Mu Lan Restaurant, not your ordinary Chinese cuisine




Situated in North Hobart in the old Jacobson's Butchery is the very modern Mu Lan restaurant with a unique and traditional take on Chinese cuisine.

The restaurant has modern decor with a very uncluttered feel. Clean and cosy with a large upstairs dining area, packed full on this particular Saturday night.Staff were friendly, well presented and spoke English well and were fairly attentive on this busy evening, although we did have to request drinks twice.

Now for the food!!A wide range of mains were available, with chicken, lamb, beef, seafood, duck and vegetarian all on offer. Mains ranged from $22 to $34, although vegetarian were much cheaper $12 to $18.

We went for the traditional chicken and corn soup ($8) as this is something we both enjoy and love to compare at all Chinese restaurants, this one matched up to be one of the top ones

Entrees ranged from $8 to $18, with vegetarian options, dumplings were also on offer, but don't expect any prawn crackers or dim sims here.

Our choice for the night was the honey chicken $22 and the Yu Xiang pork $24, with fried rice $12. The honey chicken was exactly that, with the exception of the usual excessive batter, this was tossed in corn flour then fried, covered in sesame seeds and an unusual added ingredient, walnuts! To be honest there was really nothing special about it, although the chicken was delightfully tender. The pork was superb with amazing flavors that made you keep eating more. The fried rice was good with large pieces of perfectly cooked bacon, and large prawn pieces, on the down side it did contain a piece of wire from a pot scourer which completely ruined the dish.

Everything was well presented in modern serving plates and bowls with the traditional chop sticks.  Deserts ranged from $6 to $9 and included some favorites such as deep fried ice cream and banana fritter. the home made green tea ice cream would be a refreshing way to finish.

A good selection of wines by the glass were available, with the sparkling only $5, beer however was a bit dearer than the average restaurant at $8 a stubbie for most.

Altogether a good dining experience but due to the pot scourer piece that wasn't ordered I can only give Mu Lan a 3 out of 5 instead of a 4. well worth a visit and recommended for a pleasant night out for dinner.

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner at 343 Elizabeth street North Hobart, phone 62 313609

Mai Ake Thai a Flavoursome Experience

This little Thai place has been here in North Hobart for a long time, but you often pass it by without noticing it, I decided to give it a go and was so glad I did as it was a surprise and a delight to dine there.

The whole menu is authentic Thai cooking at its best, its not a huge menu but the best and most popular dishes have been picked out and there is a large specials menu as well.

this is not a cheap experience however, expect to pay around the $15 mark for entree and up to $30 for mains, but most are around $24.

Nearly all dishes are available with the option of having them with pork, chicken, beef, squid or prawns.

We had the Thai fish cakes for entree, they were really unusual, light and fluffy with the texture similar to that of a souffle.

Mains were sorted into curry dishes, stir fry, salads,  rice and noodles as well as the chefs recommendations. To get a good taste why not do as we did and share your mains, Sweet and sour chicken was Divine with the three elements of Thai cooking balanced superbly, sweet, sour and salty. The duck in red curry  was one of those dishes you cant stop eating, extremely tasty sauce with tender pieces of duck, vegetables and also lychee's which really topped it off.

Desserts are really not a Thai thing but a few choices were available like banana in coconut milk and Thai custard.

Wine list was good with  a selection available by the glass, spirits, beers and imported beer, but not the traditional Singha beer.

Service was good, staff were all Thai and very sweet and friendly people, the kitchen was in view of diners which made for a good atmosphere, especially when the wok flew flames high in the air displaying the fine talent of the head chef.

If you like Thai cooking definitely give this a go, take away is available and even home delivery to closely surrounding suburbs. 41/2 out of 5 from me.

Swansea's Bark Mill Tavern.

It's a long way to travel, but if you like a Sunday drive or are in the area it's an excellent place to stop for a drink, wood fired pizza, meal, or visit to the on site bakery. A look through the history of the Bark mill might also be of interest.

We actually called in for a drink, which turned into.... um..oh I'm not sure and decided to book in for dinner and stay the night. So glad we did too because we really did have fun!

Drinks, hot and cold always available, wine list good, selection of beers good ,cocktails woo hoo yes!

