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Showing posts with label Fancy Pants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fancy Pants. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Taxi Dining Room
Shhh...Secret Dining Society

Covert, coveted and exclusive, Jude Smith's second Secret Dining Society dinner triumphed at Taxi Dining Room. 
 
Taxi Dining Room
 
Launched in July 2012, 10 guests, drawn by ballot, were lucky enough to enjoy a private four course dinner, with matched wines, at the Little Press & Cellar. None other than George Calombaris was at the helm.

On this occasion, Taxi's executive team, led by Tony Twitchett, hosted a decadent dinner party for 30 guests on the roof top deck of Transit. 

The menu was seasonal and innovative; wine was plentiful and matched each dish perfectly (thanks to head Sommelier Jackson Watson on hand to guide us through each vineyard); and the company of my 29 new friends was simply delightful.

Venue manager, Kieran Spiteri and his team, created a unique dinning experience, and a seamless service.

With weather on our side, the vista from the third floor was short of spectacular. 

Secret Dining Society is sure to flourish amid the social media landscape of emerging foodie trends. It definitely will not remain a secret for much longer.

Eat: The menu reflected Twitchett's passion for contemporary fusion of Japanese and Australian cuisine. The crispy cone bay barramundi with a yabbie curry sauce was the standout of the five course feast. A variation of this dish, features on Taxi's regular menu.

Snapper sashimi with pickled myoga & miso crumb
Chandon Rose, 2008

Taxi's sticky pork with crispy quail & black pepper caramel
Dr Burklin Wolf " Wachenheimer" Riesling, 2010

Crispy Cone Bay barramundi with a yabbie curry sauce
Even Keel Chardonnay, 2010

Stockyards Wagyu porterhouse, marble score 7+ with horseradish cream & yakiniku
Sanguine Estate " Progeny", 2010

'Ecuador' dark chocolate ganache with mandarin, star anise & cardamon
Mas Amiel Maury Rouge, 2009

Drink: A range of wines were matched with each course. Kudos to Watson for returning to some simple classics. A shout out for Heathcote's Sanguine Estate " Progeny", 2010.

Taxi Dining Room on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Moon Under Water
Ideal pub at arm's length to the Builders

It has only been a hop skip and jump from when I was last at The Builders Arms Hotel, that the September Age (Melbourne Magazine) reader dinner event is held at Moon Under Water. I have been quietly following this restaurants progress, since opening, with great anticipation of its success. The venue, not to mention the menu, did not disappoint. Like a George Orwell essay, the restaurant's namesake, I am continually amazed by chef's McConnell and Murphy culinary craft. 

FOOD
The crowd favourite was the second course of Moreton Bay bugs, asparagus and almond cream.  McConnell took us on a journey of its creation, particularly the delicate handling of the bugs, steamed (outside of its shell) above 80 degrees of light simmering water. True artistry! The almond cream tantalised a fellow dinner, for its simplicity and subtle flavour.

My favourite, without a doubt, was the third course, Cape Grim*. When I was first introduced to this beautiful meat, my love affair began. Where can you buy it? I've been trying to source it via a local butcher and have found four in town that stock it. Note that several more restaurants have it on their menu.

HIGHLIGHTS 
First Course
Leeks, fresh curd & smoked anchovy, lemon oil
2007 Domaine Jacques Tissot Arbois Savagnin, Jura, France
Photo: M.Elizabeth

Second Course
Moreton Bay bugs, asparagus, almond cream
2010 Daniel Crochet Sancerre Plante des Pres, Loire, France
Photo: M.Elizabeth

Third Course
Peppered Cape Grim strip loin
Chateau Segries Lirac Rouge Cuvee rResrvee, Rhone, France
Photo: M.Elizabeth


Fourth Course
Poached meringue, buttermilk ice cream, rhubarb granita
2008 Marc Tempe Gewurztraminer Zellenberg, Alsace, France
Photo: M.Elizabeth
DRINK
Heart & Soil wines were matched with each course.
 
On weekly rotation, the four course prixe fixe menu is sure to keep you from claiming any favourites. This enables McConnell and his team to use seasonal produce, purchased on Wednesday and on the menu the following Monday, and create innovative dishes, which is challenging.
 
*Also try Robbins Island Wagy Beef and King Island beef .