Fantastic contemporary Australian cuisine! Our Aussie friends suggested this restaurant for our first night in Melbourne. Service was friendly, everything was delightful and the wine selection was fantastic!! Great introduction to Melbourne dining. The roast lamb for the table was particularly memorable! read more

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Host appears to have too many additional duties causing delays being greeted and seated. Asked for and received a different table as the one offered was in an awful location. They rush your choices for drinks/food evidently to turn the tables on time. As requested we gave our full order at once. I don't want to have my food start appearing before my cocktail is finished! Long delay between a couple of the tapas style courses. Limited dessert options and overly high priced wines, especially by the glass, although the list is quite extensive. The food is very good. The atmosphere is very loud and slightly chaotic. It's worth a meal but with so many options I doubt we would return. read more

The service and food are absolutely perfect. They are great at pairing foods you wouldn't normally think go well together, for something wholly new and delicious. There are two different levels and we definitely preferred the top level. Such a beautiful space. read more

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The food was fantastic. Do the tasting menu. Get. Sample of all the good stuff. Great service. And in a cool venue on Flinders Ln. but not near the crazy part, closer to the park so much quieter in terms of tourists. Highly recommend read more

Interesting place. Our server was constantly rushing us and looking at her watch. We made a reservation weeks in advance and were not walk ins that were squeezed in. We like to order cocktails and then enjoy them as we pondered the menu. The food was good, the service not so much. read more

Love this charming restaurant! The food was fresh, delicious, and full of flavor! It is smaller portions that create a great opportunity to share and try different dishes. My favorites that we tried were the Tasmania oysters and the octopus- very yummy! The service was great, she was attentive and happily ready to pour another glass of wine! read more

Cumulus - Oyster - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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One of the best dinner experiences that I've had in a long time. I had the experience of sitting at the kitchen bar and watching the chefs at work while I followed along using the restaurants cookbook. I ordered the tasting menu and each course was wonderful, complimented by great wine from Australia. The tasting menu had significant amount of food that could easily be shared by two people but was meant for one. The lamb was so delicate and tender that it fell off the bone, well-prepared The service at the restaurant was equally good. The wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable of the food and wine. I would definitely come back to this wonderful restaurant to experience more of what the menu offers. Note: make reservations in advance read more

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One of the best meals I've had in Melbourne - the only thing I regret is not going with more people to order the full menu! The lamb shoulder was heavenly. Service was top notch. The wine and cocktails were so wonderful and paired beautifully with the recommended dishes. I loved the marinated zucchini - who knew it could be so good?! I have to come back to try the tuna tartare, John Dory and the duck. Do not skip out on dessert - especially the coconut cream & strawberry granita! I could have ordered a second one for myself! If you have an opportunity to sit at the chef's counter, do it. The chefs there are so skilled and it's magical watching them. Can't wait to return already! read more

Ate here as part of a larger group. Wonderful ambience, easy to walk to from our hotel. The servers were extremely nice, very attentive, and we just never seemed to be out of anything. I had a grain/veggie meal that they sort of made for me as a vegan. It was really good. They brought me a wonderful dessert as well a tart of some sort. It was such a nice way to end the meal! read more

Cumulus - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I was told this was one of the best restaurants in Melbourne and I was honestly a bit disappointed. I arrived on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed. The atmosphere is very casual, not exactly what I had expected from a place with such 'outstanding food', but i digress. I was seated at the open concept kitchen table so I could watch the chefs put everything together, love that. I started with a glass of wine, which was okay. They brought out two slices of warm bread with some olive oil and sea salt which was tasty. The waitress came by and I ordered the calamari and tomato salad and ricotta dumplings, which she recommended. The calamari dish wasn't good at all. The 'dressing' tasted like cheap mayo and the calamari itself was rubbery. Disappointing. I was really hoping the ricotta would make up for it, and thankfully the dumplings were very good, very cheesy and the oil on top mixed with the almonds was an excellent flavor explosion in my mouth. Very interesting dishes on the menu. Maybe I just choose wrong with the calamari dish! read more

Cumulus - Ricotta dumplings - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Wonderful restaurant, food was fantastic the lamb and the pie were highlights. Service was warm and attentive. Vibe is very Melbourne and we appreciated it very much. Matched up to my expectations. read more

You know you're set for something special when you're slobbering over complementary spiced almonds appetiser. Every dish start to finish was hard not to wolf down. I never thought I'd drool over Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts! Value for money is good too. $75pp Chef Selection buys you more (amazing) food than you can finish. Cumulus inc is total food coma material. Worth the stomach cramps. read more

