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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Lunch @ Bistro Vue

Lucky me had the opportunity for a quick encore visit for a working lunch, I had planned a visit to Cafe Vue, but alas, standing room only meant a short walk to the Bistro.

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My colleague greatly enjoyed his eye fillet of grass fed beef with Bearnaise sauce and those infamous Pommes Frites.

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While I had the Plat Du Jour, a Mixed grill d'agneau being a Wednesday. This consisted of a couple of scallops, probably Canadian, a spicy sausage, a non-spicy sausage, a whole kidney halved, some baby tomatoes on the vine, a slice of roast lamb and piece of grilled fillet. This was served with a green salad and mound of coleslaw with an excellent mayonnaise.

Unfortunately no time for another of those, out of this world's, Tart Tatin. (At least that's what I'm telling Haalo).

Did have time for a very nice Cafe Latte at Cafe Vue which uses our coffee of choice, Illy.


The details:

Bistro Vue
Normandy Chambers
430 Little Collins St (Entry via New Chancery Lane)
Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9691 3838

Open: Monday to Saturday 11am to Late

http://www.bistrovue.com.au/bistro-vue.aspx

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Lunch @ Bistro Vue

Bistro Vue is the latest part of the Shannon Bennett empire. Following on from the fine dining temple that is Vue de Monde came Cafe Vue - this new venture is a take on a typical French Bistro located far from the Paris end of Collins Street. Three dining experiences all located in the one building.

We start with the usual - this time it's the ever faithful Champagne Jacquesson 730. To go with our meal we choose a bottle of the 2003 Louis Sipp Pinot Gris ($60).

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Breads for the table

Along with the champagne a hessian bag is deposited on the table containing four torpedo shaped baguettes - I'd say there were spelt sour dough with a nice chewy character.


snails
Poulet et escargot en rouleaux ($14)

Paalo opts to start with the snails - they are served in the shell and with a most incredible curry flavoured sauce. The sauce is also found in the glass. There are also 3 chicken filled rolls.

terrine
Chicken and Foie Gras Terrine ($22)

I have the terrine - the bread is toasted brioche that is wonderfully smoky from the grill. The chicken is divided by two generous layers of foie gras that just melt in your mouth. It's quite a substantial dish.

flowers



chicken
Poulet Roti ($29/person)

For our main we decide to have one of the two offerings that are available to share. The photo is of one serving. We both get a breast, leg and thigh each which is a very generous serve along with some still crunchy golfball carrots. The meat is above reproach, wonderfully tender and juicy and perfectly cooked.

fries spinach

Our side dishes are the Pommes Frites ($8) and Curried Spinach ($8). Now in the reviews of this place one of the criticisms has been the size of the serving of fries. Not once has "the aged" reviewer ever mentioned that these frites are cooked in GOOSE FAT. Sorry but I think the fact that they are cooked in goose fat goes to explain the portion size. These bear no relation to those found at the Scottish hamburger joint and therefore are not needed to be sold in super-sized portions.

cheese breads

Fromage - we show no favourites and choose a goat, cow and sheep cheese. For $20 you get 90 grams (approx.) of however many cheese you like and it's served with a good selection of breads including grissini, lavosh, black sesame seeded cheese cracker and the sourdough torpedo.

A cherry and rhubarb relish is served alongside.

room


tart
Tart Tartin aux poires for two ($24)

Our final indulgence is another dish for two - a Pear Tart Tartin that has got to be the best version of this dish we've ever eaten. If you come for nothing else, just come to have this!

A glass of Vue de Monde by Chambers Muscadelle ($7) is happily sipped as we savour the tartin.


The details:

Bistro Vue
Normandy Chambers
430 Little Collins St (Entry via New Chancery Lane)
Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9691 3838

Open: Monday to Saturday 11am to Late

http://www.bistrovue.com.au/bistro-vue.aspx

Friday, February 09, 2007

Dinner @ Fenix

To celebrate my sisters birthday we usually go out to dinner somewhere - but since she's in London at the moment that shouldn't mean we can't still celebrate but really, we'll make any excuse to head off to Fenix.

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Various Tomatoes in a Tomato Broth with a Sorrel and White Chocolate Ice Cream

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Gnocchi made from Comte cheese, beetroot

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Confit Salmon, Proscuitto, Prawns and jelly

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Seared Scallops & Bacon

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Coconut Sago, Basil Ice Cream, Mango Foam, Cucumber

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Petit Fours - mango jelly, salt and vinegar chocolate sticks, berry pops

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coffee art

The Details

Fenix can be found at
680 Victoria Street Richmond
(03) 9427 8500
Open: Tuesday - Sunday for Lunch; Tuesday - Saturday for Dinner
www.fenix.com.au


Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Would that include the tip?

A recent email from our fav Vue de Monde left us somewhat amused.

We've been to some special events in the past and they have been more than special. So this latest special event certainly piqued our interest.

It's going to be held on Saturday 24th of March in their private dining room and will be part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. A 10 course dinner matched to 10 vintages of Château Petrus with each vintage having scored 95 points or more by Robert Parker.

Adding even more prestige to the event is that the proprietor of Château Petrus, Christian Moueix has give it his blessing adding that "it's a privilege" for Château Petrus.

The wines have yet to be confirmed but you can book now and it will only cost you $10,000 per person.

And no, I haven't included an extra zero .