Tavlin | Elsternwick | A Chronicle of Gastronomy

Tavlin - Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Turkish harissa, Fried eggplant, Corn, Israeli olives and pickled cucumber (Six salads and two laffas $25)

22 Jan Tavlin, Caulfield South

Posted at 17:53h in Caulfield South, Food, Middle Eastern, Restaurants, Tavlin by A Chronicle of Gastronomy 0 Comments

Tavlin means spice in Hebrew, and it’s a fitting name for a restaurant that brings hearty flavours and Middle Eastern spices to the plate.

A selection of dips gets things started – Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Turkish Harissa, Fried eggplant, Corn, Israeli olives and pickled cucumber. The tangy baba ganoush is their second most popular dip after the creamy hummous – they make over 80kg of this chickpea dip every single week.

Tavlin - Lamb and pine nut kibbeh - Homemade finely ground cracked wheat and spices stuffed w prime lamb, pine nuts and onion (3 for $9) Pumpkin spinach and fetta kibbeh - Homemade spiced pumpkin and spinach w fetta (3 for $9)

Tavlin (13) Pumpkin spinach and fetta kibbeh - Homemade spiced pumpkin and spinach w fetta (3 for $9)

Tavlin - Falafel Balls with Green Tahini - Crispy Chickpea and Herb Patties Served with Green Tahini Sauce (6 for $8) — Falafel Balls with Green Tahini - Crispy Chickpea and Herb Patties Served with Green Tahini Sauce (6 for $8)

The little puck-shaped Falafels are made from chickpeas and herbs, coming with a green tahini and mango chutney with a curry flavour running through. The Lamb and Pine Nut Kibbeh, and Pumpkin, Spinach and Fetta Kibbeh are also tasty bites. The vegetarian kibbeh in particular was quite good, and had the added surprise of soft fetta in the centre.

Tavlin - Fried cauliflower - Cauliflower florets fried in egg batter ($9) — Fried cauliflower - Cauliflower florets fried in egg batter ($9)

Tavlin - Moroccan beef cigars - Homemade delicately spiced minced beef and onions, wrapped in fine pastry served on green tahini (3 for $10.5) — Moroccan beef cigars - Homemade delicately spiced minced beef and onions, wrapped in fine pastry served on green tahini (3 for $10.5)

Tavlin - Grilled chicken skewer w Syrian seasoning ($8) Grilled lamb skewer ($9) Grilled kofta skewer - minced veal and lamb ($8) Red and white slaw wlemon vinaigrette ($8) Tabbouli ($8) — Grilled chicken skewer w Syrian seasoning ($8) Grilled lamb skewer ($9) Grilled kofta skewer - minced veal and lamb ($8) Red and white slaw wlemon vinaigrette ($8) Tabbouli ($8)

Tavlin’s famous Moroccan Beef Cigars do not disappoint. The beef is well seasoned and spiced, and the pastry is thin, flakey and crisp. Great with a sip of red wine. The skewers are all on point too. The lamb is tender and the chicken is super juicy. We pair them with a range of salads, from the refreshing Tabouli salad, to the tangy Slaw, and the ingredients taste very fresh. Chips are also an option, and they’re incredibly crispy.

Tavlin - Chocolate and hazelnut mousse ($9,90) Israeli halva ($2 ea) Malabi - Rosewater custard served with rose syrup and pistachios ($9,90) Persian pistachio ice cream (3 scoops for $9,90) Baklava (2 for $5) — Chocolate and hazelnut mousse ($9,90) Israeli halva ($2 ea) Malabi - Rosewater custard served with rose syrup and pistachios ($9,90) Persian pistachio ice cream (3 scoops for $9.90) Baklava (2 for $5)

There’s a selection of desserts to conclude dinner: a creamy Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse, squares of Israeli Halva that melt in the mouth, delicately flavoured Persian Pistachio Ice Cream, and my personal favourite, Baklava. Something less commonly seen in Melbourne is the Malabi – a soft and smooth rosewater custard served with rose syrup and pistachios. Wash everything down with hot mint tea.

The menu at Tavlin is full of honest, uncomplicated and flavoursome Middle Eastern food. Add a bit of tavlin to your life.