Feel free to piss and moan about this, because God knows by tomorrow I’ll have changed my mind completely.
But, as the request has been made and I am titillated by the concept (and easily baited it would seem), here’s my current Top 10 (in no other order than that dictated by the random firing of synapses in what passes for my brain):
Paesano (Italian – West Hobart, 6234 2111). Good stuff: risotto, calzone, gourmet pizzas, cheap. Not so good stuff: size doesn’t make it an attractive dine-in option, but they do describe themselves as ‘specialising in take away’.
Steam Packet (“Modern Australian” – Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hunter St, 6210 7700). Good stuff: the food, the service, the wine list. Not so good stuff: a couple of teething issues, but getting there on the whole.
Novaro’s (Italian – Launceston, 6334 5589). Good stuff: it’s all good baby. Not so good stuff: nah, still can’t think of anything.
T42 (“Modern Australian” – Elizabeth St Pier, 6224 7742). Good stuff: view, staff, food, coffee, wine list. Not so good stuff: mostly just the evening bar clientele (T42’s a bit of a “scene”).
Sen’s (Asian/Yum Cha – North Hobart, 6236 9345). Good stuff: duck, wonton soup, yum cha, steamed bok choy, custard tarts, cheap. Not so good stuff: take away (unless ordered from the a la carte menu), wine list could be better.
Stillwater River Café (“Modern Australian” – Launceston, 6331 4153). Good stuff: don’t get me started, I’m dribbling already. Not so good stuff: Price, but it doesn’t have to be expensive (unless I’m there, then it’s Family Violence Act time for my wallet).
Siren’s (Vegetarian – Victoria St, Hobart, 6234 2634). Good stuff: vegetarian with imagination. Not so good stuff: Vegetarian Nazism (check the “rules” on the menu).
Satis (Bistro-style Café, not open for dinner – Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay, 6224 0551). Good stuff: the tea, the coffee, the teapots, the cakes and bickies, the bruschetta. Not so good stuff: it’s for sale.
“The Local”, Peppermint Bay (“Modern Australian” – Peppermint Bay, Woodbridge, 6267 4088). Good stuff: great day trip destination, view, venue, food’s good and not expensive, excellent wine list. Not so good stuff: tourists with loud voices/mobiles. I can’t comment on the main restaurant.
Mai Ake (Thai – North Hobart, 6231 5557). Good stuff: prawn cakes, bbq octopus, stuffed chicken wings, prawn choo chee, larp gai, basically cheap but good Thai. Not so good stuff: Has lost something since the move to bigger premises, but always a great meal.
If you’re on the list, don’t get cocky. By naming you guys up, you now risk being shot down in flames by a gaggle of people who think you suck. But I like you. Don’t stuff it up.
Asides
Kafe Kara (Bistro/Café, Hobart). Now open for dinner Fridays.
onetwelve (‘occasional venue’). Hobart’s legal answer to a speak-easy. Cheap drinks, good music, good community events. Watch out for gigs by The John Wayne Instruction Manual (classic funk) and the occasional jazz gig. But you need to be in the know. Go to www.onetwelve.blogspot.com to get yourself on the mailing list.
Bush Inn (Counter Meals, New Norfolk). Nice view, typical pub fare. Australia’s oldest or longest running or some other bloody “old” status pub. Nellie Melba stayed and performed there. I reckon it’s haunted.
Magic Curries (Indian, Battery Point). Good curries, bad name.
Missing in Action:
These are places that I don’t feel qualified to comment on (yet), despite excellent reputations, because I’ve never been or I haven’t been for ages or I was so incredibly pissed when I did go. But keep your eyes and ears (and taste buds) peeled: Lickerish (Modern Australian, North Hobart), Red Velvet Lounge (Café – Cygnet), Mitsuno (Japanese – Sandy Bay), Franklin Manor (“Modern Australian”? – Strahan), Calstock (French – Deloraine), Criterion Café (Criterion St, Hobart).
And that’s your blooming lot (now you know what happened to Peter Cundall after the fall).
Happy dining!
GW 🙂
PS: For updates on Steam Packet and Lickerish, see the site
First published, 22 February 2005 on: The Hobart Restaurant Bitch
nudger jones
April 6, 2005 at 09:29
I had dinner at Rain Check the other night. Very decent fish soup. Coconutty chicken also good.
Unlicensed and the corkage charge came as a bit of a shock, having had to wear out my own shoe leather going to the Queen’s Head.
Service very accommodating.
Nothing has ever replaced the Old Mures in Battery Point, though. Now there was a place ahead of its time.
Rick Pilkington
April 6, 2005 at 16:39
If you live in Gunnsceston, or just happen to be up this way and want to eat nice food, for not much, whislt looking at the pretty tamar check out Koukla’s BYO cafe in Gravelly Beach. Charming, with loads of potential me thinks.
agatha_artichoke
April 8, 2005 at 03:47
Aggy begs to differ
Best fish and chips in Hobart is at the Fish Bar at Bellerive.
Sen’s at North Hobart has har gau which are second to none (and this is after a flyinig visit to Sydney to the majestic Marigold in the Haymarket).
Kelley’s Restaurant (in the old Mure’s building in Battery Point) has people raving about it in Sydney – the accidental occy, the trevalla, the service, the people – it is all just great.
The development near the art school looks great – but how can they justify charging $10 a glass for a wine (when you can buy the bottle at the bottleshop for $7 on special?).
Orizuru has the best sushi and sashimi in Hobart.
The specials at Sisco’s made my Sydney friends weep – they couldn’t believe how smashing it was.
And that is just a few of the gems we have here in Hobart.
aggy
gail
November 22, 2005 at 03:44
Please check out the Customs House Waterfront Hotel Hobart, All new menu, people are raving that its the best pub fare in Hobart, let’s see what you recon!!