We celebrated our wedding anniversary this past weekend and while places like Attica and Brae are still on my fine dining wishlist, Mr Rosanna actually chose somewhere local for us to celebrate this time around.
He took me to Mercers Restaurant in Eltham, which has been there for what seems like forever, and a place we nearly collaborated with when I was the publicist for the Light Factory Gallery for a Melbourne Food and Wine Festival food/art event that unfortunately never got off the ground.
Mercers is housed in an old weatherboard cottage and has a timeless, if not trendy, feel about it. The food was excellent. There is a degustation menu and you can choose from a two course or three course set menu – with two courses being the minimum if you eat there.
Mr R opted for the smoked salmon while I had the pea soup with prawns. For mains, Mr R went the Middle Eastern-style slow cooked lamb shoulder while I had the barramundi fillet with scallops and mushrooms. Although we barely had room, we also shared a dessert plate for two which was probably the only hit and miss – the lemon meringue and chocolate souffle were the picks of the bunch. Having said that, the entrees and mains were something really special, beautifully presented and delicious and on par with anything I’ve eaten at fine dining establishments in the city. There were lots of what looked like well heeled Eltham locals eating and the service, warm and attentive. I can see why it’s so popular with nearby residents.
We stopped in briefly at the Brougham Street Bazaar right next to the former Light Factory Gallery (and now Second Home Eltham cafe) on Brougham Street, which is always delightful. I found a vintage bamboo tea caddy which is now holding my jasmine and oo long teas at home. I hope you too had a wonderful weekend.
Miss Rosanna 