Magic City

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

I've been to Magic City probably eight times in the last four years through various owners. Four years ago it was great with a distinct modern asian flavor under James Tan. A couple of years ago new team and the standard dropped, and things still average last year.

A group of five for lunch and we enjoyed the set lunch menu which was of course sound value for money. The senior staff was our waiter and whilst he was knowledgeable and atentive, he ws a tad too friendly and kept the conversation going a little too long especially as he'd poured our drinks (now go away please). Having said that, better attention than none! He was also happy to switch two courses between entrees and desserts, and offered a beer instead of a wine which was appreciated. Warm bread and water topped up without a fuss or asking.

Salmon was absolutely fantastic. We were expecting smoked salmon slices, however, received an inch wide side of salmon slice with 5 spice chinese spices that had some kick! The salmon was smoked locally and beautiful color. Top effort that! Unfortunately, the crab and lemongrass soup wasn't ready as the fresh crab hadn't arrived...ok.

Mains and four fish curries and a asian chicken salad and thumbs up. Perfect portions for lunch with three or so fish pieces and similar number of tofu that soaked up the coconut and fresh herbs.

The dessert selections were quite numerous so two guests chose two petit fours each and we shared them. Ample size, probably small muffin size. Fresh mini cheesecake and chocolate numbers.

Overall as local business people we were glad Magic City of old is back. Classier and more relaxed than Georgios, lighter food than the Italian places and a bright, relaxed style. We'll be back.

Apr 05, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

Had my second visit to Magic City yesterday, it was just as good the second time. Good quality food and just the right size servings. Wine list good too, good to see a NZ Savy on the list as well. Would go back again tommorrow they change the menu frequently to reflect the seasons, so not predictable. Most enjoyed.

Apr 01, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

We haven't been to Magic City in a long time. But thought we'd give it another go due to new ownership.

Possibly the best decision we've made. The food was amazing. The pad thai and the pumpkin, feta and hazelnut brik. For a vegetarian dish the pumpkin brik was amazing. Usually the vegetarian dish (at other restaurants) are mediocre and uninspired at best, but this was a true delight! The buckwheat salad that the brik was served on was, again, amazing. And my dining partner said that they wouldn't order a pad thai anywhere else, that's how good it was.

The wine list was extensive, both by the glass and the bottle. And reasonably priced. A great beer selection as well. The staff were friendly and welcoming. They were very attentive without being overbearing or to in you face.

We will definitely be back. Best restaurant we've been to in a while! If you're headed there, try the Magic Carpet ride cocktail!

Nov 15, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  8     

Hi All, First time customer June 2010 - had a great entree of shark and salad, then a nicely cooked steak with fries and a sangiovese. I'm used to paying $9 for a glass of wine these days, so that's nothing specific to Magic City, we were there Sunday of the long weekend, there was no rushing, the waitress was fine. They had a two course for $30 special which I thought was pretty reasonable. I didn't drink beer, but they had a pretty good range of microbrewery beers on offer. Would go again!

Jun 20, 2010 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  3     

The food seemed to be trying too hard to be special but failed. The duck was very salty and the pasta dish my companion had was quite ordinary. Wines by the glass were expensive.

Oct 17, 2009 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

I wouldn't usually feel compelled to write about an awful experience at a restaurant but our experience in July 2009 was so bad, I feel the need to warn people off. We'd been to Magic City once before (about 6 months earlier) and had a great time.

After a second visit, we won't be back for a number of reasons, some big, some small: after having looked through the specials board (which was displayed in the middle of the room) and deciding on dishes, we were told that only one thing was available of the board that night: "we've run out of everything else." fair enough, but a good waiter will advise you of the specials up front and let you know if anything is off.

On the topic of the waiter, he was a smarmy little toad who kept buzzing around (more on him in a bit), after then selecting from the menu, we were told one selection wasn't available again! (7.30 pm on a Friday night!). We ordered oysters for entrée, which were schucked properly and we had to use knives to try and ply the flesh away from the shell ourselves, I've never experienced that at a place that charges well over $30 for a dozen oysters before.

I ordered steak and asked for it medium rare, it was cooked through and horribly dry (not to mention ridiculously small), but, what topped it off for us was the experience we had with our waiter and the wine list: we had ordered a bottle of wine which was $46 on the wine list. Our waiter came out shortly after we'd ordered and (without apologising at all really) said: "we don't have the wine you ordered, but what I'm gonna do is give you another bottle of south Australian wine, it's excellent wine, for the same price!" he made out like he was doing some massive favour for us, again, no apology, and brought back his "replacement bottle" before we even had a chance to agree.

Anyway, this wine was awful. Half way through the bottle we wondered how this putrid stuff could be worth well over $46 (which is what the waiter had implied when he told us he was doing this big favour). I looked at the wine list at this point only to discover that the bottle of wine he had brought us was cheaper than the one we had originally ordered, in fact it as pretty much the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu.

I was pretty livid, but didn't say anything til the bill came as I wanted to see what price he would charge us for the replacement (cheaper) bottle. Sure enough, the smarmy little toad charged us $46: the price of the bottle we'd originally ordered. I was so unimpressed, I did something I've never done before at a restaurant and walked straight up to the senior staff and complained.

He was equally rude and unapologetic. He basically implied: "it's only a few dollars, get over it." I explained that the amount of money wasn't the point, it was the sheer unprofessionalism and the fact the waiter had effectivlely been lying when he brought out the cheaper bottle. There was no real apology, they just marked down the bill showing the correct amount for the cheaper bottle we hadn't enjoyed at all and the waiter said "take two".

We paid no tip and walked out. Without doubt, the worst dining experience I've had in Melbourne. Makes shanghai dimpling look like a 5 star restaurant with flawless service. We won't be trying Magic City again until we hear that it's changed hands again and that smarmy little rude waiter has been given the boot.

Aug 29, 2009 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  7     

I visited this restaurant on a quiet Wednesday night and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of food on offer. The menu was a little on the pricey side but I was pleased with what was on offer. The waiting staff were attentive but not invasive and I left Magic City sated and eager to return.

May 08, 2009 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

Getting better again after a recent reno (although I couldn't make out any major differences). Asian based menu with very good, moderate markup winelist. Pleasant dining in winter or sunny lunch. Can get noisy. Often poor coffee (as in all of Camberwell).

Jan 13, 2008 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  9      Value  6     

Lovely looking place which invites in. However extremely noisy, so softening fabrics to be seen, or was it just the screaming/giggling ladies who had filled a table for 16. Service was smooth and helpful. Food a bit plain and serving smallish. Menu is quiet Asian, which is ok, however couple of other varieties would be nice. Wine list is bit on the expensive side but cheaper gems can be found. Average experience.

May 26, 2007