Long Apron

19th October 2013

As a birthday celebration for my 30th and my dad's bday (whilst i was up to visit my parents), we went to The Long Apron (2 Hats in Queensland Good Food Guide) for lunch. Located up the top of part of the Blackall Range it was part of a hotel with superb surroundings and views albeit a bit of a queasy ride up.

The restaurant was set facing out onto the gardens and our table was located on the terrace with uninterrupted views but under the shade.

After being seated we were offered a wine and drinks list and the food options. The drinks list was decent with a good mix of prices and wine by the glass if not thoroughly extensive. The food was offered in 5 sections with 3 choice in each. This was offered in a variety of ways though - as a tasting menu (7 courses selected by the kitchen $125), or 2 ($75), 3 ($85) or 5 ($105) courses (selected by the diner).

We all wanted the choice but were still hungry and all decided on 5 courses. Despite the menu being broken up into 5 sections leading you to believe that it was a requirement to select one from each section, they were quite flexible with this (although they did specify only 1 main and 1 desert). As such i skipped the vegetarian second section and added a second meat entree.

Before any of the actual courses arrived we were served a selection of amuse bouche. The first was a watermelon sashimi, wafer thin and folded into delicate parcels, and accompanied by soft delicate cheesy Gougeres.

In addition was delicious bread with a crisp crust and soft moist inside. To top off the initial dish was a strange but delicious flourish of creativity and flavour. Made to look like a garden served in a clear dish was a Lemon and Eucalyptus mouse topped with an olive and Gribache soil with grisini made to look like branches sticking out the top. Excellent presentation, imagination and amazing flavours.

The first of the courses was a dish the initial fish course with Hervey bay scallops, sea greens, bone marrow and grilled leaks with a roasted celeriac jus. Wonderfully presented and full of contrasting flavours.

The first of the two meat entree courses was a Wagyu tartare with a charred bell pepper with a quail egg. Good meaty flavour and quality ingredients and combined with an interesting and pepper that was soft on the inside but with a chary covering.

The next dish was the one everyone agreed on and all had together and was the last entree course and my second meat entree. It was a roasted duck breast combined with pear, honey, fennel, duck ham and grilled shallot. Perfectly cooked duck and well matched with the pear. The duck ham was also excellent and a dish that came together well.

For the final savoury course and the designated main course, I decided to double up on Wagyu beef with this course being a Rump cap served with aligot (smooth potato puree mixed with cheese), confit vegetables and a mild horseradish cream. Pink medium rare beef with a slightly charred outside and combined with an impossibly smooth and cheesy potato puree made for an excellent dish.

The desert course reminded me of the Forest floor I had previously at the now closed Embrasse (now available at Brooks where the chef has gone). Light fluffy mint sponge with 3 delicious chocolate truffles, crisp sheets of meringue and a ball of mousse with a glaze. Mint and chocolate flavours matched well together and different textures and tastes blended well together. Impressive technique and quality cooking created a magic dish.

A wonderful location and setting for a destination dining experience. The quality didn't stop with the location as the food was well thought out, wonderfully presented and full of flavour. Service was good and food was great value and with a great wine list everything comes together for a excellent meal. Well worth a visit and an excellent place to celebrate a special birthday and well worthy of the 2 hat bestowed on it.

Estelle Bar & Kitchen

4th October 2013

After going to Vue Du Monde and Steer for the last 2 years for my birthday I needed another fine dining restaurant for my 30th bday. After looking at various different places I settled on Estelle Bra & Kitchen in Northcote, much to the approval of Em and Matt.

Given the amount of people coming we were forced to take their private dining area. Located upstairs and through the Kitchen (literally I had a couple of the chefs stand aside to let me through the tiny kitchen) in what was the converted living area. The private dining area was very nice, fancy but cosy as well. I was met by our personal waiter and he ran me through the wine list and stayed for a chat before anyone else had arrived.

After everyone had arrived and grabbed a drink we were offered some appetisers served on a wooden plank - cured melon wrapped in edible paper and black rice cracker with a puree. Excellent presentation and great flavours to be had whilst we continued to chat around the table.

