Dawson
239 High Street, Kew
03 9852 8000
Breakfast, Burger, Burgers, Coffee, Coffee and Tea, Contemporary
$$
Food
- Wild Mushroom and Leek Arancini
- Fish and Chips
- Bacon and Egg Bun
- Otway Pork Belly Salad
The Good
We began our feast with some Wild Mushroom and Leek Arancini. Beautifully presented and fried to a light golden brown, a cute dollop of herb aioli offered up a fragrant and creamy sensation that was well accompanied by the crispy outer and the soft, aromatic inner filled with mushrooms.
The humble Fish and Chips certainly didn’t disappoint either. The ale batter was crunchy yet light, offering up great flavour without being too oily. Within, the rockling fillets were fresh and juicy, with a slight firmness throughout. Opting to substitute the fries for some sweet potato chips was perhaps the best decision, as the sweet potato chips were perfectly fried, soft and mushy inside and just crunchy enough on the outer. Coupled with some aioli and a squeeze of lemon for freshness, this
We also indulged on the Bacon and Egg Bun, though decided to add a beef patty given it was indeed lunch time! The presentation of the burg was absolutely on point. With a sunny fried egg sitting on top, it’s yolk just waiting to be poked, underneath sat strands of perfectly fried, crispy bacon and a crunchy hash brown. Moving down the burg, we found the glorious beef patty that was heavily sesasoned and offering up a juicy experience that’s full of flavour. With the patty topped with a slice of melted cheese and combined with the sweet tomato relish smeared across the toasted brioche, this impressive stack had all the flavours you’d want from a burger. Absolutely delicious!
The Mediocre
The Otway Pork Belly Salad was also enjoyable, though less impressive on this occasion. Despite the vibrant colours and stunning presentation, the pork belly itself fell short on expectations, which was disappointingly chewy and dry on our visit. However, the salad itself was absolutely delicious, with the crispness of fresh bean shoots, shallots, spring onions and cucumber creating a refreshing experience. With a slight tangy sensation thanks to the nam jim dressing, we recon you can certainly make friends with this salad!
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Situated in Kew, Dawson offers an all-day dining experience that’s affordable yet refined. The wholesome and generous portions are definitely something to rave about, as was the genuine warmth and friendliness of the service from all the wait staff.
All this undoubtedly makes for a winning combination, and it’s no doubt Dawson is packed with locals on a Sunday arvo.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
You can count on it! Next time, we gotta save some room for dessert!
Penguineats would like to thank Eat Marketing Concepts for inviting us to Dawson and the generous hospitality of owner Steven.