Came in for a quick breakfast. It's a cute place with a very industrial look. I had the crumpets and honey and a latte. Very simple but nice breakfast. I will have to come back some time to try the lunch or dinner because it had such great reviews. Overall, a decent place for breakfast. It's worth checking out. read more

Cumulus - Crumpets with honey. Yum. - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

You can't beat a dozen $2 oysters, a glass of Chardonnay & some baker Bleu bread at 5.00 pm during the week , especially if you live/work locally read more

Absolutely fabulous meal! Plan for a long evening. The plates are staggered. Server described the plates as small but they are plenty for 2-3. We ordered several salads and veggies and one entree, the lamb shoulder, which we couldn't even finish. Service excellent. Vibe energetic, a little noisy, small space. A special night out. The bar Cumulus Up is upstairs. read more

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SO AMAZING. Staff was so nice and personable. Food was outstanding. Quiet intimate atmosphere. I came away completely stuffed and satisfied with some takeaway that I can't wait to eat tomorrow for lunch! read more

I decided I wanted to try the good food spots that I had researched prior to my arrival. I was going to turn my day into my own little Melbourne Food tour. Fourth stop on the tour, Cumulus I had oysters and a made to order Madeline with custard filling in the middle at Cumulus Inc. I waited about 15-20 minutes for the Madeline, but it was so worth it. read more

Cumulus - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This review is for the breakfast service at Cumulus Inc. This restaurant's airy, bright atmosphere is a great place for a casual morning meal with friendly, quick service. On my visit, I had the house made crumpets with whipped ricotta and honey--the two crumpets had a nice airy texture but not much flavor on their own. However, the creamy ricotta and a dab of honey added just the right touch! We also had the madeleine filled with lemon curd, which the menu specifically says requires 15 minutes to make. It was a good madeleine, but perhaps not as special as it was made to sound. My favorite dish was undoubtedly the shakshouka, which was full of tomato chunks and large slices of roasted pepper. On the top were baked eggs along with shanklish, a salty cheese, and a thick herb sauce. This tomato stew was hearty and delicious--a nice combination of spicy, sweet, sour, and savory. It was perhaps one of the best shakshoukas I've had, and it went perfectly with the two slices of crusty toast on top! The prices for breakfast here may seem expensive, but the food is quality and the atmosphere is enjoyable! It's definitely worth checking out! read more

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Amazing!!!!! We didn't have reservations but we got lucky, because we got seated at the bar, so we were able to enjoy delicious food and great drinks:) Place is super cool! Atmosphere is amazing:) so many cool little thing around :) Make sure to try a few different items on the menu, because everything is different and super tasty. We shared a few dishes and loved all of them :) Recommend it! Cheers!!! read more

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Can be a little noisy, but it's got a great vibe and awesome food. Always recommend this place to visitors.

Ordered 2 madelines 3.3 each with lemon curd along with cappuccino along with chopped Cold trout We saw 2 Madeline go in the oven so freshly baked! Open kitchen is fun to watch as you're sitting by the bar read more

Heavenly Cumulus! On my last day in Melbourne, I experienced a lunch that was not only one of my best ever, but more importantly, my most memorable one in the city! I came here with a friend for a lunch date and luckily for us, despite the high popularity of this place, we got seated right away - yay to that because sadly they don't take reservations! The restaurant's space wasn't that big but I absolutely adore the casual-chic atmosphere and bright lighting from the huge windows. The menu is also straightforward and listed some classic Australian cuisines which tasted fresh and modern - Love it! The two of us ordered and shared: + Grilled octopus, romesco and fennel ($18) : Winner! These taste amazing, every component of the dish was on point and the freshness of the octopus is unbeatable. It's a must try! + Tuna tartare and crushed green pea salad ($32): The chunks of raw tuna were fantastic, it was fresh and I do get a hint of citrusy marinate in it...yum! However, I was not really digging the cream cheese based, as it tasted more like goat cheese to me (which is not their fault, just a personal dislike). + Wagyu beef rump, smoked onion and horse radish ($36): Delicious, presentation was beautiful and beef was done perfectly medium pink and seasoned flawlessly. In addition to their prodigious dishes, the service here is top notch. Our dishes were served individually by the chef as he explained what's on it. Since it was an open kitchen, you can watch and observe how meticulous they are with the food preparation! Overall, if you've only had one day and one meal in Melbourne, definitely give Cumulus a try! The food here oozed of sophistication and elegance. Easily, this is the most unforgettable lunch experience I've had to date! read more

