Anglesea’s Lovehouse Dining is the perfect destination. Oh, you’re looking for ocean views? Tick. Asian-inspired food you can easily share with loved ones? Tick. A wedding venue and function space? Tick. Indoor and outdoor dining with no compromise on those aforementioned ocean views? TICK.
Plus, for each person who enjoys a meal at Lovehouse, one meal is donated to a food-insecure Australian child in need – now that’s fine dining at it’s best.
But don’t let that term scare you, the dining IS fine, and the food is quality to match – but the prices for these dishes are right where they need to be.
Let’s take a dive into what’s on the menu, and why we’re throwing you the car keys to get over to Anglesea and try it yourself immediately!
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
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The culinary journey started with the ever-delicious edamame (can anyone get this wrong? Are they just this good?) and a bowl of tom yum-flavoured peanuts, before the first dish that made me audibly go “wow” arrived.
We’re talking tequila and beetroot cured Kingfish. Delightfully light and buttery atop a sesame cracker with avocado, wasabi kewpie and pickled red onion. Simple pairings for a dish that gives you the perfect bite, ready to go.
For a dish I’ve seen popping up everywhere in recent years, Lovehouse’s crispy cauliflower bites had a twist that fit perfectly on their menu. Spiced tahini dressing, confit garlic hummus with some herbs, gochugaru salt and tamari seeds to round it off. A warming, nourishing combo with a crispy batter true to its name.
Next was the Korean fried chicken bao, another item (bao) that has really had a rise in popularity but I’ve had my fair share of average baos in that time – and this wasn’t one of them. The Korean chilli glaze was a very accessible spice level for those who can’t handle much (me), sticky sweet and delicious with just the hint of a kick that levelled out with every bite. No-fuss toppings; sesame, slaw, pickled carrot and, of course, kewpie mayo to boot.
This next dish was a personal fave – chargrilled tamarind and chilli chicken, laid on a bed of citrus labneh (LABNEH! YUM!) with chilli, herbs, shallots, paprika oil and sesame. The chicken was divine, perfectly cooked with a delish flavouring paired with the refreshing labneh cutting through the heat, oozing with paprika oil. My only qualm was there wasn’t more of it – next time I’ll be ordering two serves just for me.
To finish we enjoyed a hearty bowl of Barramundi with soy, chilli, ginger, sesame, bean sprouts and shallots in Lovehouse’s fish parcel – think a flavoursome, brothy soup situation with the most flaky, melt-in-your-mouth barramundi you can imagine. Paired with a small bowl of coconut rice, this was the best way to end the meal…before diving into dessert.
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I could write another 400 words on the dessert alone, but I’ll leave you with this: order it.
Ube panna cotta with coconut icecream and a sweet biscuity crumble on the side, an incredible mix of creaminess and crunch in every mouthful. You can be sure I’ll be ordering this one again, perhaps two serves to pair with my two chargrilled chickens…
Lovehouse Dining is open Wednesday – Thursday from 5 – 9PM and Firday – Sunday 12pm to late, and doubles as a wedding venue or function space for up to 350 guests, with multiple room options available.
