Bonus Item - Rock pool Part 2

13th December 2011

As Christmas approaches i received an invitation to a fund manager Christmas lunch with Zurich at Rockpool for both me and Greg.

Having arrived at the main reception area for Rockpool, we were shown through to a private section of the restaurant with 2 long tables. On each place was the menu for our lunch. As we had a specially booked group, we were given a choice of 4 entrees, 3 mains and 4 deserts rather than the full menu. We also were offered the option of tea, coffee and Candy Corn at the end.

After much deliberation, i decided to ignore the voice telling me to not have a meat dish followed by another meat dish and went for a starter of Wagyu Bolognaise with hand cut fettuccine. Velvety smooth pasta and a rich bolognaise with quality meat and covered in freshly shaved Parmesan.

My main course was a Slow roasted sirloin with modern Bearnaise sauce. Combined with sides of Potato and Cabbage gratin, mixed greens and salad and a selection of sauces. The meat was perfectly cooked and beautifully pink and the Bearnaise was great. The sides were also top quality with the potato and cabbage gratin of superb quality with a crisp crust on top.

For desert we had a dark chocolate pudding with chocolate sorbet. A dark chocolate pastry shell with a dark chocolate mousse like pudding and a crisp chocolate top that was topped with some salt and on the side a scoop of rich chocolate sorbet sitting on top of chocolate crumbs. The contrast of salt and sweet chocolate was incredible and the flavours were outstanding. Whilst people rave about the fresh produce and entrees and mains, it has been the two deserts i have had at Rockpool that have blown me away.

After that i finished with a pot of tea. Served in a clear tea pot and cup it was pretty cool and the tea was good. This was also combined with a few glasses filled with Candy Corn. Soft and a nice caramel outside it was it was amazing popcorn.

Overall was extremely happy to give Rockpool a second chance, with the wine flowing and quality food. Thank you to Joe and the Zurich team for the invite and Neil Perry (who was at Rockpool that day) for the quality restaurant and food. A great way to celebrate Christmas.