First Impressions
We have a 6:15pm dinner booking in the height of January’s school holiday period and despite this being the first of their two dinner settings, the atmosphere in the restaurant is already bustling. We’re warmly greeted on arrival and quickly seated at our table with the menu in hand shortly thereafter. We’ve been here before and notice that there have been some changes to the menu but several of our favourites remain. The dishes we haven’t seen before all sound delicious and remain in theme with the restaurant’s approach to food - take great produce and make it the focus using other elements to elevate it, not drown it out with unnecessary frills. Whilst the venue has been in the family since 1976 (albeit with a 12 year hiatus in the early 2000s), it feels anything but dated with the sleek fit out reflecting the venue's casual but refined approach to hospitality.
The Offering
Ipsos serves up a modern take on traditional Greek food, using fresh local produce. It’s the sort of place you’re best to come to with an open mind, order multiple dishes and share. To start you’ll find classics including your favourite Greek dips (all house made of course), fried calamari and grilled octopus, as well as some more innovative options including the manti, a dumpling-like parcel of spiced lamb served with Greek yoghurt and paprika. Of the mains, we always go for the slow cooked lamb shoulder which is so tender it melts in your mouth and is served simply with a labneh and some grains. Additionally across the menu of mains you’ll find local fish, beef and more. Make sure you save room for dessert, there’s plenty of great options ranging from traditional Greek pastries through to more modern but still Greek inspired options. Our favourite is the Patsavoura, a traditional custard and filo pastry combo that Ipsos serve with a delicious vanilla bean ice cream.
You’ll Drive Back For
The slow cooked lamb shoulder is a mainstay on the menu and worthy of returning to the venue many times simply to eat it and nothing else, but we find ourselves coming back here frequently for the warm hospitality and approachable menu. This is high quality food with zero pretentiousness.
Our Order
1 x Taramasalata
1 x Fava dip
1 x Chargrilled SA octopus with sauce gribiche
1 x Fried calamari with lemon
1 x Grilled kefalograviera
1 x Slow cooked lamb shoulder with garlic labneh an ancient grains
1 x Crispy Potatoes with oregano
1 x Green Salad
1 x Patsavoura
1 x Fallen Giants Cabernet Sauvignon (bottle)
The Drive
An easy trip from Melbourne or one to work into your broader itinerary if coming from Sydney or Adelaide, with lots of great places to visit along the Great Ocean Road.
Melbourne - 141 km
Adelaide - 722 km
Sydney - 1,002 km
Details
Address: 48 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC
Phone: (03) 5289 1883
Worth The Drive?
