This was quite an interesting dining experience. Some good news, and some bad to report however. And in Melbourne, where the competition is tough, this was perhaps a disappointment.
The decor is confused, and the menu is diverse. They have a fabulous website, but it too just adds confusion to the restaurant's overall image. It seems like lots of people have had input into the creation of Three, One, Two but there is no reliable theme. The modern light fixtures and grey wall don't work with the traditional landscapes on the wall and the bread bowls on the tables. But then, that's just my opinion.
For entree we had the roast rabbit with cracked wheat pilaf, pistachio and dates, and also the smoked ocean trout with cucumber, mussels and dill. The trout was cut fairly thickly and tasted more like a confit, but it was pleasant. The rabbit was the stand-out dish of the evening however. We absolutely loved it!
For main course we had the pheasant cooked three ways with a supplement of WA truffles as recommended by the waiter, as well as the suckling pig with a sweet and sour glaze and onions. The pork was lovely and presented well with a gorgeous crackling crust. The pheasant was nice too, but nothing special. The truffles were a great disappointment and added nothing to the dish. They were not fragrant and did not meet expectations.
For dessert we also had a mixed bag. We ordered the apple confit with burnt butter ice cream and salted caramel, as well as the poached rhubarb with rhubarb jelly, vanilla custard and ginger beer sorbet. The apple dessert was lovely and the flavours worked well. The rhubarb dessert however, was presented in a bowl that reminded me of a pet bowl and it all looked a little thrown together. The taste combination was also unimpressive.
For an 8.00 pm reservation we were disappointed that we did not receive our entrees until 9.30 pm. By then we were beyond hungry and the restaurant did not appear that busy to justify having us wait so long. Lucky for me, I had great dinner company.
The overall experience left me wanting however, and in Melbourne, there are many more good dining experiences to be had.
Three, One, Two is at 312 Drummond Street, Carlton. Ph. 03 9347 3312. http://www.threeonetwo.com.au/.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
the Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel, Melbourne
A great meal. Truly superb. But the service was ordinary which was very disappointing. I had been wanting to go for dinner here for so long, and it's a shame it didn't quite meet my expectations.
The food is typical French. We ate chilled white asparagus with coddled egg and vinaigrette. It was sublime. The chicken liver and foie gras terrine with onion jam was also delicious. For main course we had twice cooked quail with tajine spices and the saddle of rabbit with a rich jus. Everything was to die for.
Our cheese and desert were also wonderful. We ordered five cheese, but at first only received a plate with three. When the error was corrected, we were served four french cheeses and one local cheese. They were great. The chocolate fondant was great too, though not as divine as that at Restaurant Balzac in Sydney.
Service was slow and inconsistent. We waited a long time to be offered drinks other than water, and would definitely have ordered a second bottle of wine, given the opportunity, however it was impossible to catch the eye of the wait staff. That, and the cleanliness of the ladies bathroom made the experience a disappointment.
The Brasserie by Phillipe Mouchel is Riverside at Crown, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Ph. 03 9292 7808. Reservations highly recommended.
The food is typical French. We ate chilled white asparagus with coddled egg and vinaigrette. It was sublime. The chicken liver and foie gras terrine with onion jam was also delicious. For main course we had twice cooked quail with tajine spices and the saddle of rabbit with a rich jus. Everything was to die for.
Our cheese and desert were also wonderful. We ordered five cheese, but at first only received a plate with three. When the error was corrected, we were served four french cheeses and one local cheese. They were great. The chocolate fondant was great too, though not as divine as that at Restaurant Balzac in Sydney.
Service was slow and inconsistent. We waited a long time to be offered drinks other than water, and would definitely have ordered a second bottle of wine, given the opportunity, however it was impossible to catch the eye of the wait staff. That, and the cleanliness of the ladies bathroom made the experience a disappointment.
The Brasserie by Phillipe Mouchel is Riverside at Crown, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Ph. 03 9292 7808. Reservations highly recommended.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Four in Hand Bistro, Sydney
Nestled in the quiet backstreets of Paddington, adjoining a pub, this restaurant is a great little find. Dark wood panelling on the walls give it a very European feeling, however, the large windows let in a lot of light from outside.
For a small restaurant, it has quite a diverse wine list, with lots of great French wines. The oysters were fresh and the duck egg french toast was great. The fish dishes were perfectly cooked, though the special pork dish, including a crispy pig's ear, was sensational.
