Ionio (Doncaster/Templestowe)

Category: Mediterranean/Tapas

Location: Westfield Shopping Centre

Shop 2001, 619 Doncaster Rd Doncaster, VIC 3108

Cost: $$$

J'Rate: ♥♥

Stationed in the upper level of Doncaster's sophisticated shopping center, Ionio presents a Mediterranean focused menu in a contemporary urban atmosphere. With wide glass windows facing over Doncaster, the restaurant reflects the modern, luxurious desired outlay of a dine in experience.

At first I was ready to give the restaurant double ticks but as the night went by, more aspects downgraded the restaurant. The view was on point, service on point, entree on point but it was the mains that brought them down. If anything, I'd recommend this restaurant if you're looking for tapas. We arrived and the attention was brought upon us immediately. Our waitress gave us our choices of seating, gave us the menu and our entree was served so quickly I was amazed. Even better that it tasted divine. Our selections were probably the best Mediterranean tapas I've had in so long. However we ended up ordering our mains shortly after and ended up waiting a solid hour and a half (from the time we ordered and received). During this time, the restaurant got quite packed. We gave them our time, hoping that the wait would be worth it because you'd think with all that time, they'd be cooking our meals to perfection but it was a disappointment.  Nonetheless, the service was great, our waitress kept coming back to our table apologising for the delay and ensuring we were comfortable.

Anyway here's further information about what we ordered:

Entree: 

Arancini w. roasted pepper, feta, olives $8
Grilled saganaki w. nuts & lemon dressing $9

I think this was probably the greatest entree I've had. The Arancini was basically fried rice balls layed with bread crumbs and Grilled saganki, pan fried cheese. The cheese topped with lemon had the most sensual taste, first salty, easing into sourness; an explosion to your taste buds.

 Mains:

Eye Fillet 200g $30
Scotch Fillet 300g $29

 I personally had the scotch fillet myself and while the outer proportion had my heart with its tenderness, the meat got stiffer as it grew closer to the middle. I conclude I wasn't much of a fan in the end as it got so tough I could barely finish it. The potato could have been better baked because it was too hard, lacking the soft, melting nature I was hoping for.

Confit duck w. sautéed gnocchi & gourmet mushrooms $24

The duck was a bit dry, lacking flavour. 

Linguine tossed w. mussels, clams, prawns, scallops & fish in a garlic & chilli bisque $28

 This dish was almost unbearable to eat as it was enriched with chilli powder, so much you could barely taste anything else but the chilli. Yes this dish wasn't finished either.

Overall I would recommend this restaurant for tapas. Despite all the negativity with the mains, the tapas was gold. Would come back solely for the atmosphere and small bites.