There are two wood heaters burning away nicely, outside there is gas heating for smokers or  out door diners, in the warmer weather of course. This makes the atmosphere warm and cheery and if you get a seat at a table right next to the fire,like I did, you just don't want to leave, as I did.

Menu is really good, with Great Oyster Bay oysters  available natural or kilpatrick $23 a dozen, just lovely with a glass of house Chardonnay. Soup of the day is always on, bruschetta and creamy garlic prawn hot pot also sound good on the entrees menu.

Mains has a good variety of seafood, steaks, salads and a delicious sounding chicken breast pocketed with pumpkin, feta and cashew nuts. I had the prawn and scallop basket with french fries and and lime and cracked pepper aioli. One thing i would say was the salad served with mains was really boring, undressed and consisted of lettuce leaf mix with a few slivers of carrot.

The wood fired pizzas were amazing with a good amount of topping. A good choice of varieties from tropical , vegetarian, seafood , meat lovers and some of there own creations such as the Bark mill special with olives, mushrooms, ham, salami and roasted capsicum. prices range from $15 to $20.

Desserts were as per daily specials boared, which also included whole flounder, children's menu available at $9.

The place was packed with diners and drinkers which showed it has a good following, I think its a really good place to relax and unwind and enjoy your time. I give it 4 out of 5 and recommend you pay them a visit, but you must book, people were being knocked back left right and centre.

Riverfront Restaurant and Bar a Hidden Gem

You wouldn't think that a motel in Berridale would have such a lovely restaurant, but after I discovered it we keep going back and are highly recommending it to friends.

The tables actually have table clothes on them, this to me is really impressive as i hate the butchers paper table cover and a bare wooden sometimes sticky table.

The menu is diverse and has there own home grown beef of Hereford Friesian cross cattle that graze peacefully in green pastures over looking the Tasman National Park. There is a good variety of seafood and chicken and choice of special schnitzels.

The prawn cocktail is a good old favourite at $12.50 and Tasmanian oysters are available for $24.50 a dozen or $13.50 for half.

Naturally there is an excellent choice in the beef menu from steaks to kebabs to beef shanks. The Captains Catch is my personal favourite with some well cooked prawns, scallops, calamari and pieces of Blue Eye $26.50. Steaks are available with seafood atop in a garlic cream sauce and so is the grilled chicken breast $24.50. The River burger is on the lighter options suggestions but its a mighty big  beef patty with the lot as well as chips and salad $14.50.

Children's menu is available $7.50 - $8.50. Desserts also at that price including sticky date pudding, rocky road sundae and a berry pavlova mousse.

The wine list is good, a great variety of local Tassie wines by the bottle. plenty of choices by the glass also and some old favourites on the cocktail menu.

This is a popular spot for dining for both young and old, big groups, families and functions so be sure to book. I love a big menu with a variety of everything on it and this place has it, its always well presented with friendly helpful staff. 4 1/2  out of 5 from me. If theres every anything wrong with your meal ask and the problem is always dealt with in a friendly manner, but that's never happened to me the only thing i ever have to ask for is some more of the divine homemade tartare sauce. Give it a go!

Cooley's, Just too Cool

This recently refurbished pub in the main road of Moonah has long been a favourite for many, but sometimes a refurbishment and a change of style and menu can be something best left undone. Sure changes to the menu and specials are good but in this case I would say the drastic changes ruined it.

The staff where so prompt the menu hadn't even been opened when asked were we ready to order. I like to study a menu as every good reviewer does. The entrees were suggested to be of a tapas style, most around $12.50, with things like spicy chicken wings, lamb kebabs, dips and bread, babaganoush with crispies ( not sure what crispies are) I could have happily shared one and left as the main menu left us some what dumb founded.

Expect to find nothing under $20 in the mains and a very small menu choice as well as as a small meal, chicken schnitzel, porterhouse steak, Flathead fillets, scallops, seafood bouillabaisse and that's about it for the menu. I had the scallops $26 and my partner the schnitzel $24, both served with "fat chips" which were simply the usual steakhouse fries. Mine came with a Japanese coleslaw, which was a small pile of messy looking cabbage and thick peeled carrot. The scallops were panko crumbed and quite nice, served with a wasabi aoli which was far to over whelming for the gentle taste of a scallop, i thus asked for tartare, didn't have it so it was citrus aoli which was a much better accompaniment. The chicken schnitzel was just that and nothing wrong with it and no comment to make.

