Holmesglen Institute's Cilantro Restaurant

"Cilantro restaurant within the Moorabbin Holmesglen Tafe Le Gordon Bleu cooking school offers a 3 course lunch for $38 per person + drinks. We had been meaning to get there for ages and finally we went. The menu was different from that initially listed when we made our booking which was a shame as had a really nice sounding vegetarian entree that thankfully contained no blue cheese which I absolutely loathe. Unfortunately the new menu's vegetarian option was blue cheese souffle! But they were able to offer me vegetarian fricassee instead. Husband had scallops with chorizo and pea puree. While for mains he had the salmon with snowpeas and potato while I had the mushroom tortellini. We were also given sides of broccollini with almonds, green beans and carrots (note the menu didn't list that mains came with extras). Then for dessert I had crepes suzette (disappointingly not set alight at the table) while husband had cheese platter (cheddar, goats and brie). We were also given nice little warm dinner rolls to accompany the little pots of herb butter on the table. And for drinks, 2 Chandon sparkling for me and Shiraz for him and coffees (soy lattes and flat white). 7.6.23 back for another $38 3 course meal. Husband had salmon rilette, 8 hour lamb in filo parcel and lemon mousse while I had pearl barley risotto, ratatouille in filo parcel and chocolate mousse. We also had coffees (flat whites and soy latte, unfortunately no decaf) and Proseccos. All up $108, can't beat that. Look forward to dining in next year. 3.8 lunch for 4, great bargain."

"Amazing food, the combination flavors , cooking , menu , value I can’t fault. Teacher that was supervising nervous , inexperienced students was fantastic. Waiters trying their best and doing so well. Better than restaurants I have been before that are meant to be 5 star quality, wish we could go each week, please add me as a VIP member I will turn up each time there is vacancy"

"Well this was my first visit to Cilantro, the hospitality and training restaurant run by hospitality students at the Holmesglen TAFE, Moorabbin campus, located at the back of the Holmesglen Private Hospital, at 488 South Road, Moorabbin, and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed. This was a High Tea served with a variety of beautifully presented and absolutely delicious authentic French food including soft rolls with smoked salmon, cream cheese and chive, Mini baps with roast beef, horseradish cream and rocket, Rye Viennawith ricotta, basil pesto, grilled aubergine, red capsicum, pea shoots, Scones, Crepes suzette, French patisseries, mousses and chocolates as well as tea and coffee. Just check out the mouth watering photos here. It's fully licensed and has an extensive beverage list including beers, spirits, cocktails and mocktails, as well as a wine list that includes house wines and cellar releases. The trainee staff are very polite and friendly and will go out of their way to make it a most enjoyable experience. The table service was excellent. Cilantro is only open during the Holmesglen school term and you do need to book as the sessions are extremely limited. Highly recommended!"

"I tasted deserts today and I was very disappointed! The lemon tart was hard to cut and served with citrus gelato instead of bitter chocolate ice cream as stated on their menu and the poached pineapple was just a spoon full out of the tin (not poached). The Crème caramel had citrus gelato as well and very bitter citrus fruit on the side. I also ordered Chocolate fondant & home-made vanilla ice cream which they never served. On top of all their mistakes, it was very, very expensive for the miniature sized portions. I only gave it 2 stars instead of more because the wait staff was very friendly. Would not recommend this restaurant!"

"I went for lunch and the experience was alright, as they were all students in training so. Food was OK, I thought only the entree was good because my main looked really sad and small. There was complementary food which I appreciated : two oysters, some fried potato-asparagus dish & small desserts."