21st April 2011
With a trip up to Brisbane for Easter to visit my parents, i finally got to go to Alchemy. Our previous attempts to go to Alchemy have been thwarted and i had been keen to go ever since my brother and parents went there a while ago.
After having a drink in the bar waiting area, we were shown to our seats in a dining room with a cool open high ceiling room with large open windows offering brilliant views of the storey bridge and the Brisbane river. It added a great ambiance to the exemplary cooking that would follow.
Starting with an entree of scallops, roasted chorizo with a Parmesan foam. Great combos of flavours and textures combined for a great dish.
This was followed by a main course of wagyu rump cooked to perfection and sliced, combined with a harissa puree and a red onion marmalade which complemented the beef. Along with a thinly sliced and arranged in a box form boulangerie potato that worked well with the beef.
For desert i choose the caramelised white chocolate cheesecake which was piped between 2 pink coconut macaroons accompanied with a cherry sorbet. Each part of this dish was amazing on its own right but when combined together it created a superlative dish. The softer sweet white chocolate and macaroon combined with the tart cherry sorbet for an excellent combo of flavours.
To finish the meal we went for the Liquid Nitrogen Gastronomic Nibbles. 3 different flavours in a mousse form that were dipped into the liquid nitrogen and served immediately. Eaten still cold the nibbles had a crisp shell and provided strong clean flavours. However the texture was interesting with the mixture sticking to the tongue initially and then becoming softer and able to be eaten. The smoking effect whilst eating was entertaining and flavours good, i feel that this novelty would be a once off eating adventure in this form.
Overall a strong meal with some distinct quality flavours and nice additional fancy elements with the desert being the standout dish. Combined with the overall presentation of the dining room and the theatre of the food adding an extra element to the meal it was a restaurant worthy of the high praise and well worth the wait.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Bistro Vue
16th April 2011
With the parents down to see Rock of Ages, we decided to finish number 13 off my list of restaurants and fortunately there was nothing unlucky about the choice of Bistro Vue. The little sister of the famous 3 Hat Vue Du Monde, this restaurant has a bit more of a french bistro feel both in terms of decor and cuisine. Walking in on a cozy and comfortable dinning room, they immediately offered to take and hang our coats, a touch above your typical french bistro.
We then proceeded to view the wine list which was plentiful without being encyclopedic and whilst the mark ups on the wine was noticeable it wasn't so outrageously extravagant.
Given our late lunch (3:30pm) the restaurant was relatively free of patrons and as such we were served with speed and dedication. However it would be interesting to see if the same level of service would be given later on the Saturday night for dinner.
For starters i choose the Duck salad which combined excellent duck breast combined with a fresh salad with crunchy crouton disks and a single small egg held in the middle. It was truly amazing starter and a precursor for the level of excellence of food that was to come. My parents choose the starter pastas with one being the truffle pasta and the other seafood pasta. Well cooked pasta was combined with strong distinctive flavours that showed off precision french technique combined with hearty Italian flavours.
My brother choose the soft shell crab which still maintained the shape of a crab but with soft moist meat and combined with the mojo sauce was very good.
For main course i went with the lamb wellington. Beautiful tender pieces of lamb encased in a pastry with finely saved vegetables that showed the precision and thought that goes into every dish. It was truly amazing both from a presentation of the meal and the taste.
Both my parents and brother choose the steak, with my parents sharing a rib eye cooked on the bone and presented in thick juicy slices beautifully presented on a wooden board. Combined with the full assortment of sauces and extremely thick block of chips that despite their size maintained a crisp outside with a soft potato inside. My brother choose the rum cap which was also cooked to perfection and also included the same chips.
For desert i went with the chestnut mousse, confit orange and biscuit crumble. Very nice flavours and the combination of sweet orange and richer chestnut make for a good combo but for me their was too much orange scattered through the dish so that the texture was not a pleasant as the taste was.
Both my brother and mum had the chocolate souffle which arrived and a large souffle with the top well above the dish. Here is where some additional theatre and cooking technique was shown off. Our waiter plunged a knife in the middle of both souffles which perfectly maintained their shape and poured a generous serve of melted chocolate in the middle of the desert. And the taste was amazing. Presentation and taste of this desert was first rate. My father had the cheese platter which he always enjoyed but i maintain is not a real desert.
Followed off with some excellent coffees (or so i was told) and an Armagnac for brother and father completed the meal. Whilst the cost was not cheap (thanks parents) nobody complained about the value given the quality of the food and the overall service and presentation of the meal. One of my favourites so far and well worth the visit, hat and the best french restaurant i have been to in melbourne.
