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MELBOURNE | Where Hanoi Hannah once stood now stands Queen Vee’s, a Windsor bar and restaurant that’s all about exploring the diversity of flavours from across the Caribbean. We were recently invited to sample some of the menu and were keen to know more about this kind of food that’s not well known in Australia.
Co-owner Ben Rosenberg (Freelancer Cafe) came up with the concept when he discovered Caribbean themed spots Miss Lily’s and Gladys in New York City. He teamed up with co-owner and head chef Liam Whiticker (ex Movida, Gill’s Diner) to open the venue and transform it into a Caribbean beach shack themed venue complete with wooden tables and benches, flamingo wallpaper, hanging greenery, and pineapple-shaped wall lights. The result is a fun space that doesn’t feel overdone. It’s the kind of place where you can come to enjoy a sit down meal, or just a few drinks, a snack and some great tunes at the bar.
Dishes are made to share and there’s a lot to like. The corn bread is fantastic, with just the right level of sweetness and crunch, and is served with a spicy Jerk butter. Another great starter dish, and surprisingly one of our favourite dishes of the night, is the mashed potato with gravy. The potato is dense and creamy, and the gravy has an almost butterscotch-like sweetness to it. Whatever Whiticker has done with it, it’s a winner. Also great is the Ox tail curry. Delicious, rich chunks of on-the-bone ox tail are served atop a bed or rice and peas. The sauce from the meat drips through to the rice and peas to create something wonderful.
Don’t leave without trying the from jerk chicken, fish or jackfruit. We tried the chicken which was tender and flavoursome, courtesy of a good coating of jerk spice and a generous slather of sweet sauce. Whichever version you choose it’s served with pickled cucumber, grilled pineapple & green tomato pickles.
Drinks wise there’s beer, wine and spirits, with an unsurprising focus on Caribbean themed cocktails. Try the Vee’s Painkiller, a sweet cocktail which contains dark rum, vanilla, orange, pineapple, and coconut, or Awaiting the Storm, a spicy take on the classic dark and stormy with black rum, vanilla, Tabasco, lime, and ginger beer.
Of note is Queen Vee’s extensive vegan and vegetarian options. Those who are adverse to meat can eat very well here, and on Tuesdays it’s vegan night, with some particularly good deals for those wanting vegan food.
Queen Vee’s
180 High Street
Windsor
Victoria 3181
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9191 1474
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Tue – Fri: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat – Sun: 12:00pm to 11:00am