15 Jul Highlander Bar, Melbourne CBD

After acquiring a birthday voucher for the venue, we dropped in to Highlander Bar for a quick post-uni/work celebratory feast before returning home. Though I’ve visited Highlander Bar previously, I didn’t try much of the menu so this was a good opportunity to see what else was on offer.

Bison Fling – Bison Vodka, Blackberry Juice, Cloudy Apple, Cucumber, Spices ($18)

This cocktail was a bit of a surprise. Made with Bison vodka, blackberry juice, cloudy apple, cucumber and spices, one sip and I was instantly reminded of hoisin sauce. It was an interesting combination, but not necessarily a bad one.

Grilled Corn with Chilli Lime Butter ($6)

The grilled corn was slathered in a tasty chilli lime butter, and though the corn wasn’t as sweet and juicy as corn can be, it was still a great snack.

Croquettes – Smoked Haddock and Tattie Croquettes with House Pickles and Tartare ($10)

I particularly liked the smoked fragrance and flavour of the haddock and how smooth the innards of the croquettes were.

Scottish Rolls – Pork and Black Pudding Sausage Rolls with House BBQ Sauce ($12)

The Scottish rolls didn’t quite stand out after the other two snack plates. It sounded interesting on paper, being made with pork and black pudding. A2 liked the pastry, but we all found the meat filling to be dry and a bit plain. It really needed the BBQ sauce for moisture and flavour, and thankfully it was quite good.

Fat Bastard – Double Chargrilled Spiced Wagyu Beef Pattie, Double Cheese, House Pickles, Malt Whisky Ketchup, Mustard, Brioche, Seasoned Fried ($18)

I didn’t try any of it, but J thought his burger was pretty good. Named the Fat Bastard, the brioche bun contained double char-grilled wagyu pattie, double cheese, house pickles, malt whisky ketchup and mustard.

Spiced Minced Wagyu, Guac, Cabbage, Salsa, Cheese, Chipotle Mayo, Herbs; Crispy Chicken, Guac, Tomato Salsa, Cabbage, Herbs Jalapeno Mayo; Crispy Fish, Lime Avocado, Green Apple, Cabbage, Mayo

Falafel, Salsa, Cabbage, Eggplant Dip; Crispy Chicken, Guac, Tomato Salsa, Cabbage, Jalapeno Mayo; Crispy Fish, Lime Avocado, Green Apple, Cabbage, Mayo, Herbs ($6 each)

We then proceeded to gorge ourselves on tacos. Between the three of us, we sampled each of the flavours available. There was spiced minced wagyu, guac, cabbage, tomato salsa, cheese and chipotle mayo; crispy chicken with guac, tomato salsa, cabbage and jalapeno mayo; crispy fish, lime, avocado, green apple, and mayo; and falafel, with salsa, cabbage and eggplant dip. A2 really enjoyed the falafel – the eggplant dip may have had something to do with it. The beef taco was tasty, though could have done with a bit more moisture. Out of the four, my favourite was the fish taco which was textural and refreshing.

Highlander Bar
11a Highlander Lane
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
(03) 9620 2228
http://highlanderbar.squarespace.com/