Ask those that know, where to head in Melbounrne for dinner and most will tell you Maha.
Maha means ‘beautiful eyes’ and is the name of Shane Delia’s (of SBS Spice Journey fame) wife.
A lovely touch at the end of the evening is a small sample of some of the spice sold by the restaurant.
The great strengths of Maha are its central CBD location, gorgeous sound absorbing atmospheric decor, service and great food.
Even if the menu sounds plain to you, do trust Maha’s reputation. The flavours are sublime.
Surprisingly, it’s the lesser- sounding grain/vegetable based dishes that steal the show over the more robust meat/fish/chicken dishes.
This means that even the smallest dinner option, $55 for two courses, is very satisfying. It’s plenty of food and each dish is a treat.
2 COURSE $55
MATCHED WINE $30
First
local olives, fel fel
cauliflower hummus, walnut, beef, parsley
pumpkin kibbeh, roast onion, kefalograviera
saffron spiced chicken wings, sweet potato, charred pepper
chemen cured swordfish, kewpie mayo,
preserved lemon and shallot
Second
12 hour roasted lamb shoulder, garlic, cumin, coriander, smashed radish, almond, mint
‘winter fattoush’
beans, radish, sumac toast, butter lettuce, mustard and lemon
cracked wheat pilaf, zucchini, olive, walnut
The set menu can be a challenge but don’t be discourged. Choose the two course option unless you have a large appetite, and add dessert to share if you were really looking forward to it.
Matched wines can be added, but it may be better to choose your own by the glass.(The reisling and the syrah that are matched with the two courses are excellent choices).
The weekday lunch menu options are great value and well worth exploring.
In order of favourite to least favourite dishes
cracked wheat pilaf, zucchini, olive, walnut – wonderful cinnamon flavours
pumpkin kibbeh, roast onion, kefalograviera
cauliflower hummus, walnut, beef, parsley
chemen cured swordfish, kewpie mayo,
preserved lemon and shallot
‘winter fattoush’
beans, radish, sumac toast, butter lettuce, mustard and lemon
12 hour roasted lamb shoulder, garlic, cumin, coriander, smashed radish, almond, mint
saffron spiced chicken wings, sweet potato, charred pepper
The turkish delight filled doughnuts, rosewater honey dessert is interesting to try, but very filling and one of the other lighter more delicate desserts may well be a better choice.
local olives, fel fel
Fine Eating 
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