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I can see why breakfast is so popular - its heaven! Served until 11:30 every day, but expect a wait if you don't get there early. By 9:45 on a rainy Tuesday there was a queue. There are plenty of vegetarian options. They won't alter dishes, though, so best to check the menu on their website in advance if you have complex dietary restrictions. The shakshuka was exceptional and very large. I wound up sharing it with my boyfriend so we could also get some pastries. You wont want to miss out on the freshly baked madeline served with a dollop of lemon curd! Coffee is fantastic too. Water is self-serve at the end of the bar, which seems a little weird given that the restaurant is pretty high-end otherwise. Prices are comparable to any other breakfast place in Melbourne, so you may as well go here for the best quality! read more

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Well it's only been talked about for two years, but the upstairs bar at Cumulus is finally open and Melbourne, I'm glad to say, we have been rewarded for our patience. Hoorah! Cumulus Up is a a darker, smaller and sexier space than its big brother downstairs and while I imagine a lot of people will come here for a pre dinner drink when waiting for a table downstairs, I'm going to put it to the top of my "late night dining and snacking" list. Originally we'd planned on coming here for a cocktail and dessert but somehow got swept up in the excitement and proceeded to eat a number of the small plates. First up: a glass of natural wine which went spectacularly well with an off-menu special of light as air brandade, fried potato slices (read: uber potato crisps) sprinkled with smoked paprika and fennel pollen. Then we were sent some complimentary fried zucchini flowers with a romesco styled salsa. These were perfectly done and I think the best kind of drinking food - hot and crispy, not at all oily, with a salty batter but sweet juicy interior. Next, a glass of Western Australian Fiano with a plate of the Bonito sashimi which I have the feeling may become "the" dish here, much like the tuna downstairs at Cumulus. With a light ginger dressing, a scattering of fried nori and crushed sesame on top, the oily texture worked really well with with the weight of the Fiano. Finally an aged and ashed goat cheese that had incredible layered textures and flavours, matched with a glass of light German Riesling. A wonderful cheese that makes me excited to make regular explorations in to their fromage menu. The reason our food and wine pairings were so good? Because I left all the choices in the hands of Mark who has been one of my favourite waiters downstairs for many years and who has developed a formidable wine knowledge and ability to make the perfect matches. Talk to your waiter when you dine here and have them guide you. Open until midnight, and 1am on Friday and Saturday you can be certain I'll be checking in here on a very regular basis for well priced glasses of wine and tasty plates from the creative genius that is Andrew McConnell. read more

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I can't believe it has taken me so long to write a review about one of my favourite all-day dining spots in Melbourne. Cumulus is excellent for brunch, it's perfect for an afternoon coffee and a snack, and it's divine for dinner. What more could you really want. For breakfast my plan of attack is to get the freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice, seriously the best freshly squeezed grapefruit juice I've ever had, paired with a muffin and a short black. The menu rotates often, but after my muffin course, recently I've been getting the waffle with cured salmon. Then if my stomach allows a freshly made lemon curd madeline for breakfast dessert. For dinner, the menu also rotates but some classics remain, such as the rotisserie lamb. It's fall of the bone tender and a sizable portion to share amongst friends. There is also a excellent and extensive wine list. The service is always spot on at Cumulus, it's friendly, professional, attentive, yet charmingly relaxed. The wait staff has a special knack for making you feel like you're a guest in someones house. This is true of all of Andrew McConnell's restaurants, it's always perfection. read more

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Not having to wait for a table at Cumulus Inc which is known for long waits? The culinary gods must have been kind to us that day as we didn't have to wait to be seated (to be fair, we arrived just before 2pm afterall) and we got the kitchen counter seating. The husband and I usually plan our travel itineraries according to must-visit restaurants. Having read and heard so much about it, of course Cumulus Inc was on our list. We got full view of the kitchen magic from where we sat at the counter. The chefs were tossing salads, searing meats, and garnishing plates. Oh what a foodie's perfect way of dining. The cured kingfish was fresh and the fish slices were generous. The roasted cauliflower with goat curds were addictive. The charcuterie platter had a variety of cured meats and prosciutto which were absolutely delicious. We washed it all down with some cold cider. We were a little jealous of a nearby table who ordered the roasted whole leg of lamb. Here's to a next time, for sure. read more

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You cannot make a booking unless you have a minimum of 7 people. Why 7? Is that to cater fror three couples and one loner. Or three couples with one child. Or two couples and one threesome. I don't understand. Either way. I booked here for a work function. You pat a deposit of 20 per person for a 75 bucks banquet per person. There are two dinner seatings -6.15pm and 8.15pm. Have drinks at cumulus up while waiting. Their wine selection is average. Banquet starts off with some sourdough and brioche bread, charcuterie consisting of cauliflower, olives and proscuitto, some crispy battered cauliflower with mayo (2016 is seriously the year of cauliflower) and oysters from tassie and nsw on a bed of sea salt (tassie oysters are more fishy and have more of a flavour). Mains include the massive crispy lamb shoulder served with pickled red onion in sumac (tastes like sauerkraut but much more fermented), a freekeh salad (quite sweet), garlic potatoes, and red cabbage. Dessert was the most delicious passion fruit sorbet with chocolate mousse and brownie. Heaven in my mouth. Great service. Takes around two hours for the banquet. And you will be stuffed after. :) read more