After a little while we all took a seat and continued on to the main part of the meal. We first selected our drinks options, of which I went for the adventurous matching drinks option ($70) to match the 7 courses ($90) we had selected earlier. The chefs would select an aperitif, wine, sake or mini cocktail to accompany each of the courses. They also offered the opportunity for matching wines or normal selection of drinks from a reasonably large list.

The first course was a dish of sweet corn, goats cheese and roasted rice puffs. Sweet corn was slightly charred but very fresh and the combination was excellent.

The next dish (shown above) was a Crab mornay, delicious with big chunks of crab meat and a rich creamy sauce topped with toasted crumbs even if it did look like a big mess.

The next dish was a generous chunk of salmon cooked perfectly and matched with an avocado snow and yuzu. Interesting techniques, flavours and served cold made for a delicious, refreshing  and surprising dish.

The next was a hearty chunk of pig jowl combined with caramelised cauliflower with coffee and chocolate gels. Juicy, rich and fatty and combined with the decadent gels was slightly too rich but still very good.

The final savoury course was a juicy perfectly cooked piece of steak combined with a ox cheek cigar, beans and onion. Excellent steak and cigar and topped off with an excellent jus.

The first desert was one of the signature dishes of Estelle. Soft, extremely light sponge combined with salted caramel, frozen sour cream and pumpkin seeds. Light and airy and not too heavy but with great flavours and textural combinations.

The next desert and final course of the dinner was a combination of chocolate, lemon and toasted nuts. The previous desert was light whereas this was the complete opposite and was rich and decadent. Soft chocolate, chocolate mouse, lemon sorbet and toasted nuts formed an excellent finish.

A well thought out 7 course dinner with balance and the individual courses matched well together to provide variety, balance and not feeling too full or over rich decadent foods. Individually each course was also excellent with quality techniques, textures and flavours. Matched with an interesting combo of drinks, quality service and an excellent private dining area, this was a excellent way to celebrate a birthday. 

Pure South

15th September 2013

After recently being elevated to one Hat status due to a new chef returning to Australia after a stint at a 2 Michelin star restaurant in London and some subtle tweaks to the menu and presentation of dishes, i was keen to try this restaurant again after many years. So on a surprisingly warm Sunday afternoon and after building a decent hunger after a Crossfit class, i headed to Pure South for a relaxing late Sunday afternoon lunch.

After taking a seat outside in the more relaxed casual area (menu was the same for both areas) i was offered an extensive drinks menu and food menu that was broken down into entrée, main, beef and finally desert and cheese. After i had settled in a waitress came around with warm bread fresh from the oven which was crisp on the outside and soft inside and accompanied with very nice butter.

 

After my first choice drink was not available (Moo Brew Czech pilsner) i went with a glass of Stoney Chimney Pinot Gris. A very nice glass of wine.

 

I decided to forgo entree and head straight for main course. After reading about this main in the latest good food guide, i went for the Rabbit saddle served in 2 circular perfectly cooked blocks with a seared and slightly crisp outside on a bed of broad beans and peas with a meaty rabbit jus. It was also served with a separate rabbit Sheppard's pie with moist delicious chunks of rabbit with peas, carrot in a warm delicious gravy and covered with fluffy, creamy mash. Perfect and delicious comfort food and well worthy of the highest praise.  

I asked the waitress whether the above main would be sufficient or whether a side would be needed and this is the only part where i was steered wrongly. The above dish was more than enough especially given the richness of the food. However the side of triple cooked chips where perfectly crisp and delicious but decided not to finish them all.

I would need room for the desert of Chocolate & praline mousse with mandarin gels and a crumble of roast hazelnuts. A rich decadent bar of chocolate mousse with a base of praline base was topped off by candied and fresh mandarin and served with intense blobs of mandarin gel and a pile of toasted hazelnuts.Great flavours matched with quality plating and great technical mastery showed off a desert and chef at the top of its game.

Quality high end comfort food and excellent surroundings and service, probably the only quibble was due to being on Southbank the prices were on the more expensive side ($35 mains $18 deserts) but that did not detract from a very enjoyable lunch.

