Some would say Mount Eliza’s sunniest spot is the middle of the village where the five roads meet, and that’s where you’ll find Mt. Terrasse, pronounced
‘Mount Teh-Russ’.
With its distinctly European vibe, Mt. Terrasse is a bar, espresso bar and bistro all in one. Stunning décor and the highest quality furnishings can be seen at every turn, and every detail – from the wall tiles to the glassware – has been personally overseen by owner Boyd. “I love our sunkissed outdoor area and wanted to create something unique to the area that reminds people of the atmosphere of parts of Europe,” he said. “It’s a culture I loved, and enjoying aperitifs and food with a drink is becoming more and more part of our culture too.”
You can choose to sit on the expansive outside terrace taking in the sun or inside at the bar on a bench seat or at one of the high or low tables. With bifold doors opening on to the terrace, inside quickly becomes outside with an open air feel.
The wine selection is a blend of local, Victorian, interstate and international labels. “Supporting local is important, alongside giving customers an experience,” Boyd said.
The variery of beer includes tap beer in Belgian beer glasses and pints, and European bottled beers in their own unique glasses. There is a European twist and feel to drinking socially. The ethos is set around having a balance of both draught/lagers and craft beer on tap for both traditional and trending drinkers. The standard line-up is draught, German lager, Tropical PA, Hazey PA, IPA and PA. This will vary with the taps rotating by season: fruity or sours in the warmer months and darker ales or stouts appearing during the colder months.
The Mt. Terrasse expresso bar proudly serves barista-made coffee using award-winning Industry Beans. If you’re too pushed for time to enjoy your cup at the bar, window service is available so you can simply order, grab and go. There are two coffee bean blends that deliberately suit two different styles of coffee: one blend for black coffee and another for milk. The black coffee blend is seasonal, changing four times a year for variety.
It’s hard to resist the patisserie display cabinet offering some of the Peninsula’s best patisseries and bread to enjoy with your coffee or as a sweet treat after a savoury dish.
The bistro menu is somewhat tapas-like without being limited to Spanish cuisine. It includes cheese dishes, charcuterie, and a range of small plates with a selection from the grill and an array of fresh, seasonal produce. The menu changes with some staple options and can include lamb cutlets, seafood/fish of the day, quality steak cuts, grilled mushrooms, tomato with goat’s cheese and frités. You can select individual cheeses on special from the cheese cabinet or order wine and cheese flights.
For those who want to pair drinks with more than cheese, the Mt. Terrasse graze ‘n cheers flights feature as specials a glass of chablis avec chèvre, pinot noir and pate de canard, Shiraz et Prosciutto/Jamon/mushrooms or champagne and oysters/caviar. There are also flights featuring delicious bites paired with the many beers from the tap and imported bottle range.
It hasn’t taken long for Mt. Terrasse to become known for its Instagrammable raclette experience, curated from Boyd’s time living in Switzerland. Raclette is a French word meaning ‘to scrape’. Using a traditional machine imported from Switzerland, bubbling melted and oozy Swiss cheese is grilled then scraped over artisan breads, potatoes, pickles, meats and more before your eyes. You can also choose to have raclette melted over any menu item, from a Wagyu beef special or prawns, lamb, la frites or vegetables – in fact, anything. From time to time, different styles and strengths of raclette will be featured, such as smoked, peppered or extra strength. This is one for the cheese fans looking to indulge themselves.
An uber-cool playlist provides extra atmosphere at Mt. Terrasse, and over the weekend it’s also the place for some live music out on the terrace.
Whether you are a Mount Eliza resident or frequent the village, a visitor passing through or a regular shopper at the monthly Mount Eliza Farmers Markets, there’s no better place to socialise, enjoy delicious dining and drinks, and ‘people watch’ than Mt. Terrasse.
Opening hours: early until late; check website
Mt. Terrasse Shop 2/87 Mount Eliza Way, Mount Eliza
www.mtterrasse.com.au Insta: mt.terrasse