Tulip Restaurant — Restaurant in Victoria

Have you ever watched one of those documentary episodes of Chefs table on Netflix and thought I would love to go to a place like this!!! Well we have it right here in Geelong right on pako street. Which as someone who misses the food experiences of Melbourne I couldn't be happier about. I took my fiance here for his birthday this week and wow what a delightful meal.

Tulip restaurant is a hidden gem of a place. Personal touches and one of the most inviting warm restaurants I have ever been to. The chef Mike is a bloody willy wonka of food. Our meal began with him greeting us at our table (a delightful touch) with a pre-dinner drink to start the appetite - I know he told us the hand made practice and the techniques he lovingly put into making this cooled tomato pesto drink, but I swear he did it with magic. My fiance and I grinned at each other and said this tastes like the best tomato in the world and all the best bits of it inside a small glass. THIS is what we live for when it comes to restaurants.

There is this beautiful window that looks like the scenes in those chefs show where you can see Chef mike at work. The glow of the light and the dried herbs that hang above is utter perfection. I just wanted to stare around the restaurant and take in all of its charm. While so often you can feel overwhelmed in restaurants this was a small peace of calm and warm ambience.

We got the 9 dishes 4 course dinner with wine pairing. Turns out the restaurant manager Dan was our waiter. Well he was just fantastic. He explained the food in detail that wasn't over the top but rather like someone guiding you through your meal. Now I love a chefs selection menu but you always sort of hold your breath. I am always hopeful that these meals are really a chefs selection and something they care for. This chefs selection menu is why these types of menus exist. Each and every wine was perfection, again I can be a bit apprehensive of someone choosing my wine but even the chardonnay (not always a Chardonnay person) was so smooth and delicate. Every dish felt thoughtful and portions were perfect. So don't worry it is not a solo tiny fig leaf on a plate vibes, there was absolutely no fear of leaving hungry. So when I say I put my chicken / chicken skin butter on my bread on my plate saving it because it was so good I didn't want to let it go but I also was nervous I'd fill up and leave no room for the rest of the delightful meals. While I was thoroughly full by the end of the meal, I can also tell you the crispy chicken butter on was well and truly eaten. I will be having dreams about that dish for awhile.

While I don't usually feel like writing essays and poorly written prose about restaurants I can tell you this place just felt like something else. The best bit too was that fiance and I kept saying we couldn't wait to come back before we even finishes our meal. It is beyond reasonably priced we most certainly will be returning. I have told so many friends, patients, all about this beautiful restaurant since going earlier this week.

If you are looking for an experience that isn't pretentious instead this restaurant celebrates food and the experience of eating it I could not recommend this restaurant more. I fear this place will get sick of me as I am already trying to find reasons to bring more...

Hidden in plain sight, Geelong's Tulip celebrates some of the region's best local seasonal produce and combines it with a touch that could only be described as refined and intentional.

Chef Mike Jacques' approach to elevated dining truly celebrates the region's finest. Take the corn dish, for example; a true celebration of every part of the humble vegetable, including the cobb and the husk. Corn hollandaise, corn ash, seaweed, red grape, and the crunch of almonds grace the plate, laced with just the right touch of goat cheese and charcoal oil. This is a dish that truly pays respect to the season and its produce and shows Tulip's passion for the region it exists within.

My favourite dish is the kangaroo, which I make an effort to enjoy on a weekly basis. It's sourced from the most ethical of farms and is just kissed lightly over the coals enough to give it a subtle hint of smoke. I pair it with manager Dan's recommended red wine of the night, which truly allows the dish to shine, and I have a memorable experience every single time.

The wine selection on offer is expertly curated. You'll find something new and interesting for your particular tastes week to week, which is another reason to pay these guys a regular visit. If beer is your thing, there are plenty of excellent locals on offer, including Geelong's own Valhalla.

The cocktail list evolves with the seasons, just as the food does. The curator of the list, Sascha, brings the fun and flavour with his seasonal takes on classics like the negroni and old fashioned.

The service could be described as attentive, yet relaxed. The overall atmosphere, in combination with this, makes dining at Tulip enjoyable in a way that differs from other elevated dining experiences. You will feel inclined to take your time and get yourself another glass of wine whilst you soak in the sights, scents, and flavours unique to Tulip's brand.

All in all, I highly recommend you give Tulip a try on your next date night or work catch up. You'll find excellent value for money, attentive service, approachable and interesting dishes, and plenty of knowledge to get you the drink your tastebuds have...

We dined at Tulip last night and were blown away not only by the food, but by the experience and accommodation of the staff. The venue is situated on a gorgeous laneway, and the restaurant is intimate, clean yet quiet and noise does not echo. We were greeted with the drink menu which has an impressive variety of cocktails, wines and beers. I appreciate the option of being able to order a 'half glass' of wine too - useful when you can't decide like me!

The chef came over with a complimentary tomato and burnt chive oil drink which was a lovely way to start the meal and the flavours were incredibly fresh, unique and moreish - I would come back for this alone! We had the set menu and had a gluten free member on the table - the kitchen was amazingly compromising for this and provided gluten free options for everything. We also opted to not have the lamb on the menu and they were happy to replace it with another main dish. We were served bread, a buckwheat cracker, olives and butter as well as tomatoes and ricotta as entrees - so fresh! A dish of snapper, nasturtium and peas followed which was the best dish I have ever eaten at a restaurant. Mains consisted of a roast chicken with hazelnuts and a rich gravy with a side of potatoes and rosmary butter and a bitter leaf salad. We never order dessert out but were so impressed we had to give it a try - and it didn't disappoint! A chocolate caramel fudge with puffed barley and a malted milk ice cream, a taste bud tantalising adventure that left us all wanting more.

In addition, the staff wished me a happy birthday which was very special. I will definitely be coming back here in the future. Thanks for the wonderful...