoid posting about places I didn’t enjoy, especially considering the impact of COVID-19 on the dining industry. However, my experience at Pole Pole was disappointing, particularly given their recent glowing reviews. I’ll try to be objective in my feedback. Upon entering the restaurant, I was struck by the unique, exotic atmosphere. The beautiful glamping tents adorned with fairy lights, bartenders expertly crafting cocktails, and the upbeat music created an inviting vibe. Unfortunately, things went south when they mistakenly gave our reservation to someone else. We had made the booking online, which clearly outlined the minimum spend per person, time limitations, and booking guarantee charges. While this mix-up was frustrating, the staff apologized, so it wasn’t a total deal-breaker. The menu featured a tempting selection of exotic dishes, raising our expectations. We chose five items: Sliced Ostrich ($15), Kenyan Fried Chicken Ribs ($16), Cape Malay Goat Tacos ($16), Roast Pumpkin ($15), and Injera ($6), along with two bottles of African beer (around $12 each). To start, the beers were fantastic and easily some of the best I've ever had. However, the food fell flat, looking and tasting nothing like the enticing photos on Google and Zomato. The roasted pumpkin spring rolls ($15) tasted like they were frozen, the six pieces of Kenyan chicken ribs ($16) resembled average chicken wings, and the eight slices of cold ostrich ($15) left us wanting more. The prices seemed unjustifiable for what we received. Being unfamiliar with African cuisine, we had hoped for attentive and knowledgeable staff. Regrettably, many seemed uninformed and frequently hurried back to the kitchen to ask about the dishes. While the service was quick, it lacked warmth; plates were placed on our table with little communication—imagine an auntie with a "who cares" attitude at a local Chinese restaurant! To make matters worse, some staff couldn’t even pronounce the menu items correctly, yet still had the nerve to ask for tips afterward, which only elicited a bitter laugh from me. However, I must commend the restaurant’s ambiance and decorations, which were truly lovely. If I were to return, it would likely just be for a bottle of their African beer!