Ice Cafe Bar

LOCATION
Part of the Prahran Central building in the block behind the Chapel Street and Commercial Road intersection.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Admittedly Ice’s location, next to a supermarket car park with the fine view of a gym, is an unprepossessing one for a restaurant, but this place has charms enough to entice those prepared to take a few extra steps. The owners have always strived to keep Ice an interesting alternative and their recent foray into dinner service is a resounding success with Michael Harrison at the helm. Michael has passed the kitchen onto capable hands – Norman Bellis (of Brisbane’s Anise restaurant) and Joshua Levi (formerly of Longrain and the Argo Hotel). New decor has also updated Ice’s look, with a pressed-tin bar, moody, low-slung wicker lampshades and elegant feature wallpaper giving it a minimalistic edge and taking it seamlessly from day to night.

Breakfasts are still a big attraction here, with the usual suspects as well as more unusual options like a prawn omelette Vietnamese style (with green masala paste, Asian herbs, shallots, bean shoots and oyster sauce) being catered for. Despite some changes the dinner menu remains committed to offering fresh, quality ingredients and sharp looking dishes. Start out with one of the share plates such as the deliciously light and crispy chicken and prawn spring rolls with pineapple sweet chilli or the duck parfait with anise pear chutney and cornichons. Mains continue in the same no-nonsense, well-executed vein. The Black Angus burger is cooked to perfection and served with bacon, caramelised onion and a moreish tomato chutney, while the Asian style pork hock salad is equally well balanced, with the heaviness of the crispy, fatty pork offset by herbs, green mango and cucumber. This is simple, classic bistro food; appetising, fresh and reasonably priced.

Angela Costanzo