Ten Years of Taste Local restaurateur Cameron Taylor has been delighting the taste buds of the Mt Eliza faithful for over a decade.
As a fully qualified chef he worked in a variety of hospitality venues before opening his first business The Grainery in Somerville - at just 20 years of age.
Incorporating both an on-site caf and off site catering service, the business was popular with locals and many customers who followed his cooking to Mt Eliza are still valued customers today.
Cameron s first venture in Mt Eliza was the re-launching of the old Mt Eliza Pizza and Pasta in 1998.
After a total refurbishment Conrad s Alfresco opened its doors offering pizza, pasta and a-la-carte food for home delivery or restaurant dining.
Conrad s was a big hit with the locals, the only problem was that the restaurant was too small.
Cameron was keen to expand his business to cater to the demands of the Mt Eliza people for good quality, value for money dining in their village.
So when the old Taps restaurant became available Cameron was keen to take on the challenge and make this twice failed restaurant a success.
Opening Bistro Verde in September 2003, Cameron wanted to establish a local haunt where the regulars would feel like part of the family, a place they could have a quick lunch on the run, feed the kids for an early dinner or bring a partner for a special celebration.
Locals quickly embraced the variety of food on offer along with the massive specials board, and the restaurant is busier now than ever.
Following a growing demand from locals for a separate wine bar where they could have a casual wine or cocktail with friends, Cameron set about creating Verde Bar, a separate lounge bar space adjacent to the restaurant.
Offering local and imported wine, specialty beer on tap and our new cocktails, the space also provides a function area which can be hired out exclusively with food packages starting at just 15ph Verde Restaurant Bar is open 7 days for lunch, dinner and drinks.
Bookings advised 9787 0200.
2010 - Winner Regional Award of Excellence for Asian Cuisine 2009 - Winner Regional Award of Excellence for Asian Cuisine 2009 - Winner Victorian Award of Excellence for Indian Cuisine Tulsi Indian Restaurant 74 Station Street, Somerville 3912 Tel 03 5977 6733 Email info tulsi.com.au www.tulsi.com.au A Cornishwoman Cooking Great Greek Food in Australia The GoodLife spoke with Jane Tilley at Noel's Gallery Restaurant in Main Ridge.
How did your childhood upbringing inspire your cooking I grew up in the depths of the lush Cornish countryside with pheasants strolling through the garden and regular appearances by my Uncle with a brace of pigeons or partridges over his arm from his latest ramble through the nearby woods.
We had goats for milk, chickens, ducks, rabbits and always the amazing vegetables that poured out of my Grandfather s garden.
Every square inch of spare land was used to produce something edible.
I picked wild strawberries from the hedgerows on my way home from school, we scoured the seashore for cockles and periwinkles my job was to pick them out of their steaming shells with a pin or we potted salmon caught by my Dad.
I stood at my Nanna s elbow while she made the most amazing clotted cream, delicious bread, jams, pickles and cakes and the ubiquitous Cornish pasty, stretching from one side of the plate to the other, filling the house with the fabulous aroma of baking pastry and the delicate ingredients within.
Why is food the perfect medium to explore different cultures and bring people together I love the look of puzzlement on the faces of my restaurant patrons as they try and link a Cornishwoman cooking Greek food in Australia I guess that s what it s all about.
My love affair with Greek food began when my mother who lived there in the 80 s, brought back recipes and dishes from her experiences living in tiny stone villages, where she grew and bartered local produce.
Buying a Greek restaurant always helps but I have continued with Greek food at Noel s Gallery because I love its simplicity and the honest approach to retaining the freshness and flavours of the stunning produce at hand.
The shared menu concept epitomises the ethos of bringing people together and people of every nationality, their families and friends sit down to food that can be shared and enjoyed.
They are in my dining room and they are like my extended family.
I love cooking for them What is your favourite dish Well since I started making Cornish Pasties on Friday nights, again to the puzzlement of our regular Greek food lovers to whom I say...well I am Cornish and this is my restaurant so I guess I can do what I like I would have to say the pasty is on top of my hit parade.
Making them weekly means I can eat them more regularly.
One bite and I am transported straight back to my childhood and everything that was good.
OPENING HOURS Lunch 5 days 12 - 2.30 Morning Afternoon Tea 10.30 - 4 Dinner Friday Saturday 6.30 til late Closed Monday TuesdayBookings RecommendedThe Briars Historic Park Nepean Hwy, Mt Martha ph.
5974 1104 Varied Menu Light LunchesWeddings Functions 62 good life, february -march, april 2011