9th March 2012
With my friend Clare, who originally suggested going to St. Katherine's when it opened, leaving for a 6 month holiday to Europe we decided we would probably go and check it out. A group of four of us headed to the closest restaurant in the good food guide to our houses for a 8pm dinner.
Always packed and busy and noisy, the open and high ceilings of the restaurant help to create the desired atmosphere of welcoming, sharing and homeliness. The staff were friendly, playful but competent (apart from one incident where i was bumped in the shoulder by a fork as the server cleared the plates) and the overall evening was a pleasant and fun one. However if you came in expecting the quality of the Press Club you would be sorely disappointed.
Given the style of food, potions and the goal of the restaurant, it made sharing several entrees and main between the four of us. I left Clare up to deciding the majority of the dishes with only some input from me (KFC half bucket and Pork Belly with Spicy Peanut sauce) and each person was left up to their own for desert.
We decided on a selection of 3 entrees, 1 Pide and 2 mains with a side. For entrees we went with the grilled flat breads brushed with olive oil and Za'atar (middle eastern herb), Coal grilled haloumi with mint, currants, fresh apricots and pine nuts and the half bucket of KFC.
The grilled flat breads were nicely cooked, warm and well spiced. The haloumi was only slightly grilled and the salty taste of the cheese was well matched by the fresh sweet fruit and nuts. The KFC was nicely spiced and boneless and better than the 'original recipe' and was served with a spicy BBQ sauce and Japanese mayo. Delicious.
The next out was the Pide. Clare choose the mint, ricotta, haloumi and peppered figs. Good combinations but nothing spectacular flavour wise.
We had 2 main courses served at the same time with a side of rice pilaf. The rice pilaf was nicely spiced and flavoured and contained many different elements and was well cooked. The first main course was the rotisserie. As we had had chicken in the entree we decided to just go for the Lamb. However the lamb was slightly overcooked and was nothing spectacular. The second main course was also slightly disappointing. Cinnamon rubbed pork belly that had an excellent layer of crackling and the flesh was good but too much of the fat layer. It was combined with a roast peanut sauce which was good on its own but not sure about combined with the pork belly.
After the main course we all decided to forgo the option to add more savoury courses and went straight for desert. I went for one of the Mr Whippy ice creams. I went with the salted caramel (great), pomegranate brownie (delicious) and a chocolate pomegranate sauce (decent). The ice cream was better than usually Mr. Whippy but not on the level of top class restaurants. It was a decent desert but nothing fantastic. (should have gone withe the peanut butter parfait, choc sorbet, baklava crumbs and orange blossom foam).
The others all decided on the mousse and donuts. A layer of whisky jelly, choc chip mousse, chocolate shavings and topped with 2 mini jam donuts. Very nice mousse and decent donuts, it was a very good decent.
A decent restaurant that achieved great heights but had some significant let downs. Very decent value though at less than $50 each (with $50 on drinks) and pleasant service. Wont be rushing back and rushing out to recommend it but a quality local restaurant.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
French Brasserie
3rd March 2012
After having been recommended to go to the French Brasserie by a friend (Em), me and Anja decided to try it for ourselves. With the food and Wine festival happening we decided to try a special dinner evening event. After booking several months in advance, we found out that they had lost our reservation and unfortunately we would be seated outside. (especially bad given the cold and rainy Melbourne night - although there was a heater). Not a great start but they did attempt to make it up to us by giving us free drinks all night, very nice but as both of us were driving we had limited opportunity to sample. (After an Anja email they also offered for us to come back again for a free 5 course degustation for 2).
A very strange dining room and restaurant down an otherwise deserted lane way off flinders lane with a split level and very high expansive ceilings with exposed pipes and heating, a bar and a private dining area up a flight of stairs.
The service apart from the initial hiccup was familiar (somewhat overly - i don't think i have been given a massage before at a top restaurant) and efficient especially given the large amount of people taking part in the special event and all being seated and ordering the 5 course dinner at the same time. The pacing of the dinner however was extremely slow and party animal Anja was drifting off by the end due to lack of sleep the night before (or i was just really boring company). Although they did try to keep us entertained with some performer playing instruments and singing French songs.