Cumulus - Lamb shoulder - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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So I'm over in melbs for a week... I'm thinking, thinking where to try next. I turn to yelp and look what I find! --- C-C-C cumulus Inc!!!! What a trendy little spot!, an added bonus that it's only just a stones throw from where I'm staying too. Central, classy and cosy... And definitely not costly at all!!! this place oozes sophistication but still friendly and inviting. Dined at the bar, tasted the delights of the Tuna Tatare (Devine!!), the charcuterie with the brisket with sour pickle and horseradish cream.... And topped off with dessert -- the sour apple sorbet with melon (refreshing). I think this place needs a huge mention because my palette was indeed impressed. Service was spoilt by one bar person- He was brilliant. The gentleman was knowledgeable and pretty spesh. The whole dinner was pretty much decided by his 'favourite choices'--- and great choices they were. I feel I have this culinary connection here :) Best light dinner in a while. Highly recommended! read more

Cumulus - The book I was reading whilst dining solo - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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It's a beautiful space. The menu is different to Cumulus but shares a few bits and pieces. The wine list is awesome. The staff know good food and wine. That is all you need to know. Go. read more

The most amazing meal we had on our trip to Australia! Coming from NYC, my husband and I love food and have eaten the world over. Cumulus will be one to remember. Every one of the dishes we had were amazing. My favorite was the Tuna Tartare which had a delicious crushed green salad with goat curd. I hate anything with goat cheese and asked for it on the side but the goat complemented the tartare perfectly and I didn't mind it all albeit i added only a dash to each bite. My second favorite was the steamed clams with jamon and chickpeas. The sauce was creamy and filing - once the clams and chickpeas were gone, I found myself sopping up the sauce with bread. You must try this one! We also had the Fried Mussels on toast which was yummy as well. The chicken was cooked perfectly but its clean flavors paled in comparison to the Tartare and Clams. The only dish I didn't care for but my husband loved was the Blue Cheese Fig special. Either way, if I am ever in Melbourne again, I will definitely head to Cumulus. read more

Four days in Melbourne and two trips to Cumulus. First, we met friends for a drink at 6pm and the place was hopping. Then we returned for a meal a day or two later at 5:30 hoping to sit at the counter and watch the kitchen work. The counter was full but we had a wonderful meal at a table along the wall. We started with some yummy peppers, an heirloom tomato salad and a tasty pork rillette. They were all good but paled by comparison with the fabulous tuna tartare with fresh peas. It was probably the best dish we've had in the last six months. Dessert was a lemon custard with crumbled meringue and fresh berries. This place is worth the wait if you get there after the tables are full. read more

Cumulus - Heirloom tomatoes and roasted pepper appys - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Houston, we have a problem....Cumulus Inc has let me down. 2+ hours awaiting what I'd read so much about and yet still no main course. I left unfed and hungry. After calling the restaurant and listening to the recorded message regarding "walk in table service" I arrived at 1.00pm and was seated after an anticipated 35 mins wait. My guests arrived and we proceeded to order what our waitress had told us was a tapas style of eating (ie order several dishes each and share). We ordered a mixture of fried mussels on toast, curried corn, tuna tartare with crushed green pea salad, Wagu Beef, Clams, Bean Salad and Pork Loin with plans to hit the desert menu pretty hard once mains had been served. Unfortunately, at 3.15pm I had to run to make a business meeting and had only had a small crouton sized toast biscuit with a mussel atop. I left my 4 guests to enjoy the meal. As we did see other tables of 2 arrive, be served and leave whilst we waited for food we can only assume that the restaurant isn't suited for larger tables of say 4 and over. It's not the place to go for a group. read more

Cumulus - Tuna Tartare - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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This place is great. A bit more relaxed then it's older sibling cumulus it is a fabulous spot for a drink and a bite to eat. I've been here a few times for after work drinks and they can accommodate big groups which is always handy. On the first Saturday of the month they have the cellar door event which is a really fun way to sample wines from different regions. This week was Macedonia ranges and whilst the first winemaker we spoke to was less than friendly all the others more than made up for it. Food is also available in the form of spit roast suckling pig buns. Super yum and well worth it at just $10. read more

