Mama Ganoush - Glen Eira

I learned about this restaurant from a food show and decided to check it out. The host was friendly and seated us even though we didn't have a reservation on a busy Saturday night. The restaurant wasn't very crowded. The food was tasty and up to par, but my group of four was disappointed by the small portions. I have been to many Middle Eastern restaurants before and they usually serve generous portions. The appetizer plates were very small, with only a spoonful of dip on each plate. Overall, the food was delicious but we were surprised by the high bill at the end of the meal.

I had heard about Mama Ganoush from a few Melbourne food blogs, as well as my trusted Lonely Planet and The Age Good Food Guide, so it came highly recommended. We visited on a weeknight and the restaurant was full, so I was glad we made a reservation. We started with a selection of dips and mezze, which was a great choice for a starter. The dips were delicious and came with filo sticks filled with goats cheese. Mama Ganoush doesn't have traditional mains, but rather a selection of smaller and larger dishes meant for sharing. We ordered two starters and two larger dishes, which worked out perfectly. The standout dish for me was the Mousakka - the rice was cooked perfectly, the tomato sauce was spicy and rich with onions, and the eggplant was smoky and delicious. We also tried a claypot chicken with giant cous cous, which wasn't a hit with everyone at the table, but I loved its subtle spiciness. For dessert, we shared a platter of baklava, Turkish delight, and a honeyed yoghurt panna cotta. Dessert was another highlight, and I would come back just for that and a cocktail. The menu at Mama Ganoush encourages lively discussion about what to order, which is always a good sign in my book. I can't wait to return and try the fried cheese and spicy lamb koftas. Ending the evening with homemade Turkish delight dipped in a martini made for a truly wonderful dining experience.

I've heard about this place from a food show and decided to pay a visit. The host was very gracious and gave us a table despite not having a booking on Saturday night. The place was not very full. The good is delicious and as expected but the four of us were quite disappointed by the tiny serving. I go to many middle eastern places as it's one of my favourite cuisines and typically they serve generous portions. The dip plates were literally a large table spoon full (for around $8 a plate). Overall, the food was yummy but we came out with a relatively large bill.

I had read about Mama Ganoush on a few Melbourne food blogs and my trusty lonely planet AND my Age Good Food Guide so it came highly recommended. We dined there on a week night and the place was packed, i'm glad we booked.We started with a variety of dips/mezze, this was a good choice of starter. The dips were delicious and came with some gorgeously unhealthy filo sticks filled with goats cheese (yum). There aren't mains as such at Mama, you order a few smaller and larger dishes to share. We ordered two starters and two bigger dishes and this worked out well.The highlight of the meal for me was the Mousakka, the rice was beautiful, the tomato sauce spicy and rich with onions and tasted like it had been simmering away for months enriching the beautiful flavour. The eggplant was smokey and delicious. We also ordered a claypot chicken with giant cous cous (very nice) which wasn't so popular around the table but I loved its subtle spiciness. For dessert we ordered the sharing platter of baklava, turkish delight and a gorgeous honeyed yoghurt panna cotta. Dessert was another highlight and i'd go back just for dessert and a cocktail.The menu at Mama is one where you all squabble about what to order so that must be a good sign. I want to return to try the fried cheese (of course) and the spicy lamb koftas. Top it all off with some home made turkish delight dunked in a martini and you have yourself a wonderful evening.

Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience at this restaurant and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for authentic Italian cuisine in Windsor. The ambiance, service, and food were all top-notch.