PM 24

4th October 2011

Happy Bday to me!! Since it was my bday i decided to treat myself and bring forward one of my restaurants that was planned to be visited in November. I therefore decided to finish number 42 and head to PM 24 for dinner.

We were shown through a high ceiling, with chandelier light fixtures and a black and white contemporary fit out to our seats. Opposite the open kitchen and especially the desert section i was able occasionally watch how the different deserts were put together and created.

The different styles of menu were explained by the charming confident and knowledgeable staff and provided assistance and recommendations when asked. Also offered with the main menu was an extensive drinks list with a wide selection of both french and Australian wines and also beer including some belgium Trappist beer including the one i choose, Chimay tripel.

Shortly after arrived the bread served hot and in a small old school grain sack. The hot bread melted the creamy french butter served on its own wooden board with a butter knife and pink salt.

For entree i decided to have something light, having been out for lunch as well. I went with the endive salad with blue cheese, walnuts, walnut vinegarette and baby beetroots. The fresh salad combined well with the salty strong blue cheese and the nutty walnuts. Good presentation and quality flavours.

For main course i went with the Malawi chicken cooked on a rotisserie to bring out the flavours and it was cooked perfectly. Delicately moist and full of flavour it came out on a bed of vegetable also cooked on the rotisserie style. I combined this with some suggestion from the wait staff with the potato gratin. A cheesy crisp crust on top covered the potatoes which were cooked well.

To finish up the meal i choose the Pistachio Souffle with caramel ice cream. Having been seated next to the desert station we had been watching the desert made for a while and the precision and look of the pistachio souffle won me over. A pistachio souffle mix was finished off with a sprinkle of pistachios embedded inside. The souffle itself was very smooth and had a strong pistachio flavour while the additional pistachios added extra texture and flavour and it was cooked perfectly maintaining its shape throughout. The only down point was there was too little caramel ice cream and it was situated right next to the hot souffle so had melted considerably by the time i had got halfway though.

After desert they offered a free french marshmallow which was soft and had a good strawberry flavour.

Overall a perfect example of french home style cooking with perfect technique and flavours. However given i had heard such great comments about the place ("best french restaurant in Melbourne") it left something on the table in terms of quality and rich french flavours. However this was truly great food and would recommend all french food lovers give it a try. Decent value, service and a cool interior rounded out a quality dinner to celebrate my birthday.