David's

Introduction: A well established exponent of Shanghaiese cuisine at 4 Cecil Place Prahran Ph. 95295199

Ambience: A cut above the average shopfront Chinese restaurant Some unusual antique Chinese decor.
Service; A little forgetful about small things like a request for a knife and fork or for water but obviously trying hard to please
Food: Rather different from 'the usual' and very much to my taste. We started with the Salty spiced deep fried whitebait which were quite good followed by Shanghai pork dumplings. Tasty but did not retain the meat juices in the dumpling case. The crisp battered deep fried coral trout was delicious and contrasted well with the delicate and very excellent scallops with bok choy in ginger sauce. all srves were good size including the fried rice.
Wine: Fully licenced A modest but reasonable list
Price: Around $75 for two courses for two
Comments: The extensive menu is worth a lot more exploration and I look forward to it in the near future
Score: 15/20

Milan@Kew

Introduction: This small restaurant at 44 Cotham Rd Kew has received a heap of commendations including a hat from the Age Good Food Guide about half a dozen times since 1992
Ambience: Distinctly Indian restaurant atmosphere (no it does not smell of curry), with standard paper covered linen cloths and serviettes. Unpretentious
Service: On this occassion the restaurant was full and the service rather sluggish.
Food: Definitely the best thingt about the place.
The spicy vegetable Samosa were large and tasty and accompanied by a Mint sauce dip and a sweet Tamarind chutney, the Tandoori roasted Seekh Kebab was also tasty but rather hard. The Chicken Tikka was really excellent and the Chicken Mahani tender and bathed in a superb rich red creamy sauce. Equally excellent were the Bengali Prawns Malai and the Korma vegetable combo also in a cream sauce with an accopaniment of Basmati Saffron rice and garlic Nan bread.
The Goan style lamb Vindaloo, a dish that originated in Malaysia and now seems classical Indian, was hot and spicy without being overpowering.
The Pistachio and almond Kulfi was better than most and the Rose and cardamon scented Gulab Jamun absolutely tops!
They make a reasonable mango lasse but the strawberry lasse is too sweet for my taste
Wine: Fully licenced or BYO wine
Price: Inexpensive Mains $15 - $22
Comments: The new management has lured back prize winning chef Laddan Khan. I expect Milan, which means 'meeting place' to return to its former glory. Having tried quite a range of their menu I am happy to recommend it to anyone who wants a fine Indian dinner
Score: 14.75 /20 (getting a bit precise here!)

Kantipur

Introduction: Indian - Nepalese cuisine at 109 Hawthorn Rd Caulfield Nth Ph 9528 4388. They have Takeaway or home delivery ($4) Open Lunch Wed to Fri Dinner Tues to Sun from 5.00pm
Ambience : A rather bare room crowded with tables able to seat 32 when full. A few pictures and artefacts around the walls. Zero atmosphere


Service: Friendly, quite adequate
Food : Unexpectadly pleasing.
Tandoori mushroom , three fresh field mushrooms marinated in an 'exotic yoghurt' cooked in a tandoori oven and served with a mouthful of green salad was very good but lousy value at $7.50. The meat Mo Mo, a Kathmandu specialty, is a dumpling mixed with ginger, garlic, coriander, cottage cheese herbs and spices was remarkably bland and a little hard. Quite nice all the same.
Both the sauces for Chicken Korma and the Himalaya Yak and Yeti, tender lamb cubes in a cream sauce with sultanas, fruit and cashew nuts were extremely similar. the couple of bits of dried fruit making very little difference. Nevertheless both dishes were extremely tasty, the meat tenderand the sauces delicate.

I doubt that the mango kulfi was made in the traditional way as it was too smooth and had the taste of Carnation condensed milk but it was a pleasant enough ice cream
The mango lassie was super.
Wine: Licenced for BYO wine ($2 corkage) the have a small wine list
Price: Inexpensive We spent $65 for a reasonable but not large meal.
Comments: If not for 'Nepalese' in the flier in my letter box I would not have gone near this place. Don't be deceived by the appearances - the food is good
Score: 14/20