42 replies to this topic

[JohnA]

Taking away funds from my hifi funds, however looking forward to them

have just booked 3

Vue de monde

the press club

Jacques Reymond

hope they are worth it

[LuckyDog]

Crikey John, you feeling hungry? Don't most just book one dining experience at a time??

[JohnA]

hehehehehehehe, not all 3 at the same time, mind you people keep telling me i need to put weight back on

damn earliest i could get into Jacques was August

Press club booked it for the wifes b'day in September

Vue de monde next month

[emesbee]

Anything with a French sounding name is bound to be expensive.

[Grumpy]

Taking away funds from my hifi funds, however looking forward to them

have just booked 3

Vue de monde

the press club

Jacques Reymond

hope they are worth it

I'm all for a multi culture environment, but surely you could speak bloody English on a forum such as this if you want others to read it - bloody hell man, it's Friday;)

Edited by Grumpy, 28 May 2010 - 04:29 PM.

[Zammo]

Anything with a French sounding name is bound to be expensive.

Yeah, have spent the odd penny here and there at these fine establishments. Now the kids are growing up and getting easier to have babysitters, looking to start wasting some funds on fine food and booze. Surprised to here Jacques has such a long wait - used to go there a bit, and although you couldn't call a week before, certainly don't remember it being that booked up. Bloody MasterChef me reckons.

[xtrachewy]

None too far from MacDonalds if still hungry

Also consider Attica, Coda, Cutler & Co (1kg steak, cooked 1hr, $100)....or regional Lakehouse (Daylesford), Simones (Bright) and Royal Mail Hotel (Dunkeld).

I also like Neil Perry's Rockpool - dry-aged steak done proper.

Taking away funds from my hifi funds, however looking forward to them

have just booked 3

Vue de monde

the press club

Jacques Reymond

hope they are worth it

[mr-happy-pants]

I love fine dining

But...

I don't like pretentious waiters (just do your job well!)
I don't like waiters who touch their faces and hair whilst in the dining room
I don't like it when it's too dark to see what's on your plate
I don't like it when the dining room is too loud (echo) and you can't hear others on the same table
I don't like it when you have to send food back in so-called fine-dining restaurants

I love it when it works

John; I hope they all go off "without a hitch" and are memorable experiences (for the right reasons)

I'm inspired to take the wife out for dinner, maybe next week!

[xtrachewy]

Live jazz band, good outdoor (heated) atmosphere and decent food = hardware lane (Melb) on Friday.

[Nude]

i hope you find the Press Club better than I did

Very disappointing, especially for the $

[emesbee]

I don't like pretentious food presentation being used as an excuse for charging high prices.

You know the sort of thing, a few morsels of food neatly arranged into a mini-tower in the centre of an enormous square plate and surrounded by a zig-zag dribbling of coloured sauce. The whole thing can usually be consumed in about two mouthfuls.

[JohnA]

i hope you find the Press Club better than I did

Very disappointing, especially for the $

mixed reports on that place.

my sister in law said it was brilliant the first time she went, but the second time she was a little disappointed.

personally i prefer not so fancy restaurants, were you can dress casually, eat lots of food and not going to cost you a weeks wage.
However, wife loves them, so who am i to deny her these simple pleasures. After all, she doesn't say a word anytime i spend on hifi or cars.

Oh yea, master chef has a damn lot to answer for

[dialectically]

JohnA,

I go to all these places very frequently.

I'd give Press Club a miss - have eaten there many, many times as colleagues always want to try it. I think it is appalling. Very overrated in my opinion.

Vue De Monde is a pleasant experience. I don't like going there too often as it is a full-on experience. I went a couple of weeks ago and by the time we finished degustation it was about 1am! Had some fantastic wine and interesting food. Certainly not Michelin Star standard, even though it is about that price. I am always surprised that one can eat at a three star restaurant in Paris for around the same prices as Melbourne restaurants and, to be honest, they are on a completely different level. Australian restaurant prices are very inflated.

I agree that Cutler & Co was quite nice . You might also want to try Ezards. Grossi Florentino's upstairs is always pleasant.

Edited by diallectically, 28 May 2010 - 09:59 PM.

[JohnA]

cheers for the info diallectically.

Regarding the press club, wife really wants to go, so i guess will be the best way for her to find out. It was not one on top of my list, and i think the only reason it is talked about so much is because of master chef.

Vue de monde, i believe it was Norpus who posted something similar on here to your experience. He was absolutely stuffed.

Like everything though, i guess its good to find out for ones self.

Will look into the other places also

[dialectically]

John,

You are quite correct - it is all subjective. I hope you both have a wonderful experience at the Press Club. I know it has undergone some changes recently so hopefully it will be fantastic.

As for Vue De Monde - I actually had one of my favourite meals there a few years ago. I hope you both love it and look forward to reading your reviews of all three places.

