Kara Monssen reviews a value-for-money modern Australian restaurant in Queenscliff
Click PLAY to hear Kara’s full review on 3AW Breakfast
In this cost of living crunch, we’re all hungry for value for money eats.
At Tarra, Queencliff’s hidden coastal gem, you’ll get more than what you pay for.
Executive chef Michael Demagistris (MasterChef alumni, Noma in Copenhagen) is uniting both sides of the ‘ninch, bringing a taste of Mornington to the Bellarine with his elevated yet approachable mod-Australian eats.
Disclaimer. This is not fine dining. There are no tweezers, foam or fuss. Demagistris refuses to have his cooking defined by the term, though with his level of execution and skill, those menu prices should be illegal.
Expect $10 glasses of wine (and bottles from $40- from both Mornington and Bellarine), mains hovering around 30 big-ones and the “pub-fecta” of menu items: fish and chips, salt and pepper calamari and chicken schnitty. Winner winner.
Maybe you’ll start with the kangaroo tartare tartlets, little sail boats of Skippy meat tumbled in miso mayo and horseradish, winking with fried saltbush.
Or sui mai, Chinese pork and fermented cabbage dumplings, bobbing in black vinegar bone broth so delicious I slurped from the bowl clean.
The crowd-pleasing baked scallops were also hard to pass up.
Slicked in bonito butter and a fermented chilli oil, it’s not face melting hot but warms the soul from within.
If that’s still too high-brow, fear not.
Butter soft pork belly, minus the crackle, comes glazed in a sticky char siu sauce with a snappy perfectly seasoned green apple, watercress and witlof salad alongside.
And don’t forget your faithful pub trio.
Unlike some city restaurants, you won’t be hit with the snack tax. Forget paying $10 for a lone arancini, here you get bulk for your buck.
Three dumplings for $18, three scallops for $22 and the best find: two caramelised white chocolate dunked mini-ice-cream magnums for $15.
Talk about great value.
For now, Tarra is only open for lunch, daily, with a monthly dinner series fast gaining momentum.
Sorry Queenscliff – the secret’s out.
Tarra
1 Wharf St E
Queenscliff