With the parents down to see Rock of Ages, we decided to finish number 13 off my list of restaurants and fortunately there was nothing unlucky about the choice of Bistro Vue. The little sister of the famous 3 Hat Vue Du Monde, this restaurant has a bit more of a french bistro feel both in terms of decor and cuisine. Walking in on a cozy and comfortable dinning room, they immediately offered to take and hang our coats, a touch above your typical french bistro.
We then proceeded to view the wine list which was plentiful without being encyclopedic and whilst the mark ups on the wine was noticeable it wasn't so outrageously extravagant.
Given our late lunch (3:30pm) the restaurant was relatively free of patrons and as such we were served with speed and dedication. However it would be interesting to see if the same level of service would be given later on the Saturday night for dinner.
For starters i choose the Duck salad which combined excellent duck breast combined with a fresh salad with crunchy crouton disks and a single small egg held in the middle. It was truly amazing starter and a precursor for the level of excellence of food that was to come. My parents choose the starter pastas with one being the truffle pasta and the other seafood pasta. Well cooked pasta was combined with strong distinctive flavours that showed off precision french technique combined with hearty Italian flavours.
My brother choose the soft shell crab which still maintained the shape of a crab but with soft moist meat and combined with the mojo sauce was very good.
For main course i went with the lamb wellington. Beautiful tender pieces of lamb encased in a pastry with finely saved vegetables that showed the precision and thought that goes into every dish. It was truly amazing both from a presentation of the meal and the taste.
Both my parents and brother choose the steak, with my parents sharing a rib eye cooked on the bone and presented in thick juicy slices beautifully presented on a wooden board. Combined with the full assortment of sauces and extremely thick block of chips that despite their size maintained a crisp outside with a soft potato inside. My brother choose the rum cap which was also cooked to perfection and also included the same chips.
For desert i went with the chestnut mousse, confit orange and biscuit crumble. Very nice flavours and the combination of sweet orange and richer chestnut make for a good combo but for me their was too much orange scattered through the dish so that the texture was not a pleasant as the taste was.
Both my brother and mum had the chocolate souffle which arrived and a large souffle with the top well above the dish. Here is where some additional theatre and cooking technique was shown off. Our waiter plunged a knife in the middle of both souffles which perfectly maintained their shape and poured a generous serve of melted chocolate in the middle of the desert. And the taste was amazing. Presentation and taste of this desert was first rate. My father had the cheese platter which he always enjoyed but i maintain is not a real desert.
Followed off with some excellent coffees (or so i was told) and an Armagnac for brother and father completed the meal. Whilst the cost was not cheap (thanks parents) nobody complained about the value given the quality of the food and the overall service and presentation of the meal. One of my favourites so far and well worth the visit, hat and the best french restaurant i have been to in melbourne.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Movida Next Door - Bonus Item
9th April 2011
Despite not being on the list i thought i would give an review of my trip to Movida Next Door. Having gone to this restaurant by accident believing it to be Movida and believing that 1 Hosier Lane would be on the corner i entered a cramp small but well presented space with a cool funky vibe with only room at the bar even at 4pm. I entered starving and despite the tapas style menu left full and extremely satisfied with my meal and only slightly disappointed that i had eaten at Movida Next Door rather than the 2 Hat Movida.
Starting with a selection of Tapas including the Croqueta, Bomba y Pollo. I was presented with very simplistically presented dishes served on ceramic plates. The basic presentation however belied a skill and excellence in cooking and flavour.
Starting with the Croqueta filled with wild mushrooms. It started with a flavour extravaganza with a full mushroom flavour encased with a crisp outer shell. The Bomba included a chorizo centre surrounded by a potato filling and a similar crisp outer casing. Covered in a spicy sauce that was to die for, the Bomba really hit the spot and was something to come back for.
Served slightly after the first 2 tapas was the Pollo. Chicken grilled to perfection and still moist and succulent it was marinaded in a flavourful base similar to Portuguese piri piri without the full hit of spice but definately not lacking for taste and flavour.
After these initial dishes i went onto the Raciones. I choose the Cerdo, confit pork belly, with such a crisp crackling on top that it had to be careful done so as not to lose the food to the floor, with Escabache puree and Piparra Peppers. The full flavoured confit pork mix well with the puree and slightly pickled peppers. Great use of technique and flavours created an exquisite dish that that was also simply but elegantly presented.
To finish off i decided on a Spanish favourite that i thoroughly enjoyed many times whilst both in Spain and here in Melbourne, Churros with rich chocolate. Soft and delicious churros matched with a very rich dark chocolate. The number of Churros didn't match the amount of chocolate so i was forced to pick up the spoon provided and finish the delicious chocolate without any Churros accompaniment.
