RAMBLE ON

RAMBLE ON.

1202 Burwood Hwy.
Upper Ferntree Gully

03 97587238

7 days

This little place is tucked away behind the Maxi Foods shopping centre and would be very easily overlooked if you were not a local. It does not have ambiance or any particular style but if you are after value, fresh food cooked to order and decent servings this is the place to stop. The selection on offer is vast with soup, wedges, sandwiches, felafel and hamburgers on offer to name a few choices. They also do a decent breakfast including ‘mucho’ which is even bigger than the big breakfast and has chips. The selection of cakes has certainly improved in the last 6 months. The carrot cake is super moist and delicious. The cappuccinos are definitely worth sampling and they do epic smoothies. The best thing is that this place is open 7 days a week and they have outside seating so that you can sit outside and watch the traffic if you desire. You do not come here for the view, you come for the food. Service on the weekends can leave a lot to be desired.

FOOD        5/5

SERVICE 3.5/5

COFFEE      4/5

SCONES

VALUE        5/5

TOTAL     17.5/20

REVISIT?  Yes definitely

GRANTS ON SHERBROOKE

GRANTS ON SHERBROOKE.

70 Monbulk Rd. 

Kallista

8.30 - 5pm

7 days

Phone : 97552888

If you are prepared to fight your way through the tourists this place makes one of the best coffees in the Dandenong Ranges. It can be very difficult to find a carpark at peak times which these days seems most of the time. Disappointingly this restaurant  now  requires you to order and pay at the counter which means that you have to queue for second cups of coffee...a real deterrent -but they have had people walking out without paying  so they had no choice.

If you get there early enough you will be served really delicious scones straight from the oven and if there is not enough cream or jam they will happily oblige with more. A feature in the cake display case are the prize winning Vanilla slices which are so large that you may need to share.

The home made soup, though a little pricey is always tasty and served with plenty of toasted bread. The tasting platter includes a selection of deep fried calamari, spring rolls, chicken etcetera surrounded by a mountain of fresh salad. Yum. The dip platter is best sampled when the chef has included his own creation otherwise it is a bit commercial and bland. The menu is not extensive but pleasantly varied with vegetarian and gluten free options.

It’s fun to sit out on the deck with your coffee, especially in the sunshine and watch the tourists feed the birds. Even with the new Parks regulations it is amazing how many native birds disobey the signs and perch outside the enclosure in clear view. You may even see a lyrebird or an echidna.

FOOD           4/5

SERVICE    3.5/5

COFFEE        5/5

SCONES        5/5

VALUE          4/5

TOTAL         21.5/25

REVISIT?  Definitely

EMERALD VILLAGE BAKERY AND CAFE

Emerald Village Bakery and Cafe,

8/9 Kilvington Dr. Emerald
Phone: 03 59684310

7 days

If you cannot find the cake you want here it probably does not exist. Huge lamingtons, cream cakes, beestings, continental slices and oh so delicious  individual fruit tarts or tarts to share. Emerald bakery is the best of the best. At weekends and weekday lunchtimes you will find people standing 3 deep right along the length of the counters so you may have to wait. Keep in mind that this is primarily a bakery and the cafe is secondary.Everything is home made and they have hot food like pizza and vol au vents as well as rolls and sandwiches and fruit salad and coffee. The pies are absolutely delectable with crisp buttery pastry and an amazing selection of fillings.

Eat inside or outside and watch the world wander by. Emerald still retains its village feel and the Emerald Bakery is the hub of the town. Sadly they do not take bookings so it is pot luck on whether or not you can get a table but with this amazing food it is just as good to go and eat it in the park and watch Puffing Billy go by.

FOOD       5/5

SERVICE   4/5

COFFEE     4/5

SCONES    

VALUE       4.5/5

TOTAL       17.5/20

REVISIT?   In a heartbeat!   

EARTHLY PLEASURES

Earthly Pleasures Cafe.

