Porters
49 Nelson Place, Williamstown
03 9397 1251
Australian
$$$$
Food
- Salt and Pepper Calamari
- Garlic and Oregano Prawns
- Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder
- 200g Eye Fillet
The Good
It was a fantastic start to our lunch with the Salt & Pepper Calamari, as well as the Garlic & Oregano Prawns.
It’s no surprise that the Calamari was the best seller. The chunky, thick cut calamari was lightly crumbed and fried to a perfect golden colour. The slight crisp outer made way for a tender and meaty inner that was full of flavour and offered a slightly bouncy feedback with every bite. Neither too salty nor peppery, the perfectly seasoned calamari was combined with a slightly spicy sirarcha aioli that added a hint of spice and creaminess. Delicious.
The Garlic Prawns were an immediate favourite of ours. The sizeable prawns were exceptionally fresh and juicy, with such a fresh, fragrant prawn aroma that’s hard to forget. This was served with a zesty and refreshing pineapple salsa, nicely paired with lightly pickled zucchini ribbons. With crumbed feta adding richness throughout, this was one scrumptious entree that impressed in every way.
We then proceeded to dig into our 200g Eye Fillet. Beautifully presented and topped with a melting herb butter, the thick cut eye fillet was a sight to behold. Cooked to a medium, the still pink inner was plump and juicy, offering a slight richness and a good beefy flavour. The outer was lightly charred and offered a more aromatic though textured experience.
Not to be missed was the Lamb Shoulder. Slow Roasted to absolute perfection, the lamb fell apart effortlessly at the push of the fork. With the signature lamb aroma filling your nostrils as every bite slowly melted away in your mouth, this dish offered a level of unparalleled decadence. The pairings too were no less remarkable. The Mediterranean inspired tahini and labneh, along with the ancient grain salad and dukkha spices made for a light yet flavoursome accompaniment to the richness of the lamb.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
A newly opened eatery along seaside Williamstown, Porters offers an enticing Modern Australian menu characterised by fresh, quality produce that forms the basis of every dish.
Superbly executed and with bits of international influences thrown in, we found our lunch not only exceptionally tasty, but also surprised on the palate as well – like the Lamb with hints Mediterranean spices, and the Greek inspired Garlic Prawns.
All paired with a superb cocktail list, Porters is perfect for long endless lunches or a memorable, refined dinner.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Most defintiely!
Penguineats would like to thank Porters for inviting us.