What better way to Celebrate 4 close friends birthdays than to Eat! Rather than spend money on a present, spend it on lots of yummy food! LZ had heard a couple of reviews from friends, and wanting to get over the bridge for the night we decided on After The Tears in Elsternwick
After the tears is a restuarant and a Vodka Bar, they proudly mention there list of over 100 Vodkas. Wasn't I glad I did stick my hand up for designated driver he he he.
Inside the restaurant it had a lovely warm feel, and was decorated nicely. We sat down and were given our menus straight away, I quickly thumbed throught the Vodka pages ( but i'll be back though) to find those illustrious little Pierogis.
There were 3 varieties of Pieorgi;
-> Beef & Chicken, served with bacon and raspberry vinegar porcini
-> Mushroom & Sauerkraut, served with brown butter, sage & cranberry reduction
-> Potato & Cheese, served with sour cream and caramelised onion
We ordered a main serve of the Potato & Cheese Pierogis to share (6 for $20.50 )
They were good, really good. Topped off with the creamy sour cream and sweetness of the caramalised onions. Good flavour, soft and not stodgey like I was expecting.
Our other Entree was the home made Chicken Meatballs (3 for $13)
They consisted of chicken mince and diced vegetables in a hearty tomato sauce laced with paprika and herbs, it was served with rye bread. This dish was great but a lot harder to share 3 meatballs between 4 people but we did 'politely' as we could. I did find the sauce quite salty, lucky i'm quite the salt fiend, but people not big on salt may not enjoy it.
We all agreed we could order another plate of the Pierogis and Meatballs and be really happy.
But we would push on with the mains, as trying new things is what it is all about.
I order the Veal Goulash $22. It came incased in a deliciously crispy potato pancake and topped with a 'zingy' white radish and red onion salad. I enjoyed this. The meat was beautifully tender and the potato pancake was great to sop up the rich sauce ( unfortunately pancake was hidden under the radish salad) The salad was a refreshing change to the meal and cut through the rich paprika sauce.
As per usual I had food envy of my partner Jj's meal. He ordered the Polish Sauages
The Polish Sausages $22. A char grilled Kransky and a white Polish Sausage on a bed of roasted garlic and olive oil mash potato & braised red cabbage, caramelised onions and Jus.
Jj enjoyed this and wasn't to keen on my fork flying in on his plate space. The Mash was great, but I am a sucker for creamy mash ( I promise i did leave him some) this was definetly a great comfort food dish, but i guess I could really say that about the whole menu
Paella con Pollo $24
Now is it just me or does anyone else think having a Paella on a Polish menu Bizarro...? Anywho LZ was really after the seafood. This was okay, it did have a generous amount of seafood and plump chicken pieces although i think the large semi sun-dried tomatoes were a bit of overkill.
I missed out on getting a photo of Mr S's meal, he ordered the Lamb Ragout off the snack menu and nearly polished it off by the time i was ready to take a snap. Mr S said it was great his only complaint was he wished it came in a main size which the waiter said they could not do (hmmmmmmm)
An honourable mention goes out to "Bohemian Lover" a shot of 1/2 Absinth and 1/2 wormwood liqueur vodka. It was gorgeous and warmed you all the way down with every sip
I'll definetly go back to After the Tears and will make a point of trying their brother restaurant in Chapel Street, Borsch, Vodka and Tears
After the Tears
