The North Melbourne Hotel

The restaurant is centrally located on Victoria Street and conveniently has a public car park directly across the road that offers approx 40 metered car spots. Although after 6.30pm it is free. A tram stop offers public transport user options too. The restaurant itself has eclectic decor with low lighting. The menu is contemporary with a skew towards Italian. There is a daily special and you can order ahead special menu items such as Suckling pig or slow cooked goat. Service is friendly and pleasingly they match your groups needs in that there is no rush to get you out equally if you want quick service then they match that too. Both visits have been with groups and this has been easily accommodated. I appreciated for our group of 11 we were not forced into a set menu as it is with other restaurants. The booking is online and easy. The food itself was wonderful, whilst the menu is not too extensive it offers a good diversity. I like the fact too that the acoustics are good and we were not yelling to be heard or sitting on top of other tables.

Entering the restaurant I was impressed with the decor and the atmosphere and thought the food would also be as impressive. However I was disappointed to say the least. Entrees of calamari and prawns were ok, however seafood and vegetarian Paella was terrible - burnt on the bottom, no taste and hardly any seafood in it. Then came dessert- apple crumble and lemon meringue- again terrible. They should be ashamed to have served the quality of food they did. Of the 5 of us in the group, we were all disappointed. Needless to say won't be going there again.

A lovely lunchtime chat with my adult son. Sadly, the food didn't come up to scratch. Actually, initially the food didn't come at all, well half of it did! My course arrived a good 7 minutes before my son's. Naturally, I waited until his arrived by which time mine was cold. We ordered from their Special Lunchtime menu, I ordered roast chicken which arrived with a lot of sauce, some sliced cauliflower and a few beetroot leaves. It was quite messy to eat due to the amount of sauce. My son had a soft shell crab burger which was pretty standard and served with french fries. There was a pretty matter of fact apology concerning the food arriving late. We left unimpressed.

One of those old style hotels with a modern twist. Food was fantastic (especially the lamb) and it gets extra point for the car park. Very easy.

On a very busy Saturday night the floor staff kept up their smiles even though they were run off their feet. Lamb shank and a special of 1kg of mussels with fries were the standout hot dishes. Good sweets with the tiramisu getting the most praise. Good wine list. At a little over $300 for four it is reasonable value.