Lunch @ The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel

Having emerged from the Cheese Show around 12 we headed downstairs to check out the dining options at Crown. It boiled down to two - The Brasserie or Bistro Guilliame and obviously, The Brasserie won out.

It's a large, light and airy space located at a suitably far enough distance that you aren't distracted by the constant tinkling of the poker machines.

good, chewy, crusty rolls, warm from the oil is served alongside



olive oil and a house-made dukkah.

The menu is quite large with an abundance of interesting dishes we finally settle on the following:

For starters


Carpaccio of Wagyu tenderloin, porcini and walnut vinaigrette, celeriac and fruits julienne

A pleasure from the first bite to the last - the wagyu is so soft it falls apart, the flavour works well with the earthy porcini.

The Brasserie's assorted duck charcuterie with duck foie gras
Drink: 2005 Six Acres Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

This dish can be ordered with or without the foie gras but that wasn't an option for Paalo - going clockwise from the glass which contains duck rillettes we have, duck sausage, duck prosciutto, duck liver pate, duck tartare, slice of foie gras and in the centre duck ravioli.

Paalo very generously offered me tastings of each and I would have to agree with his assessment, it's very hard to actually pick a favourite.

Onto mains:

Duet of roasted duck breast and braised leg with beetroot
Drink: 2005 Louis Jadot Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy

It's my turn  for some duck - pink roasted duck breast sitting atop a braised leg and served with a rich lacquer like jus.

Pork hock stuffed with pork sausage on braised lentils

Paalo ordered one of the specials - the most amazing dish of pork hock - you could almost eat it with a spoon it was just that gelatinous. 

For sides we order:

Well crusted Potato Gratin


Sautéed mushrooms with Parisienne gnocchi

Because it has been such an enjoyable afternoon, we finish off with


The Brasserie's Dessert Tasting Plate - there's pistachio ice-cream, raspberry sorbet, chocolate cake, rum baba, apple tart, coffee pannacotta and brioche.

I think we can safely say that there is one very good reason to visit the Crown complex and it's The Brasserie.

The details:

The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel
Riverside at Crown

Open:
7 days - Lunch and Dinner

web: The Brasserie