After being told to arrive for 630 for champagne and to be seated, the first course wasn't until about 715. The first course was a thin slice of puff pastry topped with asparagus, shallots and a sweet garlic cream. Very well cooked pastry and a good fresh blend of flavours was a good start to the meal.
After that came the second course of a smocked pork hock, leek and carrot terrine accompanied by a dandelion salad and a small amount of hock broth. Very well presented and with a full flavour, there was a little too much jelly rather than meat for me.
The third course was the fish course. Consisting of a well cooked Flathead fillet sitting on a very small amount of excellent fish soup (shame there wasn't more which i mopped up with some bread) and finished off with baby carrots and potatoes and a crouton.
The last main course was a confit lamb shoulder which had been slow cooked until it had a dense fat apart meat. Topped with a citrus crust it was a great piece of cooking. Combined with potato salardaise (which was nice but not fantastic) snow pea tendrils and a lamb jus. Quality cooking that was let down slightly by some elements (potato and unnecessary snow pea tendrils).
The next course was the cheese course. Normally not the greatest fan of cheese courses at restaurants, this one did it's best to convert me. A soft cheese with strong flavour that may have been too strong on its own but was perfectly matched by poached pear in spiced syrup, beetroot dressing and brioche. A balanced flavour that match relatively ordinary ingredients and added a class to a dish.
The last course was clearly my favourite though. Named 'La fantaisie de chocolat' and it truly was a fantasy. A chocolate almond dacquoise with chocolate mousse, crystallised chocolate, frozen aero and a creme fraiche ice cream. Beautiful texturally and exquisite flavours and wonderful presentation. Anja was glad she stayed awake for this one as if she had fallen asleep i would have eaten hers as well rather than wake her up.
Overall a very good meal and apart from the major glaring hiccup in service it was a well presented and executed evening. The price was acceptable but some of the lustre was taken off the evening by the being separated from the majority of the dining room. Not my favourite French restaurant (maybe an indication is i allowed Anja to take someone else for the return) but well worth a visit.
After having been recommended to go to the French Brasserie by a friend (Em), me and Anja decided to try it for ourselves. With the food and Wine festival happening we decided to try a special dinner evening event. After booking several months in advance, we found out that they had lost our reservation and unfortunately we would be seated outside. (especially bad given the cold and rainy Melbourne night - although there was a heater). Not a great start but they did attempt to make it up to us by giving us free drinks all night, very nice but as both of us were driving we had limited opportunity to sample. (After an Anja email they also offered for us to come back again for a free 5 course degustation for 2).
A very strange dining room and restaurant down an otherwise deserted lane way off flinders lane with a split level and very high expansive ceilings with exposed pipes and heating, a bar and a private dining area up a flight of stairs.
The service apart from the initial hiccup was familiar (somewhat overly - i don't think i have been given a massage before at a top restaurant) and efficient especially given the large amount of people taking part in the special event and all being seated and ordering the 5 course dinner at the same time. The pacing of the dinner however was extremely slow and party animal Anja was drifting off by the end due to lack of sleep the night before (or i was just really boring company). Although they did try to keep us entertained with some performer playing instruments and singing French songs.
After being told to arrive for 630 for champagne and to be seated, the first course wasn't until about 715. The first course was a thin slice of puff pastry topped with asparagus, shallots and a sweet garlic cream. Very well cooked pastry and a good fresh blend of flavours was a good start to the meal.
After that came the second course of a smocked pork hock, leek and carrot terrine accompanied by a dandelion salad and a small amount of hock broth. Very well presented and with a full flavour, there was a little too much jelly rather than meat for me.
The third course was the fish course. Consisting of a well cooked Flathead fillet sitting on a very small amount of excellent fish soup (shame there wasn't more which i mopped up with some bread) and finished off with baby carrots and potatoes and a crouton.
