Bar Saracen in Punch Lane named People’s Choice winner in Melbourne’s delicious.100 2018

A restaurant described tongue-in-cheek as “of Middle Eastern appearance” has won the hearts of Melbourne diners being crowned the delicious.100 People’s Choice winner. SEE THE TOP 10 AS VOTED BY YOU

Dan Stock and Megan Miller

2 min read

December 2, 2018 - 8:00AM

Sunday Herald Sun

delicious.100

Don't miss out on the headlines from delicious.100. Followed categories will be added to My News.

A restaurant described tongue-in-cheek as “of Middle Eastern appearance” has won the hearts of Melbourne diners.

Bar Saracen in the CBD has taken out the 2018 delicious.100 People’s Choice Award.

After the Sunday Herald Sun’s three food reviewers ranked Victoria’s top 100 restaurants in the delicious.100 released a fortnight ago, the list was opened up for readers to have their say. More than 8000 votes were cast, with restaurants moving up and down the rankings.

SCROLL DOWN AND CLICK THE BLUE INTERACTIVE FOR THE FULL LIST

TASTIEST STEAKS IN MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE’S 12 BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANTS

Bar Saracen in Melbourne’s CBD has taken out the 2018 delicious. Picture: Supplied

The Middle Eastern restaurant is a Melbourne favourite. Picture: Supplied

Joseph Abboud and Ari Vlassopoulos outside their restaurant Bar Saracen in Punch Lane. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Named after the Arab armies that fought in the Crusades, Bar Saracen brings two of Melbourne’s great hospitality talents together in chef Joseph Abboud and front-of-house pro Ari Vlassopoulos.

Their smart 50-seat Punch Lane restaurant serves such dishes as fried okra with lemon, hummus with prawns and paprika, and salt grass lamb with baba ganoush, and was ranked 27 in the original list.

With Bar Saracen taking the People’s Choice crown, it was a one-two win for Middle Eastern restaurants, with South Yarra’s modern Turkish restaurant Yagiz rocketing up list from 44 to second spot once readers had their say.

REGIONAL RESTAURANTS WORTH THE ROADTRIP

BEST FOOD WITH A VIEW IN VICTORIA

Critics and diners alike were in agreement about last year’s People’s Choice winner, Armadale fine diner Amaru, which came in at number 3 on both lists.

Bar Saracen’s Abboud said it was a great thrill to have the restaurant so well received by diners, given it was just nine months old.

“We’re a small restaurant but everyone who comes in is blown away with the deliciousness of the food,” he said.

“We have a great set of regulars. There’s an element of pleasant surprise with the food. People come in, kick back and let Ari do what he does so well.”

A platter from Bar Saracen. Picture: Supplied

Ari Vlassopoulos serving diners at Bar Saracen Picture: Alex Coppel.

Following publication of the delicious.100, many restaurants reported spikes in bookings and inquiries. The list was also popular online, with the #delicous100 hashtag reaching more than 1.1 million people and posts achieving more than 1.3 million impressions.

Merricks’ Pt Leo Estate, which was crowned No. 1, reported at least a 20 per cent surge in bookings for its main dining room and fine diner Laura, requiring extra staffing shifts in its reservations team. Its social media accounts also enjoyed a healthy boost in follower numbers.

“The phones have been running hot since publication and booking inquiries have increased significantly,” said culinary director Phil Wood.

“We feel incredibly honoured to have received number one after our first year of trade. We’ve been inundated with calls congratulating us. It’s great to have the opportunity to help shine a light on the Mornington Peninsula and its fabulous community of farms and restaurants.”

To see both delicious.100 lists, visit heraldsun.com.au/delicious.100