The Four in Hand was disappointingly not busy for a Saturday lunch when I went, however, that ensured that the service was just perfect. The sommelier was able to spend quite a bit of time with us, and we certainly tried a variety of wines, including a great European dessert wine.
I will gladly return.
The Four in Hand Bistro is at 105 Sutherland Street, Paddington. Ph 02 9362 1999.
For a small restaurant, it has quite a diverse wine list, with lots of great French wines. The oysters were fresh and the duck egg french toast was great. The fish dishes were perfectly cooked, though the special pork dish, including a crispy pig's ear, was sensational.
The Four in Hand was disappointingly not busy for a Saturday lunch when I went, however, that ensured that the service was just perfect. The sommelier was able to spend quite a bit of time with us, and we certainly tried a variety of wines, including a great European dessert wine.
I will gladly return.
The Four in Hand Bistro is at 105 Sutherland Street, Paddington. Ph 02 9362 1999.
Gianni, Brisbane
This was rather an unexpected surprise. I had a wonderful night here with a couple of friends, on a beautifully warm Brisbane evening recently. Alfresco dining is the order of the day and the atmosphere is quite lovely.
One big surprise was the champagne trolley. What a wonderful idea! A trolley with bottles of champagne on ice, making it easy to make a choice - and I'm possibly one of the few women who don't ordinarily think highly of champagne. We enjoyed our pink champagne immensely and made an appropriate toast. The wine list also had a few gems on it, and the aged semillon we ordered was divine.
The food was also great. The foie gras was superb, and my friends were equally impressed with their choices of entree. Mains were lovely too, and we enjoyed our wine with the cheese we selected.
I enjoyed Gianni's very much and highly recommend it. I would gladly go back.
Gianni is at 12 Edward Street, Brisbane. Ph 07 3221 7655.
One big surprise was the champagne trolley. What a wonderful idea! A trolley with bottles of champagne on ice, making it easy to make a choice - and I'm possibly one of the few women who don't ordinarily think highly of champagne. We enjoyed our pink champagne immensely and made an appropriate toast. The wine list also had a few gems on it, and the aged semillon we ordered was divine.
The food was also great. The foie gras was superb, and my friends were equally impressed with their choices of entree. Mains were lovely too, and we enjoyed our wine with the cheese we selected.
I enjoyed Gianni's very much and highly recommend it. I would gladly go back.
Gianni is at 12 Edward Street, Brisbane. Ph 07 3221 7655.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lucio's, Sydney
This little gem is hidden away in Paddington where word of mouth alone will find it! I recently went for lunch with some colleagues and we enjoyed our experience immensely. From the moment we were greeted at the door we knew we were going to be looked after. The kaleidoscope of artworks on the walls is fascinating. Every style, and every colour is represented, I'm sure.
We ordered some wine, and though it was a long time in coming, we received updates on the search for the elusive bottle of pinot gris I had selected. The communication and humour was very much appreciated.
The menu and specials were explained to us and when I asked if we could have three stuffed zucchini flowers for an entree to share, rather than the two as catered for on the menu, I was assured that nothing would be a problem. The zucchini flowers, delicately stuffed with crab and feta were sublime and served with a light, fresh salsa. The menu made it difficult to choose, but I was very happy with my choice of murray cod with blood orange segments and red witlof. I also got to try the dishes of my colleagues and was not disappointed there either. The pasta was so well balanced, I almost had food envy.
The deserts created a problem however. Everything looked good, yet we didn't want to share a desert plate, as each of us has a sweet tooth. We ordered three individual deserts and shared those. We were not disappointed, though my chocolate pudding was so rich that I was unable to finish it.
I look forward to going back.
Lucio's is at 47 Windsor Street, Paddington. Ph. 9380 5996.
All in all, a beautiful afternoon, in a great little place. I will most definitely go back.
We ordered some wine, and though it was a long time in coming, we received updates on the search for the elusive bottle of pinot gris I had selected. The communication and humour was very much appreciated.
The menu and specials were explained to us and when I asked if we could have three stuffed zucchini flowers for an entree to share, rather than the two as catered for on the menu, I was assured that nothing would be a problem. The zucchini flowers, delicately stuffed with crab and feta were sublime and served with a light, fresh salsa. The menu made it difficult to choose, but I was very happy with my choice of murray cod with blood orange segments and red witlof. I also got to try the dishes of my colleagues and was not disappointed there either. The pasta was so well balanced, I almost had food envy.
The deserts created a problem however. Everything looked good, yet we didn't want to share a desert plate, as each of us has a sweet tooth. We ordered three individual deserts and shared those. We were not disappointed, though my chocolate pudding was so rich that I was unable to finish it.