The last main course was a confit lamb shoulder which had been slow cooked until it had a dense fat apart meat. Topped with a citrus crust it was a great piece of cooking. Combined with potato salardaise (which was nice but not fantastic) snow pea tendrils and a lamb jus. Quality cooking that was let down slightly by some elements (potato and unnecessary snow pea tendrils).
The next course was the cheese course. Normally not the greatest fan of cheese courses at restaurants, this one did it's best to convert me. A soft cheese with strong flavour that may have been too strong on its own but was perfectly matched by poached pear in spiced syrup, beetroot dressing and brioche. A balanced flavour that match relatively ordinary ingredients and added a class to a dish.
The last course was clearly my favourite though. Named 'La fantaisie de chocolat' and it truly was a fantasy. A chocolate almond dacquoise with chocolate mousse, crystallised chocolate, frozen aero and a creme fraiche ice cream. Beautiful texturally and exquisite flavours and wonderful presentation. Anja was glad she stayed awake for this one as if she had fallen asleep i would have eaten hers as well rather than wake her up.
Overall a very good meal and apart from the major glaring hiccup in service it was a well presented and executed evening. The price was acceptable but some of the lustre was taken off the evening by the being separated from the majority of the dining room. Not my favourite French restaurant (maybe an indication is i allowed Anja to take someone else for the return) but well worth a visit.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Comme Kitchen - Breakfast
2nd March 2012
Before heading in for a day of heavy metal and hard rock at Soundwave, i decided to fuel up on some decent breakfast (not likely at Soundwave) and headed for breakfast at Comme. Having already been to the restaurant for dinner i was intrigued to see if the quality translated to breakfast (although by the time i got there it was probably more brunch).
After a brief scan of the menu, i settled on the bacon and truffled scrambled eggs in a roll. Relatively crispy bacon and hot well cooked eggs with a hint of truffle giving a richer flavour. Slightly chewy bread with a crisp outside was good but not great. Great presentation rather than just all slopped into the roll, it was a quality breakfast and a good start to the day and great full for an action packed day.
Before heading in for a day of heavy metal and hard rock at Soundwave, i decided to fuel up on some decent breakfast (not likely at Soundwave) and headed for breakfast at Comme. Having already been to the restaurant for dinner i was intrigued to see if the quality translated to breakfast (although by the time i got there it was probably more brunch).
After a brief scan of the menu, i settled on the bacon and truffled scrambled eggs in a roll. Relatively crispy bacon and hot well cooked eggs with a hint of truffle giving a richer flavour. Slightly chewy bread with a crisp outside was good but not great. Great presentation rather than just all slopped into the roll, it was a quality breakfast and a good start to the day and great full for an action packed day.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Cumulus Inc.
18th February 2012
With a busy and tiring morning of errands, house auctions (no i didn't buy any), followed by a 12km run around the tan i felt like i deserved a treat for lunch. Having finished the run at about 330 the majority of the nice restaurants i had in mind were closed so i went back to an old favourite and one of the first restaurants i completed for the list, Cumulus Inc.
Conveniently open from lunch right through to close after dinner service, it was still reasonably full and bustling even at 4pm. Having been rushing around all morning i was very hungry but skipped any of the entrees and charcuterie and went straight for the main course. Also to cool me down and refresh me from my run i went with a glass of Truman pilsner - an excellent beer for a warm, sunny day.
I went with the main course of duck, cooked to a pink perfection and sliced and resting on a bed of toasted grains, lentils and blobs of a plum puree. Quality produce and a focus on healthy foods and a mix of textures was good but there may have been too many grains and not enough duck for me. However the taste was great even if it didn't wow.
I then went for a desert of malt parfait, spelt crumbs, soft chocolate and a raisin sauce. The soft chocolate (a chefs and my favourite) was outstanding and work well with the malt parfait which was also superb and the crumb s and sauce both added a boost to the flavour and texture. Very, very good dish.
Having now been here a few times, i am running out of things to choose off the reasonably small menu but everything i have tried so far was been of an great quality and stuck true to the goal the restaurant to provide quality, reasonably healthy food in a fun and hip environment. The cost was not cheap but decent value and well worth a visit or two.
