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Colonial Tramcar Restaurants

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akakd
akakd
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4 out of 5
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Colonial Tram Car Restaurant

  • October 26, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by jopyz from Hamburg, New York
The Colonial Tram Car Restaurant is just that--a 1920s tram converted for eating. You catch the dining car at a tram stop not far from Melbourne's casino. The elegant burgundy vehicles pull up, and it seems you step back to another era. The interior is a bit tight, but plush and luxurious. There are two dinner rides: an early three-course dinner and a later five-course dinner. The meal includes everything, even beer, wine, champagne, and after-dinner liqueurs.

We had our first sip of champagne as we pulled away from the stop. There was very little sense of motion as we dined on paté and kangaroo while taking a nighttime tour of the city. Surprisingly, the food is actually cooked in a kitchen on the tram car, and it was excellent. Paté to start, followed by an appetizer of kangaroo, which we were a bit hesitant to eat, having seen so many at various game parks during the trip, but it proved to be very tasty.

We followed this with the main course of chicken, then a selection of cheeses, and a delicious mousse for dessert. While my mother and I opted for sampling some of the fine Australian wines served, my niece preferred the champagne.

We rode thru Melbourne, out to St Kilda and back. There was one stop about midway through the meal. This was the second time we'd dined on the tram car, and we found it both times to be a memorable experience and an excellent way to conclude our two weeks in Australia.

From journal Holiday Down Under

Tram Restaurant

  • May 11, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Chrissy1 from Sydney, Australia
Wow! This is the best way to see the city and enjoy the sights. The Tram Restaurant leaves several times a day and is open for lunch or dinner. The tram goes around the city and meals are all served by waiters. It's a restaurant on wheels, so to speak. It's fantastic and not to be missed. It can be a very romantic night out or take your family and friends to enjoy a drink while someone else drives. . .

From journal Melbourne town

Editor Pick

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

  • April 16, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by reef2020 from Wilton Manors, Florida
The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

Talk about a restaurant with a view! The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is exactly what it sounds like — a restaurant on a restored 1920s era Melbourne City Tram. Sounds like Victoria Station, huh? Not even close, because this tramcar is still on the tracks, still running about town. For three hours, you can dine in absolute luxury as the city's parks, monuments, streetscapes and people roll by.

The whole idea of a rolling restaurant is fun in and of itself, but the food, prepared by a master chef in a tiny kitchen right on board, is exquisite. The menu changes regularly to take advantage of seasonal fare. The night we went, we began with a glass of champagne and a cream, liver and cognac pate as our appetizer. The entrees (what we would call an appetizer back in the States) were a shellfish soup or a berry pancake topped with small fillets of pepper crusted kangaroo, served with tomato chutney. The main course (our entree at home — you getting all this?) of chicken fillet or prime beef fillet, were quite good, but unremarkable. A fine selection of Australian cheeses and fruits was served before a dessert of white and dark chocolate terrine with cointreau-marinated strawberries. Beer, liquor, coffee, tea and a fine selection of Victorian wines are all included in the prix fixe meal. In true Aussie fashion, the meal ended with a local port as a nightcap.

The car itself is beautifully appointed, and specially fitted with stabilizers, ensuring a smooth ride through town. The service was impeccable and friendly, and we especially enjoyed being close enough to the table next to us to share conversation with a couple of Melburnians.

As you would expect, Friday and Saturday are more expensive than other nights, so you can save $11 per person by going on a weeknight. Lunch is also an option, and there is an Early Dinner option that is a three-course meal lasting just 1 1/2 hours. I say go for the full experience though, and do the five-course late dinner. For Americans, the exchange rate makes it about the same price as a very fine dinner back home, and the novelty of it will give you plenty to remember.

From journal Melbourne: Australia's Second City

Editor Pick

Colonial TramCar Restaurant

  • January 6, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by akakd from , Arizona
To celebrate my husband's birthday, we delighted in The Colonial TramCar Restaurant, aboard a MOVING historical 1927 tram that travels around the city as you dine on gourmet cuisine and see the city all lit up at night. This burgundy restaurant on wheels is the only actual traveling tramcar restaurant in the world, and an innovative approach to dining. Food is prepared fresh on the tram and served with traditional silver and white linen service. One delicacy--Pepper Crusted Kangaroo. It was more than a bit unnerving to pet them by day, dine on them by night. I, personally, opted for the award winning cheese & delighted in delicious chocolates. The Colonial TramCar Restaurant won the National Tourism Award & has become a star attraction & tourist symbol for Melbourne. (One hint--they REALLY came dressed up for this. Though we certainly didn't appear in jeans, we still felt a bit underdressed.)

From journal Marvelous Melbourne

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