Forte Eats: Spotlight on regional food part. 1
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Forte Eats: Spotlight on regional food part. 1

[Main Image] Ambrosia on Pako 

Cementing itself as one of Pakington’s elite eateries, Ambrosia on Pako is still producing the goods when it comes to authentic and delicious Greek and Mediterranean food.
Whilst this rustic space is the ideal setting for a feast and catching up with friends and family, now you can experience this cuisine all from the comfort of your own home or office! With an amazing takeaway menu that has their famous Gyros – shout out to the crumbed eggplant with haloumi, tzatziki, lettuce, tomato and onion and the beef with tomato relish, maasdam cheese, cornichons, mustard aioli and salads. They also have a $10 lunch box perfect for breaking up your working day: choose from a pizza, risotto, toastie or soup and have your lunch sorted. They’ve got coffee, cocktails and more to go with your yummy meal – this will fast become a firm favorite!
Website: www.ambrosiaonpako.com | facebook/ambrosiaonpako
Where: 208 Pakington St, Geelong West
Phone: 03 5229 2725

Burgerinc. 

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With 10 years experience flipping patties and putting together delicious burgers, Burgerinc has proved itself to be one of the main contenders in the Geelong burger scene. Located at the river end of Pakington Street, Burgerinc has what seems like an endless menu, with beef, chicken and vegetable options as well as alterations available for each selection. It’s also the only place in Geelong to be using Japanese milk buns for the burgers, and paired with fresh local produce, you’ve got yourself one delicious gourmet burger. There’s also a new app to speed up the process of placing your order, though chances are it won’t help you pick from the massive selection on offer.

When: Mon-Wed 11.30am-8.30pm; Thu-Sat 11.30am-9pm; Sun 11.30am-8.30pm
Where: 1/328 Pakington St, Geelong
Ph: (03) 5222 7776
Site: www.burgerinc.com

Café NaranaCafe Narana - Indigenous Tasting Plate

There’s a lot to love about Café Narana; it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of town, you’re surrounded by culture and creativity and the food is made with love and careful attention to each ingredient. There are few cafes to put such an emphasis on Indigenous ingredients quite like Narana do. And thanks to growing some of their own herbs on site (while sourcing what else they need from Special Effects Nursery in Colac) they’ve been able to fuse together modern dishes with meaningful elements. Such ingredients to find their way into the menu are; the finger lime, kangaroo meat, lemon myrtle, pepperberry, quandong, saltbush and wattleseed. These items can be found throughout various dishes, however the Indigenous tasting plate is certainly a great place to start. Coffee is also top notch, with Seven Seeds Coffee used at the cafe. Café Narana is truly a great alternative to your everyday menu, and each dish certainly packs a punch – thanks to chef Hayden Ververs.
Where: 410 Surf Coast Highway, Geelong
When: Tues-Sat 9am-3pm
Ph: 5241 5700
Website: www.narana.com.au

Gateway Hotel

gateway hotelWhat is better than great food? Lots of it! With their all you can eat buffet priced from $22, the Gateway Hotel Feast has to be one of the best value venues in town. But it doesn’t end there. The venue also boasts a family-friendly atmosphere where the little ones are always welcome. Our Club 4 Kids is free to join with many great benefits including Kids Eat Free Thursday nights and our monthly theme parties and competitions. From Monday to Friday the Family Deal comes in at the bargain price of $55 for two adults and up to three kids. The venue also regularly hosts first-class entertainment from some of the country’s finest musos. In a nutshell, the Gateway Hotel is high on value. Licensed venue. Function room also available.

Where: 218-230 Princess Hwy, Corio
When: Mon-Sun 8am-4pm
Ph: 03 5275 1091

Pane di Matteo IMG_0079
If you’ve ever wondered where that delicious smell of warm bread is permeating down Porter Avenue, Highton it’s from the quaint and fresh Italian bakery Pane di Matteo.
With a recent makeover, this light and airy space with exposed white brick and light timber finishes is the perfect backdrop to their streamline coffee machine, a Faema with mixed metal finishes and guaranteed to make the best Italian coffee.
If you’re looking for fresh bread or pastries to go with your coffee, you can’t go past their daily made nutella lobsters, chewy almond or pistachio biscotti, and delicately filled cannoli (choose from sweet ricotta, chocolate or lemon custard – or all three!)
But being a bakery, you’ve got to pick up a loaf of bread – special mention to their Spelt Sourdough with has a soft fluffy inside and light crunchy crust on the outside. Perfect for those who are limiting their gluten.
Carbs and Coffee? There is nothing better.
Where: 12 Porter Ave, Highton Vic 3216
Contact: 0421 821 449
Website: www.panedimatteo.com.au

The Elephant & Castle

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The Elephant & Castle Hotel has fast become one of Geelong’s major attractions due to its stunning refurbishment and home to one of the country’s most prized photographic collections: “Images of Our Time”. Darryn Lyons has opened up his personal collection in honour of the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen – which opens from July 22.

The Elephant and Castle’s award winning Executive Chef: Damian Beggs has just launched his new Winter Menu and is passionate about fresh produce which takes full advantage of Geelong and the surrounding regions to produce the current menu. The hotel offers fantastic lunch and dinner dining in both the restaurant and public bar and the diversity of the menu will suit everyone.

Lunch is available seven days a week with $12 lunch specials Monday to Friday. Dinner is from 5.30pm until late and the kitchen is open all day on weekends for dining. A great snack menu is available from 2.30pm – 5.30pm every Saturday and Sunday. So whatever your reason, get down to the Elephant and Castle Hotel to view an amazing array of photography, enjoy some fine food or have a drink at the bar.

Where: 158 McKillop St, East Geelong
When: Mon-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12am; Sun 11am-11pm
Ph: 5221 3707
Site: elephantandcastle.com.au