A amazing place to go just for a short quick meal before heading on to other things represented a more Melbourne feel rather than a long Spanish lunch but dishes were bought out quickly but never felt rushed. Accompanied with a couple of bottles of Moritz later (which i haven't had since i was in Barcelona 2 years ago and always enjoy) it was a great meal that i was thoroughly happy with (even if it wasn't Movida) and leaves me excited and looking forward to the 2 Movida restaurants on the list.
Despite not being on the list i thought i would give an review of my trip to Movida Next Door. Having gone to this restaurant by accident believing it to be Movida and believing that 1 Hosier Lane would be on the corner i entered a cramp small but well presented space with a cool funky vibe with only room at the bar even at 4pm. I entered starving and despite the tapas style menu left full and extremely satisfied with my meal and only slightly disappointed that i had eaten at Movida Next Door rather than the 2 Hat Movida.
Starting with a selection of Tapas including the Croqueta, Bomba y Pollo. I was presented with very simplistically presented dishes served on ceramic plates. The basic presentation however belied a skill and excellence in cooking and flavour.
Starting with the Croqueta filled with wild mushrooms. It started with a flavour extravaganza with a full mushroom flavour encased with a crisp outer shell. The Bomba included a chorizo centre surrounded by a potato filling and a similar crisp outer casing. Covered in a spicy sauce that was to die for, the Bomba really hit the spot and was something to come back for.
Served slightly after the first 2 tapas was the Pollo. Chicken grilled to perfection and still moist and succulent it was marinaded in a flavourful base similar to Portuguese piri piri without the full hit of spice but definately not lacking for taste and flavour.
After these initial dishes i went onto the Raciones. I choose the Cerdo, confit pork belly, with such a crisp crackling on top that it had to be careful done so as not to lose the food to the floor, with Escabache puree and Piparra Peppers. The full flavoured confit pork mix well with the puree and slightly pickled peppers. Great use of technique and flavours created an exquisite dish that that was also simply but elegantly presented.
To finish off i decided on a Spanish favourite that i thoroughly enjoyed many times whilst both in Spain and here in Melbourne, Churros with rich chocolate. Soft and delicious churros matched with a very rich dark chocolate. The number of Churros didn't match the amount of chocolate so i was forced to pick up the spoon provided and finish the delicious chocolate without any Churros accompaniment.
A amazing place to go just for a short quick meal before heading on to other things represented a more Melbourne feel rather than a long Spanish lunch but dishes were bought out quickly but never felt rushed. Accompanied with a couple of bottles of Moritz later (which i haven't had since i was in Barcelona 2 years ago and always enjoy) it was a great meal that i was thoroughly happy with (even if it wasn't Movida) and leaves me excited and looking forward to the 2 Movida restaurants on the list.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Estivo
1st April 2011.
I have now completed a dozen restaurants (or as Lyd tried to suggest a Baker's dozen). We decided to go a local restaurant called Estivo. Situated in an non descript stretch of suburban road belied a polished and beautiful dining room .
Inviting 2 friends we decided to just go with main course and desert and some excellent wine. Despite a limited by the glass selection we each selected a wine that we thoroughly enjoyed and had a couple of glasses each to accompany our meals.
For main course i had a beautifully cooked and pink duck breast. Well cooked, although the skin could have been more crispy, it was complemented with a duck leg, still on the bone which easily came away, encased in an onion tart. Soft cooked onion encased in a crisp and well cooked pastry. It was the most amazing part of the dish and combined with a carrot puree and a beautiful duck jus, it made for a wonderful dish.
Lyd, had a plate of tuna pieces with an enoki mushroom tempura. She claimed it was delicious and despite it being a entree, she said it was very filling and didn't even try a desert.
Clare, choose the Spanner Crab with linguine with a white wine, tomatoes and chilli. Clare said she enjoyed it immensely but for me it tasted rather bland and lack any substantial flavour.
For desert, both me and Clare chose the Valrhona chocolate Pave with peaches and a cinnamon ice cream. It was amazing, especially the Pave, that was beautifully complemented by the soft syrupy peaches and delicately cinnamon flavoured ice cream.
I have now completed a dozen restaurants (or as Lyd tried to suggest a Baker's dozen). We decided to go a local restaurant called Estivo. Situated in an non descript stretch of suburban road belied a polished and beautiful dining room .
Inviting 2 friends we decided to just go with main course and desert and some excellent wine. Despite a limited by the glass selection we each selected a wine that we thoroughly enjoyed and had a couple of glasses each to accompany our meals.
