Hearty, Home-Cooked Delights At Grandma❜s at McEvoy
- All Ages
By: explorer team, ellaslist
Show me a parent who doesn't dread the thought of dining out anywhere decent with their kids and I'll eat my shorts. The sticky fingers, table mess, the noise, the confinement of energetic children in small spaces, fretting about what the restaurant staff or your fellow diners are making of your feral little darlings, not to mention the invariably disappointing menu options for children. The list goes on. Chicken nuggets and fries, anyone?
Well, dear reader, I have great news. You can leave all your mealtime worries behind at Grandma's At McEvoy in Alexandria. Within easy reach of both the eastern suburbs and inner west, it's now open for dinner service Thursday through Saturday nights from 5.30pm.
Super Cosy Yet Spacious
Firstly, Grandma's is huge. Built into a warehouse-style building and furnished eclectically with lots of timber, succulents, funky vintage lighting, comfy sofas, and candles galore to light up the night, it feels warm and cosy and inviting despite the space.
There is loads of room to tuck the pram/scooter/wheels out of the way. Highchairs are plentiful, as are helpful waitstaff to settle you in on arrival. Smaller kids will make their way direct to the dedicated play area, giving you a few precious moments - more if you're lucky - to order a glass of wine and admire the menu. As it was a Saturday night my dining companion and I threw caution to the wind and also ordered our kids some fresh lemonade (just like grandma used to make).
Tastes Like Grandma's
There are several a la carte options to choose from - we chose three as starters - however the main event is undoubtedly the chef's main meal selection, an impressive feat in home-cooking mastery. More on that later.
We started with the dip plate to share between for four of us ($20) - a selection of delicious fresh olives (from Grandma's farm - it's just off the Federal Highway at Collector in case you were wondering - we always stop in here for a pie on our way to Canberra) surrounded by tapenade, tzatziki, a delicately pumpkin-scented humous, babaganoush, and some exquisite fresh labne dressed with olive oil, all mopped up with a generous serving of pita bread. Also roasted young Dutch carrots ($18) drizzled in a yoghurt dressing and dotted with pistachios and pomegranate seeds. Then vol au vent (also $18). Vol au vent! Just like grandma used to make, seriously!
As enjoyable as our entrees were, and they were, it was the dinner service proper which really took our breath away. Every member of the family can choose their very own culinary adventure here, from a substantial range of fresh-cooked hot and cold dishes for just $10 and $20 each (kids and adults respectively).
ellaslist Recommends
Now it may be one of the more innocuous dishes on offer, but if you have never tried Israeli couscous, you are missing out. Where has this stuff been all my life?! Developed in Israel during the 1950s when rice was scarce, these tiny little buttery spheres of wheat pasta give little resistance before melting away in your mouth. Pair them with a red cabbage slaw and a generous portion of velvety slow-cooked Osso Bucco in a rich, thick tomato-based sauce and you will be patting yourself smugly on the back for choosing so wisely.
My friend was raving about her roasted cauliflower soup, served alongside Grandma's trademark turmeric bread, and our girls both devoured their dinners too - a hearty chicken casserole here, gorgeous thick golden slices of roast potatoes there, more Israeli couscous, lamb shanks, and more.
This is seriously hearty, thoughtfully and lovingly prepared, great value home-cooking at its best. It's the type of food I cook myself when - if! - I ever have the whole day to myself in the kitchen. But since I had kids, those days are sadly very few and far between. And this is what makes Grandma's so appealing. It's like going home for dinner.
What You Need To Know
When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights from 5.30pm - 9.30pm
Where: Grandma's at McEvoy, 140-142 McEvoy St Alexandria
Dinner Details: The dinner station includes freshly made salads, slowly cooked dishes & specials to order at the table- dinner station plates available from the bar. Side salad of your choice- $10, Adult Mains- $20 (including Slow cooked Ossobuco & Israeli couscous, Red Lamb Shank white rice & roasted nuts, Traditional Moroccan chicken, vegetables & chickpeas dish, fine Turmeric couscous, and Spicy barramundi fish & white rice). Kid's size dinner station- $10 (a selection of cooked meals available).
To Book: Call or SMS 0417 947 661
ellaslist Top Tips
- Limited off-street and ample (free) street parking
- Licensed and BYO, there are beautiful wines from Kingsdale Winery near Grandma's Farm,
otherwise corkage is $4 per person. Boutique alcoholic drinks include Grandma's house red and white wine, Kingsdale Sauvignon Blanc, Kingsdale Emma Shiraz, Kingsdale Merlot, Kingsdale Chardonnay, as well as James Squire One Fifty Lashes, Pure Blonde, Peroni and Asahi. Lots of options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten issues
Reviews