Desserts were all $9 with pana cotta looking to be the most interesting, the table next to me was probably the high light of the experience with a man totally confused as what to have and wanting to leave, his wife wanting everything that wasn't available, even down to ice cream sundae for dessert, ' sorry no topping, sorry no nuts' what did they have? not very much. For a large man the scallops where gone in less than 5 minutes while his wife tried desperately to cut and chew her steak.

Scotch fillets were sent back looking very bloody, staff messed up an order and proceeded to have an argument about it in close range of my flapping ears. Jazz music played furiously in the back ground and what with staff rushing to and fro to fix problems and take drink orders it was all too much. Maybe it will improve with time, but the pricing for a small scotch fillet served with nothing I could see was $33, not really pub prices any more. I wont be going back or recommending it, 2 out of 5 stars, the last star being added with a push, because they really where trying to create something new out of this old pub.

Ball and Chain Definetly not a Drag

This is one amazing place, with incredible cooks working the grill, have a look how many steaks they cook at once, and somehow they they get them all right. This is a restaurant I go back again and again and it never fails to please.

Its not just steaks either, in fact Iv never had one there! Entee's are all seafood bar the pate, the oysters are superb, fresh, plump and succulent, $25 a dozen or $14.50 for half.

Mains are a variety of steak cuts in different sizes from rump to eye fillet, theres a price and cut to suit everyone. My absolute favourite is the quail, served with a plum and ginger sauce, cooked tender and boned for easy eating $25 for two or you can just have one $14. Duck is also on the menu again in the plum sauce. Seafood options available as well as vegetarian.

Then theres the magnificent salad bar, which comes free with all mains or an extra $10 with an entree. Its topped up very regularly and has a variety of salads, dressings and lovely baby honey carrots, usually a rice or pasta dish and a vegetable medley. Lovely plump green and black olives are there for the taking and I particular enjoy the hokien noodle salad.

Iv never had a dessert there but naturally they are available, sticky date pudding and sorbets, the wine list is amazing and contains a massive variety, by the glass or bottle, there are wines from all over the world and some at some very extravagant prices.

I simply have to award a 5 out of 5 to this amazing venue, the staff are prompt and even with a large group I have never seen a wrong steak brought to the table. Pricing is reasonable for the water front area of Salamanca, the atmosphere is great, the place is clean and organised down to a fine art. A dining experience that must be had.

Shanghai Surprise.

Hidden in the valley of love, main street New Norfolk is the Divine Shanghai Chinese restaurant. Its cheap its cosy and the food is really good. You can also BYO beer, wine or pre mixed, making even more of a saving.

The menu is huge, if you cant find it on the menu just ask and mostly it can be cooked for you. There is even a banquet for 2 at $26 and another for $28. Banquets for 4 or more are also available. This gives you a good variety of soup, entree, main and dessert.

I really judge a Chinese restaurant on their ability to make a broth for the soups, usually the same broth is used for all soups, with the extras added in later. The chicken and corn soup is Divine, tasty, plenty of chicken and the lovely egg running through.

Entrees are nice little nibbles of your favourites like, prawn crackers, spring rolls,dim Sims, prawn cutlets etc, most looking home made and tasting authentic.

Mains are reasonably priced with not alot over $20, even for prawn and scallop dishes. Cantonese, sweet and sour, combinations, all freshly prepared with quality produce, duck is even on the menu. The sweet and sour combination is delightful, with a good mix of beef, pork, ham, chicken and prawns. The fried rice includes chicken, shrimp, ham and char shew in it and is very tasty. If your going to share dishes let them know and you will get the extra plates needed. If you intend to try a few dishes, have the sweet and sour last as the sweetness can make other dishes seem very bland in comparison.

If you have room for dessert, try the deep fried ice cream, a coconut crumbed batter covering a vanilla ice cream ball with macadamia nuts inside. Very refreshing after a good pig out on all the wonderful tastes on offer.

Open for lunch or dinner, even Sunday nights, lunch time has a special half price menu that is exceptionaly good value and the quality and quantity is the same.

Its not a fancy restaurant, with no exceptional decor, but it is clean, the staff friendly and helpful and service is quick. I really have to give this 4 out of 5 because i keep going back, the distance doesn't put me off, and I even think about the food when I'm hungry. A most enjoyable yet simple experience.