S

[Keith_W]

I have been to all the above restaurants John. Do not go to Ezard - everything is too salty and it is way overpriced.

My favourite of the 3 you mentioned is Jacques Reymond. But even better than any of those is Attica.

[JohnA]

Tomorrow night is Jacques Reymond night

they rang me today to confirm and i am looking forward to it.

Will do some record shopping tomorrow and a bit of walking with a very light lunch.
Need to leave room for the 8 courses

Will report back on my thoughts

[holdencaulfield2007]

None too far from MacDonalds if still hungry

Also consider Attica, Coda, Cutler & Co (1kg steak, cooked 1hr, $100)....or regional Lakehouse (Daylesford), Simones (Bright) and Royal Mail Hotel (Dunkeld).

I also like Neil Perry's Rockpool - dry-aged steak done proper.

Have you been to the Royal Mail Hotel(Dunkeld)? I live in Melbourne and it is a fair way to go but I am tempted because of the great reviews it gets!

[xtrachewy]

Reviews are justifed and great esp. if you like dishes you wouldn't cook for yourself (http://www.royalmail...ges/Images.aspx) though portions are on small side if you're hungry but easily managed with some extra bread or pre-dinner snacks/drinks.

The dishes display deft balance and interplay of texture and flavours not unlike Robin Wicken's attempts at Interlude and Deanery but distinguishes itself by local produce and kitchen garden - so early Summer may be best time esp. to enjoy the late summer light on the Southern Grampians....

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21995[/ATTACH]

and

http://www.chockston...Print.asp?ID=35

I've went there about 6 months ago en-route to Mt Gambier for some cave-diving The Glenelg River (nearby?) is also a lovely place to visit....

For something altogether quite different and very casual home cooking, I had a lovely time at Mr Price’s Foodstore, 502 Queensberry St, Nth Melb - the place is run by a single cook/host (Gary Price) who decides the daily menu based on almost daily visits to the market....quite extraordinary business model and a delight for foodies looking for new experience.

Attached Files

•  Gramp.jpg   74.07K   21 downloads

Edited by xtrachewy, 13 August 2010 - 07:54 PM.

[holdencaulfield2007]

Thank you for the above review "xtrachewy" > I reckon the Royal Mail might be worth a visit after reading that!

[xtrachewy]

I shall wait with drooling anticipation for the first SNA review of Dan Hunter's work at the Royal Mail

[Grainy]

Thank you for the above review "xtrachewy" > I reckon the Royal Mail might be worth a visit after reading that!

My wife and I spent a lovely evening there a couple of years ago. It was well worth it, the first dish was an amazing mushroom brulee and it got better from there The waiter/sommelier was easily excited when I showed an interest in a 1/2 decent wine, they have a very good cellar.

They do a good Parma down the other end of the pub as well

[cmcook]

For something altogether quite different and very casual home cooking, I had a lovely time at Mr Price’s Foodstore, 502 Queensberry St, Nth Melb - the place is run by a single cook/host (Gary Price) who decides the daily menu based on almost daily visits to the market....quite extraordinary business model and a delight for foodies looking for new experience.

I live just around the corner from here and quite fancy going but think the opening times are fairly limited. The Court House on the corner of Queensberry and Errol is good and I've only eaten in the bar, rather than the restaurant.

[Cloth Ears]

Tomorrow night is Jacques Reymond night

Have fun! I've enjoyed it every time I've been. The quality doesn't change (I've been going since the 80's), but occasionally one of the dishes might not be perfect - if you're going degustation.

I was surprised to hear that it took so long to get in. I've always rung up the day before and managed to find a table for two. Must be Masterchef (as someone said).

Can we have a full report?

[Cloth Ears]

My wife and I spent a lovely evening there a couple of years ago. It was well worth it, the first dish was an amazing mushroom brulee and it got better from there The waiter/sommelier was easily excited when I showed an interest in a 1/2 decent wine, they have a very good cellar.

They do a good Parma down the other end of the pub as well

Yeah, we found this one by accident a few years back. We actually ate in the side section (between the pub and the 'restaurant'), but were able to order dishes from all 3 menus. A classic, and very tasty. This was just after the Grampian bushfires - whenever they were. Just haven't made the time to go back...

[Rockford]

My wife and I spent a lovely evening there a couple of years ago. It was well worth it, the first dish was an amazing mushroom brulee and it got better from there The waiter/sommelier was easily excited when I showed an interest in a 1/2 decent wine, they have a very good cellar.

I go more for the cellar than the food. Awesome cellar.

[xtrachewy]

I hear you emesbee ... I doubt anyone likes being overcharged for pretentious food. So I comparatively get more excited about a fantastic Greasy Spoon (cheap diner), but as somebody who cooks, I also like experiencing the best in class cooking that demonstrate skill, drama & imagination....and I admit to being disappointed many times when the hype isn't justified.