With a busy and tiring morning of errands, house auctions (no i didn't buy any), followed by a 12km run around the tan i felt like i deserved a treat for lunch. Having finished the run at about 330 the majority of the nice restaurants i had in mind were closed so i went back to an old favourite and one of the first restaurants i completed for the list, Cumulus Inc.
Conveniently open from lunch right through to close after dinner service, it was still reasonably full and bustling even at 4pm. Having been rushing around all morning i was very hungry but skipped any of the entrees and charcuterie and went straight for the main course. Also to cool me down and refresh me from my run i went with a glass of Truman pilsner - an excellent beer for a warm, sunny day.
I went with the main course of duck, cooked to a pink perfection and sliced and resting on a bed of toasted grains, lentils and blobs of a plum puree. Quality produce and a focus on healthy foods and a mix of textures was good but there may have been too many grains and not enough duck for me. However the taste was great even if it didn't wow.
I then went for a desert of malt parfait, spelt crumbs, soft chocolate and a raisin sauce. The soft chocolate (a chefs and my favourite) was outstanding and work well with the malt parfait which was also superb and the crumb s and sauce both added a boost to the flavour and texture. Very, very good dish.
Having now been here a few times, i am running out of things to choose off the reasonably small menu but everything i have tried so far was been of an great quality and stuck true to the goal the restaurant to provide quality, reasonably healthy food in a fun and hip environment. The cost was not cheap but decent value and well worth a visit or two.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Chin Chin
28th January 2012
After a morning of house hunting in Middle Park and in the city, i was hungry and decided to try to go to one of the restaurants on my list for this year - Chin Chin. Having heard it was frequently busy and that getting a table straight away was very rare, i was surprised when i was given a choice of a table or a seat up at the bar or at the food preparation station.
Located in a funky hip converted warehouse and with a loud, hip vibe. After taking a seat i was offered a decent drink list which i choose a Bohemian Pilsner.
The food menu was written on one page and was broken down into several sections including smaller bites, salads, grill and deserts (and several others). Being lunch and i was not massively hungry i decided to have one of the smaller bites and a salad.
The first was the Chin Chin "Roll Ups". Consisting of moist but meaty red braised suckling pork pieces with some crackling thrown in. Served with very thin pancakes and a substantial salad of bean sprouts, herbs and chili it was full of flavour and surprisingly filling.
The second course was a steamed spanner crab and chicken salad with green mango, chili and coconut dressing. Excellent flavours and a real punch of flavour it was quality food.
The cool vibe and the style of food and the sharing concept of the food reminded me of going to Golden Fields and even the 2 dishes i chose were quite similar to two of the ones i had at Golden Fields. The quality was also very similar and was well worth heading back to.
After a morning of house hunting in Middle Park and in the city, i was hungry and decided to try to go to one of the restaurants on my list for this year - Chin Chin. Having heard it was frequently busy and that getting a table straight away was very rare, i was surprised when i was given a choice of a table or a seat up at the bar or at the food preparation station.
Located in a funky hip converted warehouse and with a loud, hip vibe. After taking a seat i was offered a decent drink list which i choose a Bohemian Pilsner.
The food menu was written on one page and was broken down into several sections including smaller bites, salads, grill and deserts (and several others). Being lunch and i was not massively hungry i decided to have one of the smaller bites and a salad.
The first was the Chin Chin "Roll Ups". Consisting of moist but meaty red braised suckling pork pieces with some crackling thrown in. Served with very thin pancakes and a substantial salad of bean sprouts, herbs and chili it was full of flavour and surprisingly filling.
The second course was a steamed spanner crab and chicken salad with green mango, chili and coconut dressing. Excellent flavours and a real punch of flavour it was quality food.
The cool vibe and the style of food and the sharing concept of the food reminded me of going to Golden Fields and even the 2 dishes i chose were quite similar to two of the ones i had at Golden Fields. The quality was also very similar and was well worth heading back to.
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