LE GOURMET is the choice of my Melbourne foodie friendsby Madelyn Miller
The food is Austrian and Le Gourmet is fine dining at its best—so dignified and polite that you can’t help but feel a bit posh sitting in the elegant, carpeted, aborigine-toned dining room. Service is smooth and professional, the wine list is excellent and you must not leave without tasting the Salzburger nockerlna hot Austrian soufflé flavored with hazelnuts and chocolate chips and served with hot chocolate sauce, fresh fruit and homemade ice cream.
Owners Erich and Barbara Mohr have been serving up classical European food in a classically beautiful old terrace in East Melbourne for over 20 years. Insider’s Tip: try this popular power lunch restaurant in the evening when you can linger and enjoy. It is actually easier to book a table on a Saturday night than any day during the week for lunch. FOR MORE INFORMATIONLe Gourmet BEST WAY TO GET TO AUSTRALIA(800) 227-4500 Qantas.com GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
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One of the nice things about visiting a city is seeing old friends. And on a recent trip to Melbourne I arrived just a day before fellow food and travel writers Cherie and Walter Glaser left for India. They wanted to take me to their favorite restaurant, Le Gourmet. And not only did it set the benchmark for my five weeks in Australia, but it became one of my favorites, too. 
Walter knew exactly what he wanted—the gnocchi. And the owner even knew he would order it before Walter opened the menu. That dish has a loyal following. My duck breast was amazingly moist and tender and rates up their with the best duck I have ever tried.