I look forward to going back.
Lucio's is at 47 Windsor Street, Paddington. Ph. 9380 5996.
All in all, a beautiful afternoon, in a great little place. I will most definitely go back.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Sydney
I have been to the Boathouse a number of times over the years. It is spectacularly housed on the water, and as far as the views are concerned, there's not a bad table in the place.
I went and ate there yesterday with a colleague and was not disappointed in the food, though a little in the service. It took a long time to get a second glass of wine, and the wait between the entree and main was far too long, especially when my colleague had not ordered an entree.
The Boathouse is known for its freshly shucked oysters, and it has never disappointed on that front. I have always ordered oysters, every time I dine here. There are usually between six and ten varieties on the menu at any one time and the wait staff are knowledgeable about them. They are happy to do mixed dozens and will explain to you which is which when they arrive at your table. If you're new to oysters, this is a great place to learn to appreciate them. They don't come kilpatrick, mornay or in any other way cooked, just natural in all their goodness.
The house specialty on the mains front is the snapper pie. It too is fantastic. In fact, it is consistently good! The flavours are wonderful and the pastry, which is just the roof on a large pie dish, is exquisite. It is served with mash and smoked tomato. Though I've never quite liked the tomato with it. Yesterday for lunch however, I was not up to the task, ordering the kingfish instead.
The kingfish was truly wonderful, served with a parmesan dashi. Lovely!
I love the Boathouse. I will continue to go back, and hope that yesterday's slow service was just a freak occurrence.
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay is at the end of Ferry Road, Glebe (02) 9518 9011.
I went and ate there yesterday with a colleague and was not disappointed in the food, though a little in the service. It took a long time to get a second glass of wine, and the wait between the entree and main was far too long, especially when my colleague had not ordered an entree.
The Boathouse is known for its freshly shucked oysters, and it has never disappointed on that front. I have always ordered oysters, every time I dine here. There are usually between six and ten varieties on the menu at any one time and the wait staff are knowledgeable about them. They are happy to do mixed dozens and will explain to you which is which when they arrive at your table. If you're new to oysters, this is a great place to learn to appreciate them. They don't come kilpatrick, mornay or in any other way cooked, just natural in all their goodness.
The house specialty on the mains front is the snapper pie. It too is fantastic. In fact, it is consistently good! The flavours are wonderful and the pastry, which is just the roof on a large pie dish, is exquisite. It is served with mash and smoked tomato. Though I've never quite liked the tomato with it. Yesterday for lunch however, I was not up to the task, ordering the kingfish instead.
The kingfish was truly wonderful, served with a parmesan dashi. Lovely!
I love the Boathouse. I will continue to go back, and hope that yesterday's slow service was just a freak occurrence.
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay is at the end of Ferry Road, Glebe (02) 9518 9011.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
North Bondi Italian Food, Sydney
This is my local. I love this place, and if I had more money, I would choose this as my place to eat every day. The vibe here is just great and the food is equally good.
Lots of Bondi locals eat here and love it. Start with the house special - Campari with freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice. The wine list is limited, but a good variety of Italian and Australian wines. The bread is great, as is the unlimited olive oil.
Everything I've tried on the menu here has been a hit. Spaghetti crab in a bag, the meatball roll, the biggest meat portions you can imagine. The daily menu special, like spatchcock on Mondays, is fabulous and a great way to get me back through the door on a Monday. The sides are all good too.
One frustration with North Bondi Italian is that you can't book. So, get there early, whether it's for lunch or dinner. Why not, when you can then enjoy the time passing with one of the greatest beach views in Australia. An outdoor table is great if it's not windy.
North Bondi Italian Food is at 118 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi 02 9300 4400.
Lots of Bondi locals eat here and love it. Start with the house special - Campari with freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice. The wine list is limited, but a good variety of Italian and Australian wines. The bread is great, as is the unlimited olive oil.
Everything I've tried on the menu here has been a hit. Spaghetti crab in a bag, the meatball roll, the biggest meat portions you can imagine. The daily menu special, like spatchcock on Mondays, is fabulous and a great way to get me back through the door on a Monday. The sides are all good too.
One frustration with North Bondi Italian is that you can't book. So, get there early, whether it's for lunch or dinner. Why not, when you can then enjoy the time passing with one of the greatest beach views in Australia. An outdoor table is great if it's not windy.
North Bondi Italian Food is at 118 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi 02 9300 4400.
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