Mamasita

8th September 2013

After Crossfit and then shopping in the early afternoon and before a basketball game at MSAC in the evening, I had some time to kill. Rather than head home for a short time before heading back out again I decided to stay and try a restaurant that i had been waiting to try since it opened, Mamasita.

Always packed when i have been past before, the 430 pm on a Sunday time seemed as likely as any to provide me with the opportunity to try it out without having to queue for an hour or more for a table. I still decided to go despite reports of it being overrated and better less crowded Mexican restaurants around.

However i decided to push ahead (also limited options on a Sunday at 430 pm) and see if it is worth the hype and queues. After heading up the narrow stairs to an interesting mix of dining room with some nice features but a dodgy school dining room floor.

After being seated at the window with views out to the street, i was served by friendly staff who were quick to refill water and offer other drinks. A decent drinks menu offered a variety of options but I settled on a simple Pacifico beer.

The menu was also reasonably extensive and offered a variety of different ways to go representing its sharing philosophy. As it was just me i decided just to try some smaller items and therefore experience a little bit of everything it had to offer.

The first 2 dishes came out together with one being a single serve of Ceviche de Yucatan served in a shot glass and filled with market fish, green tomato, chili, mint, lime and coconut milk. Good fish with nice flavours and contrast of the milk and sharp lime.
The next was a Fish Taco with a very fresh mix of grilled fish, lime, red onion salsa and chipotle mayo. Good fresh flavours and hint of spice and sharp lime provided a good mix. However were no better than tacos from Paco's Tacos (although they were about the same price).

After a slight break the next dish was my favourite dish and was a crusty rolled filled with pulled pork, pickled onion and refried beans. Served on a big plate that was "drowned" in a spicy tomato sauce. Good flavours and bold mix it was very good.

This was served with a side of Sauteed sweet corn marinated in chili & lime. I mixed this with the above dish and was great flavours if a little too much lime. However generous bowl of sweetcorn and worked well.

I had heard about a desert that involved a Sweetcorn ice cream so i thought i would try this out and see if it worked. Served in a normal cone filled with Sweetcorn ice cream and topped with caramel and popcorn. The caramel and popcorn consisted of a few kernels on top that were gone within the first bite and while nice added little to the whole dish. The Sweetcorn ice cream was actually a little blander than i anticipated and was a little underwhelming. It was nice but nothing exciting or boundary pushing.

Overall the flavours and dishes were good if nothing boundary pushing or amazing and the service was decent (however it was on a relaxed low key Sunday afternoon - I would imagine it would be different when packed) and a quality drink list. It was a decent meal that was worth a trip given my experience just not worth waiting for or the hype surrounding the place. Much better restaurants, both Mexican and non-Mexican that you don't have to wait for.

Longrain

29th August 2013

After missing out of having lunch with either parent at Momofuku, my father was down in Melbourne for a job interview for a couple of days and me and James decided to catch up with him for dinner. At the demands of James we were forced to go for something with a little spice and after heading along Flinders Lane to see a number of the restaurants packed, I suggested we head to Longrain as I had wanted to go back for a while now and also it filled the criteria of spice.

After walking for a while we were hungry by the time we got to Longrain and were happy that they had space and were lead to the end of the long communal tables in the dining room. Having been there before I took the lead with ordering but we each choose a dish and shared along with the Thai Jasmine rice.

First out was my dish that I insisted on and one that I had previously, the Filled eggnet with pork, prawns, peanut, caramelised coconut and a side of cucumber relish. Lots of flavours and generous size it remains a favourite and is a must for me whenever i go to Longrain.

The 2 other dishes were served together with the rice. The first was a slow cooked duck with crisp ginger, mint and Thai basil. Well cooked duck with zingy full flavours with a hint of spice. Excellent dish.

The final dish was a red curry of sliced beef and kifler potatoes. This again was more tingling rather than full spicy but was well cooked and full of flavour.

After a look at the desert menu we decided again any desert which is a disappointment of Thai cuisine that the deserts are not usually to my taste. We therefore just finished with the 3 mains shared between 3 people but the portion size was substantial enough to leave us relatively full. Decent prices (food was about $100), good service and a cool vibe to go along with the flavour packed food meant that it was well worth a return visit.