San Lorenzo via MENULOG

San Lorenzo

688 Mt Alexander Rd

Moonee Ponds 3039

Four and a half years ago I moved out of a house and into an apartment and not once in that time have I had take away food delivered.  Somehow it just seemed strange to get someone to come to the apartment building and buzz me from the foyer.  How that is different to coming to a house and ringing a door bell I don't know. There is no logic to this delivery phobia I developed.  It just was what it was!

So when Menulog contacted me with an offer to try out their website my first thought was I can't do that, I don't get food delivered!  But a few weeks later, after a busy week and with my nieces coming for a sleepover I changed my mind and I am glad I did. Now I know how easy it is to get takeaway delivered and my phobia is cured!  Hmm - maybe not such a good thing!

 

The Menulog website is very easy to use.  The girls and I entered my postcode and then scrolled down the extensive list of restaurants comparing cuisines before deciding we wanted italian. A lot of the restaurants offer discounts and this was clearly marked on the search page. After clicking on a few different options we decided on San Lorenzo.

The ordering process is easy and intuitive.  Within minutes we had placed our order and received a confirmation email and text message from Menulog confirming the order details.  The estimated delivery time was 40 minutes and the food was delivered in just under that time.  We also received a phone call from the restaurant because one of the items we had selected was unavailable on the night. We confirmed we were happy with the substitute. 

Now for the food! Everything we had was delicious.

The Calamari were divine and just melted in your mouth.

The Aranchi were crispy on the outside and nice and gooey on the inside.  Comfort food bliss! 

The Gnocchi Napoli was delicious. Soft, light pillows that also melted in your mouth.

san marzano tomato, fior di latte, fresh basil with a hint of olive oil

Margherita pizza.  Some would say a simple/plain choice but sometimes you just want plain and simple. This was a tasty, cheesy version of the classic.

We also ordered a garlic pizza and the item the girls were most excited about - Nutella pizza!

I'm not a big fan of nutella but it was good.

We all thought the food was lovely and wouldn't hesitate to order from (or visit) San Lorenzo again.  

I will definitely be using Menulog again now that I am over my delivery phobia.

Disclosure: Piecey Num Nums received a $40 voucher from Menulog for this meal. The remainder of the bill was paid independently.

Philhellene

Philhellene

551-553 Mt Alexander Rd
Moonee Ponds, 3039

I had been looking forward to eating at Philhellene for a long time.  I had heard good reviews about this Greek restaurant and really expected to love it, but unfortunately I was disappointed.  It's not that the food was bad.  Overall the food was fine but I felt it was just lacking that little extra.  That little something that makes you want to return again and again. 

The restaurant itself is lovely - cosy and with a warm ambience.  I loved the lights over the bar.  We were seated near an open fire and on this cold winter night it was toasty.  The staff were lovely, very efficient and attentive despite being very busy.

For entree we shared a Meze platter.  The zucchini flowers were definitely the highlight.  The ricotta pastries were lovely but the small sausages and marinated calamari were not very appetising and I really didn't enjoy their flavours. The dips were fine. 

Meze Platter for two

The accompanying pita bread was very nice, warm and crispy.












For mains we shared Baked, Stuffed Calamari and Chicken Souvlaki. I liked the chicken more than the calamari but it was quite plain and uninteresting.  The couscous and potato were tasty.  The calamari was from the specials board and was a bit rubbery and the flavours just didn't seem to work. Normally I love rice dishes but I didn't enjoy the accompanying rice.  The salad was fine.

We finished with coffee and Loukoumades.  A very generous serve, they were ok, nice and hot and sticky with honey, walnuts and cinnamon but a little bit doughy.  

Having read a few of the reviews on Urbanspoon it is obvious that Philhellene is a very popular restaurant.  If I do return I will definitely try the Moussaka which seems to be quite popular.