Another steadfast favourite, Mocha Jo’s is where we go when we don’t feel like Asian food, but want to go to Kingsway. They changed their menu for summer, shockingly cutting out a lot of our favourites. On the other hand, I like what I’ve seen, so it will be interesting to see if they change again for the new season.
Deconstructed lamb grill – chargrilled lamb, tzatziki, Greek salad, pita bread $23.90
Thankfully, picky eater’s #1’s favourite dish wasn’t cut. The deconstructed lamb grill (previously called “lamb souvlaki”) is a satisfying-looking bowl of meat and bread. I don’t think my friend’s ever eaten the salad that comes with it, but she understands when I steal the cucumber out of it. The tzatziki is not too garlicky.
LPC – Lemon pepper calamari, salad, chunky chips and tartare sauce $22.90
The other picky-eater favourite is calamari and chips. These are thick-cut rings that are lightly battered. Another salad, another target for cucumber theft.
Seafood linguine – tiger prawns, calamari, mussels, scallops, clams, chilli, napoli sauce, baby spinach $26.90
I’m pretty sure this used to only be a special, but on the summer menu is seafood linguine. Sufficiently huge amounts of seafood, and a light tomato sauce. This is probably my favourite pasta dish ever, and Mocha Jo’s does justice with its version.
Chicken and mushroom risotto – chicken, mushroom, baby spinach, tomato, basil pesto and white wine $22.90
The chicken and mushroom risotto is a new dish (the menu says “est 2000″, though). If I recall correctly, this was lighter than it looks, but it was a generous serving.
Blast from the Past
These dishes are not on the current menu, but may return at some point. I can’t remember them changing the menu before this year, so who knows what will happen when the seasons change again.
Baked NY Cheesecake
Unknown tart (possibly caramel…?)
We don’t often order dessert, especially when serving sizes are so generous, but these two photos were hanging out in my archive. I can’t even remember what the second one is, but I’m guessing it was from Valentine’s day. The cakes are definitely brought in from the some generic place, but they’re not terrible.
Grilled prawn salad
*sob* Goodbye, my friend. Hopefully I’ll eat see you again.
Butter chicken (with pita bread)
Soupy! I am assured that it was still very tasty.
Seafood risotto
With regards to seafood, I think that linguine is the superior vehicle. But I am willing to settle for risotto when it comes with so much shellfish.
Unknown ravioli
Obviously ravioli… but of what, and with what, I have no idea. Thank goodness I take photos of the menu as well as the food nowadays.
| Food |     |
| Seafood dishes are a clear winner for me – huge juicy prawns everywhere. Specials change weekly, but we haven’t been back since they changed the main menu. I wonder if they’ll keep it up. | |
| Ambience |    |
| Always crowded, always loud, and a bad way. You absolutely need to book, but we’ve always called up around lunchtime and still get a table. Definitely a discovered gem. | |
| Location |    |
| Smack in the middle of Kingsway. | |
| Service |    |
| Service is a little slow, but maybe just in comparison to the rest of Kingsway. Waitstaff are friendly, but clearly rushed off their feet. |