Food

Pontoon: The Perfect Winter Feast

Pontoon is the newly developed, fast-moving, casual diner found on the ground level of the Stokehouse Precinct in St Kilda, and it is absolutely the place to be for a hearty, scrumptuous winter feed.

And not only that, but this winter, Pontoon has introduced an autumn/winter menu, new cocktails to match and introduced ‘The Diner’, a new table service option that allows for bookings of any size… you simply can’t get better than that.

Whilst maintaining a casual vibe, The Diner, located right next to the custom-made 4-metre-long wood fired grill, is a new addition for guests wishing to pre-organise a date and secure a spot to enjoy food and drinks and of course, the classic St Kilda views.

Eager to test out the new menu and services available, we perched ourselves at the corner table by the big-frame window, overlooking the beautiful St Kilda Esplanade on a cool but sunny Sunday afternoon.

With an Aperol Spritz in hand (why not?) and great company, we were settled in just nicely.

To begin our dining experience, it was a no-brainer but to order the famous Popcorn Chicken and the Lettuce Taco filled with Kingfish Ceviche.

 

Our tastebuds were in heaven, as each bite of the buttermilk marinated crispy chicken dipped in spicy mayo was greeted with pure joy.

The Kingfish Taco was light but oh so delicious and intricate; it would make for the perfect summer snack with a glass of wine out on the Pontoon deck overlooking the bay.

The menu, which is predominately cooked on the grill, is inviting and immensely warm, ready to cater for those hungry bellies this winter season.

With a mix of key dishes including Hot & Sour Pork Belly with Sesame Seed, Fried School Prawns with Lime, Smoky Pulled Pork with Pickled Red Cabbage, ‘Greek Dinner’ Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, a range of delicious salads and wood roasted vegetables, there is honestly something for everybody.

We decided on the weekly special, which happened to be Sage stuffed and rolled Porchetta, slow-cooked on an in-house Ironbark Spit Roast Rotisserie. To say our mouths were watering with every mouthful would be an understatement. Simply and utterly, delicious.

Of course, as hearty as the meals were, there was always room needing to be made for dessert. Finishing off the incredible experience with a Chocolate Mousse with Salted Caramel, Hazelnut and Chantilly seemed the only feasible option.

All in all, our experience at Pontoon was met with great enthusiasm, and left us feeling cosy, warm and completely satisfied in every sense of the word.

From the beautiful and overly inviting interiors, to the beach-front location, the ambiance was everything that you would hope for…and more.

And as for the food? All we can say is, hats off to the chef and his team.

So, if you are looking for a great place to feed at on a dreary, winter’s day, we promise Pontoon will not lead you astray. From the extremely friendly staff and the great deals on offer (Pontoon’s Happy Hour starts from 4 to 6pm on Monday through to Friday), there is truly something for everybody.

Pontoon is open from 12 noon until late every day and bookings can be made online or by calling (03) 9525 5445.

#pontoonstkildabeach #stokehouseprecinct

THE TAILORED MAN