Lost Cat

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It’s one of the more unassuming doorways gracing the dining strip of this seaside town, but it’s one of the most hectic. Locals have embraced Lost Cat like, well, a prodigal kitten. Indeed chef Zac Nicholson (ex-Rockpool Bar & Grill) is a returning son of Warrnambool, and he understands how locals like to eat: no frippery, just amped-up flavours cleverly applied to produce grown nearby.

The concise menu changes weekly. Often there’ll be local snapper, perhaps a tartare sharpened by orange and white soy dressing. Find room on the table for a balloony wedge of focaccia. Steak - a menu mainstay - always comes with a flavour-bomb butter on top, chips on the side. Sometimes there’s coq au vin, other weeks Holstein schnitzels proudly sporting anchovies and an egg.

Customers leave lemons in the hope chef will make his impossibly fluffy lemon meringue pie. This is country dining to make city restaurants take note.

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You've used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.