For main course i had a beautifully cooked and pink duck breast. Well cooked, although the skin could have been more crispy, it was complemented with a duck leg, still on the bone which easily came away, encased in an onion tart. Soft cooked onion encased in a crisp and well cooked pastry. It was the most amazing part of the dish and combined with a carrot puree and a beautiful duck jus, it made for a wonderful dish.
Lyd, had a plate of tuna pieces with an enoki mushroom tempura. She claimed it was delicious and despite it being a entree, she said it was very filling and didn't even try a desert.
Clare, choose the Spanner Crab with linguine with a white wine, tomatoes and chilli. Clare said she enjoyed it immensely but for me it tasted rather bland and lack any substantial flavour.
For desert, both me and Clare chose the Valrhona chocolate Pave with peaches and a cinnamon ice cream. It was amazing, especially the Pave, that was beautifully complemented by the soft syrupy peaches and delicately cinnamon flavoured ice cream.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Koots Salle a Manger
11th March 2011
After telling my workmate Justin about the list, he and his girlfriend Lucy were very excited about joining me and helping ticking off one item from the list. We settled on Koots Salle A Manger as it was close to work and offered a great menu.
Despite booking well in advance the restaurant was booked out at 7 & 730 so we had to settle for a 630 booking. We arrived into a clean and modern dining space with a full bar. We were the first people to arrive for dinner that night before the dining room filled up.
We decide to really go all out with a full 3 course meal. The first course involve me ordering the braised squid, local mussels and warm kipfler potato salad with aioli and bouillabaisse foam. Thin slices of braised squid and a few mussels with a soft delicate sauce that was balanced and flavourful.
Justin and Lucy decided to share the 'La terre, La Mer et La Jardin'. Presented perfectly and a wide selection of dishes, they both enjoyed the majority of the dishes although I'm not sure oysters are for Justin and Lucy given the tentative way they ate it and the faces they made whilst eating them.
Following the starter i went for the Rabbit saddle with grilled polenta, black trumpet mushroom and fresh fig. This was one of the best dishes i have had since i started the list. Amazingly cooked rabbit, with soft grilled polenta and an amazing sauce. Just an amazing dish that exemplifies french cooking at its best.
We accompanied this with a couple of sides of french fries and a witlof, with sliced apple, walnuts and blue cheese salad. Great accompaniments for the dishes as well as delicious in its own right.
The final dish was a lime panna cotta with a topping of strawberries with strawberry tart. A great panna cotta with deliciously clean fresh flavours. The only disappointment was the strawberry tart which just involved a strip of pastry covered in sliced strawberries. It was good but required something extra either extra icing sugar or something that gave it an extra wow factor.
An amazing meal that ranks as one of my favourite meals so far on the list. Everything about the meal; service, decor, wine & drinks list and of course the food was absolutely first rate.
After telling my workmate Justin about the list, he and his girlfriend Lucy were very excited about joining me and helping ticking off one item from the list. We settled on Koots Salle A Manger as it was close to work and offered a great menu.
Despite booking well in advance the restaurant was booked out at 7 & 730 so we had to settle for a 630 booking. We arrived into a clean and modern dining space with a full bar. We were the first people to arrive for dinner that night before the dining room filled up.
We decide to really go all out with a full 3 course meal. The first course involve me ordering the braised squid, local mussels and warm kipfler potato salad with aioli and bouillabaisse foam. Thin slices of braised squid and a few mussels with a soft delicate sauce that was balanced and flavourful.
Justin and Lucy decided to share the 'La terre, La Mer et La Jardin'. Presented perfectly and a wide selection of dishes, they both enjoyed the majority of the dishes although I'm not sure oysters are for Justin and Lucy given the tentative way they ate it and the faces they made whilst eating them.
Following the starter i went for the Rabbit saddle with grilled polenta, black trumpet mushroom and fresh fig. This was one of the best dishes i have had since i started the list. Amazingly cooked rabbit, with soft grilled polenta and an amazing sauce. Just an amazing dish that exemplifies french cooking at its best.
We accompanied this with a couple of sides of french fries and a witlof, with sliced apple, walnuts and blue cheese salad. Great accompaniments for the dishes as well as delicious in its own right.
The final dish was a lime panna cotta with a topping of strawberries with strawberry tart. A great panna cotta with deliciously clean fresh flavours. The only disappointment was the strawberry tart which just involved a strip of pastry covered in sliced strawberries. It was good but required something extra either extra icing sugar or something that gave it an extra wow factor.
An amazing meal that ranks as one of my favourite meals so far on the list. Everything about the meal; service, decor, wine & drinks list and of course the food was absolutely first rate.
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