Cumulus - Mmm suckling pig in a bun - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Determined to dine at Cumulus after being turned down on Friday at 6:30pm for showing up without reservation, we came back the next day at 530pm and snatched two seats facing the kitchen. I highly recommend sitting here if you are interested to see just how much work goes into making your dish! I was blown away. Our waiter recommended we share our dishes, so we got the curried pumpkin soup with crispy chicken to start, and picked "House smoked ocean trout, cucumber, buttermilk, dill & sorrell" for our main. Awesome dining experience, so worth the effort. Everything was exquisite. The only thing that could make the experience better is if we DIDN'T share our food. cause then we would have ordered more and I would've gotten more taste of their dishes! If i ever find myself back in Melbourne i'm definitely coming back here, and i'm not sharing my main this time. read more

Cumulus - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

On my recent trip to Melbourne, several people told me that I just HAD to eat at Cumulus. So while they don't take reservations for groups less than 7, I thought I would head over and try my luck at getting a seat. Well my luck was working on the night I went, as they had room at the bar or at a communal table near the door. What I didn't know is that there is an entirely different restaurant and experience upstairs at "Cumulus up". So know before you go that there are 2 restaurants in the same building. I chose to sit at the bar and was glad I did as Michael the bartender, and Aleesha the server, did a great job in taking care of us. I started with some of the fresh oysters (they had 3 different kinds on the night I was there) and my friend had the chefs choice charcuterie plate. All was very tasty! For my entree I had the chicken and my friend had the meat special of the day which was a sliced steak. Again, both were quite good. The food here is made to be shared so they suggest that you order 3-4 items per person but we ordered more as individuals and it worked out fine as well. Know that this is not a cheap date. Dinner for two with drinks was around $275 ( $56 was the steak special of the day) but given the great service and food, it was worth the money paid. I also loved the ambiance . . . .it was an old refurbished factory like building and I loved that I could sit at the bar, look out the window and watch the world walk by as I enjoyed my dinner. And they also had a great cocktail list that featured some very interesting sounding cocktails. All in all one of my favorite meals I had while in Melbourne! read more

The dish that I will always remember from this place is the Whole slow roast lamb shoulder: $69.00 It is worth the wait and the price. Give it a go! read more

Cumulus - Best Slow Cooked Lamb Ever - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

We rocked up at Cummulus on a very busy Saturday night without booking, they told us to come back in a hour, I gave my name and went out for a few drinks... An hour and a half later we manage to get a table. The customer service was outstanding! The waitress was super friendly and went through the menu and explained very well the dishes we didn't know. We shared lots of dishes, the charcuterie platter had a great selection of fine shaved hams, prosciutto, salami, terrine and pickles. My favorite was the octopus, one of the best I ever had! The grass fed steak was beautifully cooked and super tender, oysters were fresh but quite expensive. Overall was a great place to catch up with friends for a few drinks and to share some beautiful food. read more

Cumulus - Octopus (in the middle) was outstanding! - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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A go-to for me in Melbourne. Supremely balanced new Australian cuisine that combines creativity, fresh ingredients, modern cooking, and beautiful composition. The team at Cumulus has found Goldilocks- like balance with farm fresh (but not too rustic), creative (but not too avant-garde), intimate (but not too cloistered) dining that is a real credit to Melbourne. 5 stars! read more

Cumulus - House-cured oxtail pastrami with asparagus, horseradish, pickles and rye - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Wow wow wow!!!! One word: shakshouka. THE most amazing breakfast skillet I have ever had. Perfect marriage of eggs and fresh tomatoes with red peppers and cheese. Absolutely lovely and my fiancé was so jealous because it was so much better than his breakfast choice. Which says a lot, because his corned beef sandwich was also super tasty. Excellent coffee and service makes this a phenomenal spot with lots of ambience and a great busy crowd. read more

Cumulus - Shakshouka!!!! Wow. Wow. Wow. - Wine Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

My favorite part of my meal here was sitting at the kitchen bar and watching the chefs hard at work. It was super interesting seeing them work right in front of you, and getting a sense of how each dish was made. We came for their signature lamb shoulder dish, which was far too much for two people to eat. I think it would be enough for 3-4 people. It was very tender yes, but unfortunately also extraordinarily oily. I couldn't eat more than a few bites without reaching for the pickled veggies they provided (specifically for cutting the oil). Ultimately I'm not a fan of food that makes me feel my cholesterol skyrocketing, and this definitely fit the bill. We also tried the lemon madeleine which I was underwhelmed by. Nothing special about the madeleine. All in all, underwhelmed by the food, but enjoyed the ambience. read more