So Fat Duck for me in the not so distant future....

I don't like pretentious food presentation being used as an excuse for charging high prices.

You know the sort of thing, a few morsels of food neatly arranged into a mini-tower in the centre of an enormous square plate and surrounded by a zig-zag dribbling of coloured sauce. The whole thing can usually be consumed in about two mouthfuls.

[xtrachewy]

The Royal Mail is about to get a whole lot busier - shame as invariably awards ruin a great restaurant that doesn't need the awards to succeed in my experience:

http://www.theage.co...0830-147ah.html

[moochy]

A hidden gem I have found whilst travelling is 'Teller' in Mooropna (Shepparton) situ in a renovated old bank building with a chef who moved from melbourne. Small place with limited menu but definetly a cut above the average fare.

Dalmatteo in Port Melbourne is a great one too as well as max cafe in Hadware Lane.

[proftournesol]

I went to Attica's Tuesday experimental night. That's a fixed degustation menu night where the kitchen 'have some fun' and experiment with new dishes. The Tuesday menu of course then changes every week. As you may expect, it may be a bit hit and miss, but the misses were merely very good, the hits amazing. If you want to be challenged by unconventional but very good dishes, I'd suggest trying a Tuesday night.

[JohnA]

went to the european again today for the second time.

nice food, great service and very reasonable prices.

[JohnA]

went to nobu last night for our 13th wedding anniversary.

Very good service, but a little noisy, so made it hard to hear what the waiter and waitresses were saying to us when giving a description of all our meals.

We opted for the 9 course degustation menu and i must say, the food was very nice.

some foods i would not have thought of ordering which i found very nice, so a great way to be introduced to new flavours.

Now to pay for it at the gym

[LogicprObe]

I was wondering if you were keeping this up given your transformation.

[Mr_Gimlet]

Finally made it to Attica. A bit of a pretentious ****. Very good food (definitely Melbourne top half dozen) and well priced wine list - but so completely up itself. You can tell it's a chef-owned restaurant. I'd still recommend though, I've just enjoyed some other meals better.

[JohnA]

I was wondering if you were keeping this up given your transformation.

yes, still go.
only once a month or even less these days. Easy to burn off.

Finally made it to Attica. A bit of a pretentious ****.

lets be honest, most of them are, but we still enjoy them every now and again.

[Peter the Greek]

Not having been to Melbourne in 2 years I can't comment on the food.

Sydney has gone down hill big time. The only place that has impressed me in the past 18 months is Sepia, superb food all round and nice fitout/ambiance etc

Not to blow my own trumpet, I am really sick of going out and looking at menus saying "we can do this at home, better...." forget price.

[Mr_Gimlet]

I think Sydney has just got expensive, that's all. It's a lot of money for something average.

That said, Quay is the best meal I have ever had in Australia.

[dammers31]

In the last 4 weeks i have had a 5 course Mezze plate at Lezzet Turkish Restaurant in Brighton Rd Elwood. I have also had a large shared meal at White Village greek restaurant in Glenhuntly Rd Caulfield.
While they were about the same price $48/$45 each, White Village was bigger and tastier (to me). Lezzet was a tasting plate.
Both quite enjoyable. only dash on White Village was a very small piece of saganaki to share

[proftournesol]

White Village os pretty good I think.

[dammers31]

The first time I went to White Village about 10 years ago, I had caught up with an old flat mate, hadnt seen each other in years. After lots of drinks food and laughs, he said "there is a strip club just down the road, 100Mtres away, my brother in law goes there, lets check it out". Sure enough Kittens was there with security and one of those little ropes. In we go and 3 girls came up to him and said "Hi Brian". true story.

[firefly0071]

No food offered?

[FeelTheNoise]

I think Sydney has just got expensive, that's all. It's a lot of money for something average.

That said, Quay is the best meal I have ever had in Australia.

I agree with you, Sydney now is just so expensive and the quality of food isn't any superior than anywhere else. All tourist dollers driving up the prices. I was in Melb 2 weeks ago for work and used an offer from Groupon in Melbourne for Attica and I really enjoyed. I know coupon sites can be really hit and miss but figured I'd get this one since it was for a reputable restuarant. For those looking for a bite in Sydney I'd recommend El Toro Tapas & Pizza Bar

[progladyte]

I don't like pretentious food presentation being used as an excuse for charging high prices.

You know the sort of thing, a few morsels of food neatly arranged into a mini-tower in the centre of an enormous square plate and surrounded by a zig-zag dribbling of coloured sauce. The whole thing can usually be consumed in about two mouthfuls.

Yeah! I went to a fancy restaurant once and the waiter asked me how I found the steak?

I said,

"Well, I looked under a piece of carrot and sure enough, there it was!"