Friend moved to Pakeham so naturally we had to suss out the local restaurants, and I’ve ONLY been to Shanikas at Viale, and ONLY want to go back to Shanikas at Viale, and I’m usually the one who loves exploring new places! (OK, so my “best in Pakenham” isn’t very well researched 😛 )

1ST VISIT (lunch):

TAGLIATELLE CARCIOFINI. Fresh tagliatelle pasta, tossed with capers, artichokes, prosciutto, garlic, chilli, and oregano. Stunning.

TASMANIAN SALMON. Crispy-skinned salmon fillet medium rare, with capsicum, rocket and parmesan salad, topped with a red onion, tomato, olive and basil salsa. Winning combo.

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE MOUSSE. A WHOLE LOT OF IT!!! And no one is complaining!

PROFITEROLES. Filled with a Nutella custard (oh god yes!) accompanied by figs, meringues, caramelised white chocolate, and a scoop of pistachio gelato and a balsamic reduction.
Now you might be wondering, where are the figs??? The chef had forgotten but my waitress promptly rectified the problem.
THIS WAS AMAZING. DESSERT OF THE YEAR. I DID NOT CALL MY BOYFRIEND JUST TO TELL HIM ABOUT IT. Words cannot describe how good this was.

2ND VISIT (dinner):

PAPPARDELLE BEEF RAGU. Fresh pappardelle pasta, with braised beef and a rich tomato ragu. Standard spag. bol. will never been good enough.

BEEF BRISKET. Braised beef brisket, on herb polenta and parsnip puree, with baby onions. Don’t need a knife, you can most certainly cut the beef with a fork, A KID’S SPOON! The onion was pointless though, zero flavour with an odd what-is-this texture…

CONFIT DUCK. Braised confit duck leg, served with chervil gnocchi and a mushroom, onion & parsnip ragu, topped with parmesan. Sensational.

PUTTANESCA. Fresh pappardelle pasta, with prawns, mussels, cockles, Moreton Bay bug, with capers, olives & anchovies, in chilli, garlic & tomato sauce. Every mouthful was a seafood explosion in my mouth. MORE PLEASE!

Ok, you would’ve notice the lack of dessert on our second visit, this is not through lack of trying. We had ordered the dessert platter of the day and some gelato, but after waiting for over 45 mins, the not-so-with-it waitress told us the dessert platter had sold out. No apology or explanation given, so we cancelled our order and left.
BUT, before we had even gotten home, the manager had looked up the bookings and given us a call! Wow, that was impressive, he offered his apologies and informed us the kitchen was in fact preparing a new platter for our table (well no one told us!!!). Anyways, he asked for our address so he can send out some vouchers… Aw… Bless him. Now THAT is service and taking ownership of your restaurant. Massive thumbs up!!!

Shanikas at Viale Pakenham Restaurant
7 Lakeside Boulevard
Pakenham VIC 3810
5941 7577

http://www.shanikas.com.au/pakenham/

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