• Time Out (Federation Square, Melbourne)

As an extraverted Gemini, I am influenced by people around me.  If everyone else is on holidays, then so am I.  And at Time Out in Federation Square, the holiday vibe was high.  Invited to try their new menu and see their new refurbished space, I arrived early one weekday lunch time to a sunny spot on the terrace.  Be warned, you will not want to return to the office after a few rays of vitamin D and a good dose of their signature mocktails.  Music was adding to the chilled ambience, set against the chatter of vacationers.

The ginger limeade was made with grated fresh ginger, giving an intense hit to the palate when gulped up and bitten into whole.  With fresh lime and lots of ice it was very refreshing.  The strawberry mocktail had a lot of fruit and was cooling, rather than sweet with apple juice, mint and lemon.  Our only complaint about these yummy summer beverages was that the straws were too thin to get the fruit.


The vegetarian options include pizzas, a sandwich, entrees, salad and risotto.  I opted for the pumpkin salad from the staff recommendation and it soon arrived with large slices of jap pumpkin covered by a perfectly placed mound of salad greens, sun dried and fresh tomatoes, Meredith fetta, pine nuts and a light dressing of oil, balsalmic and herbs.  It was a different way to present a pumpkin salad and I enjoyed it.  It was surprisingly satisfying.


The mushroom risotto balls were hot, soft in the middle, crisp on the outside and filled with cheese.  The mushroom taste was subtle but the textures were pleasant and the red capsicum mayo gave an extra bite.


Dessert was not necessary after substantial savouries, but tempted by the mars bard mousse cake, we shared it with ice-cream to finish the meal.  The mousse was firm and dense.  The chocolate ganache on top was equally dense and rich.


Time Out is no doubt busy for its location.  Looking out over the hyped-up-but-worth-of-it Federation Square, one can feel in the centre of this beautiful city.  The food was not exceptional, but it was agreeable.  With a beachie vibe and a table in the sun, what more can one want for lunch time respite?


Time Out
Federation Square
St Pauls Court
2 Swanston Street
Melbourne 3000
03 9671 3855
Time Out on Urbanspoon