East Handy Store — Restaurant in Victoria

This is a slice of world-class dining casually slipped into the back streets of East Bairnsdale, and it’s incredible. East Handy Store has a very strong emphasis on sense of place, and it reflects its surroundings. ‘A chef is only as good as their ingredients’ the saying goes, and head chef Josh takes this saying to heart. ‘Locally sourced’ is usually thrown about to mean ‘from Victoria in general, at least’ but in this case it means ‘just up the road’ or ‘over the neighbour’s fence.’ The whole menu is a demonstration of community collaborations, connections, and conversations.

I have to also mention the drinks. I’ve done plenty of bar crawls in my time, and hit up the very best Melbourne has to offer, but East Handy outclasses them all when it comes to pairings and palate. One of my favourite dishes (honourable mentions to the smoky sesame cauliflower, the clam chowder, and the bao bun) was the fruit-and-nut chocolate paired with a drink which was so perfectly matched it elevated the dessert to a sky-high level. The drinks throughout the whole evening were thoughtfully crafted for each individual’s tastes and preferences. I’d happily come here just to hang out at the bar.

The ambience was perfect — a communal gathering around the outdoor fire encouraged casual chat and emphasised the intimate and informal nature of the evening. The interior, however — where the night ended — was just beautiful. The slightly moody, contemporary design — with plenty of nods to the ghost of the milk bar past — is an art deco designer’s dream come true. I loved looking at all the details, from the emerald-green doors to the stained glass windows to the retro items decorating the bar (the bathroom is an experience in itself and contains a cabinet of curiosities).

The staff, of course, are fantastic. Josh is approachable and highly knowledgeable, Jackie is attentive, welcoming, and warm, and of course Antje is the perfect host, always checking in with diners and making sure there’s no leftover morsels.

My only complaint is that I ate so much I thought I’d die (Josh is absolutely brutal with his 16 courses), but at least I was going...

If you’re in the mood for vibrant exciting flavours, warm ambiance, and a social dining experience, this tapas restaurant delivers on all fronts. From the moment we arrived , the atmosphere felt inviting like a home—dim lighting, fire pit under the stars, rustic interesting decor, and the low hum of conversation which set the tone for a relaxed yet lively evening.

The menu offered a well-curated brave mix of traditional Spanish tapas and personally creative seasonal specials. We started with the most exquisite pork crackle drizzled in caramelised deliciousness…. But telling what we experienced with the food is cheating. You may wish to experience it yourself and wonder …..

Service was humble , warm and attentive with knowledgeable staff happy to explain dishes and suggest local wine and spirit pairings.

Overall, this very special place nails the spirit of tapas and fine dining: sharing, savoring, and enjoying the moment. It’s a perfect spot for a date night or an evening out with friends . We highly recommended any one to head down to East Handy store and experience a meal of a lifetime . Because that’s exactly...

Attended on a thursday evening, was greeted with a hand shake by the owner Josh, and shown to an outside seat by the fire.

Josh offered up a drink and a little bread to begin. We then headed inside to a homely well presented dinning room.

A local red was served (2019 Tambo Malakoff Nebbiolo) with tapas of unique, complex and most delicious variety. Perhaps of 7 or 8 types. Each round came accompanied with a detailed explanation of the ingredients and a little historical or cultural background.

The seafood Paella was fresh, spicy and delicious. Desert was a deceptively simple tart with a home made ice cream. One needs to take their time to really appreciate the flavour.

The level of service and attention to the quality and presentation of each dish definitely is something to be experienced. First class food. Complex flavours interwoven from a very well thought out combination of primarily locally sorced produce. Served with style and flare.

If you're looking for somewhere special and don't mind dropping some cash for good food the East Handy store is well worth a visit. Big ticks on all...