Stratus 233

LOCATION
On Union Road, close to the corner of Maribyrnong Road.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Enthusiasm and expertise add up to a very nice package in the form of Stratus 233. This restaurant has only been on the culinary map for a few months but has already garnered a dedicated clientele of locals who value well prepared, quality food, reasonable prices and a casual but professional dining atmosphere. The staff clearly enjoy what they do and are switched on, accommodating and dedicated to making your entire dining experience an enjoyable one. Most nights the place is buzzing with people enjoying a menu of fresh, Modern Australian dishes with an emphasis on Asian flavours.

Entrées are enticing enough to tempt you to order several in place of a main – try fresh oysters with wakame, wasabi roe and some fresh lime that adds to the tang of the sea; spicy salt and chilli-dusted quail with fresh green mango and watercress salad; or the earthy flavours of grilled eggplant and tofu with chilli sambal. The Balinese-style slow-roasted duck with wild rice, herb salad and pineapple pickle is hard to pass up for dinner, although the crispy skinned pork belly with wok tossed greens, ginger, soy and star anise also makes a strong case, as does pan-roasted barramundi with a hot and sour tamarind dressing and Asian slaw.

Desserts are light in texture but big on satisfaction. Coconut panna cotta with lime curd, or mango sorbet with lemongrass and ginger jelly both make a refreshingly fruity finish, while peanut butter and caramel parfait with white chocolate mousse and Persian fairy floss will satisfy the sweetest tooth. A new liquor license means there is now a small but decent wine list as well as some interesting cocktails, but a generous BYO policy means your own bottle is still more than welcome.

Angela Costanzo