Went there for the first time in my life and I’m definitely coming back!
Food was nice, the music was good, a really chic and relaxing vibe to it. The pork rib and beef cheek were very tender, and very well marinated. Portion size was just right. Price was reasonably cheap!

Good place to hang out after a full day of work :)

Fusion. It’s a word that gets you excited, because one of the more exciting things in life is fusing yourself with something, or someone, isn’t it? Lanai pitch themselves as an Asian fusion restaurant, but the impression The Dear Luncher got was that it was just a pub food menu with an Asian slant to it. NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT. These guys manage to successfully build a few culinary bridges, but Your Dear Luncher thinks the tag-line of Asian fusion is perhaps not quite on the mark.

Still, all that aside this particular venue offers up a fair bit for the shrewd glutton. Let’s start off with the surrounds. Plenty of options: inside, outside, balcony seating. Superb for large groups and events, and there were certainly a lot of those happening given it’s the silly season. Plenty of space, well air-conditioned and attentive staff. There are some excellent express lunch options which help take the thinking out of it. Most of these options are $16 and involve an alcoholic beverage too. This is good. On this particular day there was also an Angus steak express lunch option for $20 that involved chips and ‘slaw on the side – game ON.

The Dear Luncher smashed down a Bridge Road Bling IPA first and foremost, and then made his way through the medium-rare steak with a glass of the house red. This experience was fairly good, particularly as it only cost $20. The cut of meat was perhaps a little bit awkwardly prepared. Being diced up the way it was there was a bit of unevenness about it. Some parts were indeed as per the specified medium-rare, whilst other portions were closer to medium-well. No big deal, but worth noting.

Lanai is good. The Dear Luncher loves wide open spaces and so this could indeed be a good option for those moments in old Melbourne town when places just get way too HECTIC.