1627 Burwood Hwy., Belgrave.
Phone:97526744
9am - 5pm
(closed Mondays)

Heavenly, just heavenly and what a pleasure this place is. Located in the old Belgrave Manor of the 40’s the decor and ambiance are a delight. The open fire was lit the day we were there and the warm glow just added to the atmosphere. The menu is not enormous but it more than adequately caters for all tastes. We opted for the home made dips and they were absolutely delicious with home made hommus, piquant pumpkin and macadamia and a scoop of semidried tomato and chick pea. There was a little wait for the dips but when we realised that our flat bread was straight from the oven we were thrilled. It was marvellous and there was adequate bread for the dips. Finger licking good. The baked berry cheesecake was wonderful with real cream, organic of course. 

FOOD        4.5/5

SERVICE       4/5

COFFEE         4/5

SCONES     

VALUE           4/5

TOTAL      16.5/20

REVISIT?        Yes definitely

BENSON'S

Benson’s.

1710 Burwood Hwy.

Belgrave.

Phone: 03 97542726

8am – 9pm

This restaurant has had a few incarnations over the past years but this is the best yet and the owners have created an inviting atmosphere. The decor is pleasantly modern, understated yet chic browns and it was a pleasure to open the door and leave the blustery cold outside and enter its welcoming warmth. We were warmly greeted by pleasant staff who took our order and delivered the food with efficiency.  

The menu is quite extensive with breakfast until 1pm and lunch and tapas till 5pm. The chicken penne was perfectly cooked and the sauce flavoursome but not overpowering. A side salad with the most delicious balsamic accompanied the delightful wrap which was delicious. We were very pleasantly surprised with the excellent coffee. The menu says that you should tell them if the coffee does not reach a good standard but we did not have to.

The selection of cakes and biscuits here is extensive but the Devonshire tea was a big disappointment. The scone was so overheated in the microwave that we could hardly touch it which resulted in it being tough as was the berry muffin which ended up having an unpleasant burnt taste. It’s a pity because this marred what was otherwise a great experience. We would give them another go, perhaps even for dinner.

FOOD     4/5

SERVICE 4/5

COFFEE  4/5

SCONES  1/5

VALUE     4/5

REVISIT?  4/5

TOTAL     21/30

CAFE HAVE YA BEAN

   Food      …….3.5 /5

   Service  ……. 4/5

   Coffee   ……. 5/5

   Scones   …….

   Value     ........ 4/5

   Revisit? ……. 4/5

   TOTAL  20.5  /25

What a little gem!  It changed hands recently but this café sells some of the best coffee in the Dandenongs! Though it is small, only seven tables and a few window seats, it is worth the wait or braving the elements and sitting outside….but watch the wasps in the summer. Their breakfast menu is perfect for long lazy weekend breakfasts ( full or half serve) or if you are in a rush try the carrot cake. When the raspberry white choc muffins come out of the oven ….ahhhh what a delight! They also do foccacias, soup and other lunchtime treats. Definitely worth a second, and third visit.

This restaurant caters for gluten free, vegetarian and decaf, soy and herbal teas are available. Unfortunately the size of this café makes the use of wheelchairs or prams etc. difficult indoors.

 Does not take bookings and gets very busy particularly on Saturday mornings. Toilets are through the kitchen. 

KALLISTA TEAROOMS

KALLISTA TEAROOMS. KALLISTA.

103 Monbulk Rd.Kallista

Phone: 03 97552659

Hours 9 - 5

I love the Devonshire teas here. The cream is to die for, the scones are some of the best around and the jam has to be tasted to be believed. However, you would think that they had been in business long enough to have worked out how many diners they are expecting but no.....they keep running out! Not once, not twice but three times now we have been told that the soup is all finished and once it was barely 2 o’clock! They are so often out of crusty baguettes that I dare not ask for fear of disappointment and ordinary sandwiches are just not the same.

The specials board tells of tempting, tasting platters with roast veg and dips...so delicious. The soup when there is any left is served in huge bowls and is a hearty, wonderful meal in itself. If you are planning to have cake I would share a chicken and cheese baguette rather than fill up and miss out. The food is great but get in early.

There is plenty of parking down the back and they often feature local artist’s  work around the walls. This cafe is very family friendly and the eclectic mix of tables, chairs and lounges gives it a homely, quirky feel.