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Friday, September 11, 2009

Lunch @ Persimmon

The National Gallery of Victoria is currently running a Dali Exhibition.

dali exhibition© by Haalo

and as you can't take photos inside the exhibit this is all that you'll see unless you go there yourself. While we left the exhibit feeling a little underwhelmed that feeling soon changed after our lunch at Persimmon.



There's a new chef in charge of the kitchens here since we last visited a year ago - I can't believe it's been that long and on the floor we recognise another familiar face from Vue de Monde - that makes two in the space of a few hours.

To coincide with the Dali exhibition a special Dali menu is available, in either 2 or 3 course options - there's also a well sized a la carte menu. We've gone for the Dali option, but whichever way you go, there's always excellent bread to begin with.

persimmon© by Haalo

For Starters:

persimmon© by Haalo

I do love my scallops and this certainly fulfilled my desire - still opaque in the centre, sweet and tender. The tiny cubes of chorizo provided a hit of spice and a change of texture. Rolled in spinach, the mousse was light and airy while the piquillo pepper puree provided a cohesive flavour to the dish.

persimmon© by Haalo

Our next course is a little treat from the Kitchen - it's a dish off the regular menu and the first thing that hits you is that lovely aroma of grilled bread, that scent of slight charring. At the core of the terrine is the rabbit loin, still pink and tender.

persimmon© by Haalo

Fork tender, the cheek just falls apart at the slightest touch.

persimmon© by Haalo

We really are getting spoilt when a pre-dessert comes out - one again this is off the regular menu. There's a really refreshing burst of berry from that sprinkling of dust, a hint of spice from the crunchy crumbled base. The flavours remind me of a real strawberry shortcake.

persimmon© by Haalo

A very fine ending to the meal - crisp flaky pastry base supporting a sweet soft caramelised pear, caramel sauce and a luscious turron ice cream.

We've always given great props to the food coming out of the kitchen here and it's been great to see that the standard has been maintained and in fact, he has put his own style onto the food - all the dishes we had left us wanting to try more.


The details:

Persimmon
Ground Level
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road
Melbourne

Open:
Daily: 11am-4pm

6 comments:

  1. My favourite place - if I lived in the city I'd be there everyday - Chef Terry makes wonderful food. Might have to stop by on the weekend :)
    And I was also a little disappointed in the dali exhibit - most of my favourite pieces weren't there.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous14:05

    I'm not really sure how anyone could come away from a Dali exhibition underwhelmed?!

    Did you go to the same exhibition that i did? Dali is a master of many different media. The exhibition contained more than 200 pieces from these different areas... there is really something for everyone to appreciate - i fail to see how anyone could leave underwhelmed?!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Perhaps Anonymous you should consider these facts, that this isn't the first Dali exhibition we've been to and that we've seen far better exhibitions in the past. I don't believe we truly saw the best of Dali. It was a successful exhibition but sheeple are easily pleased.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11:52

    Each to their own i suppose.

    I too have seen several Dali exhibitions overseas.

    Personally I think it's great that the NGV are spreading the word and bringing a bit of art & culture to people who would normally not experience such things. Sheep or not.

    Now back to the food!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Being allowed to think for ourselves is indeed a great thing - it would be a boring world if we all conformed to the one opinion. I hope all exhibitions and in fact in all facets of life, people are encouraged to explore for themselves and not just settle with being satisfied with what they have seen or heard.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Perhaps Anonymous you should consider these facts, that this isn't the first Dali exhibition we've been to and that we've seen far better exhibitions in the past. I don't believe we truly saw the best of Dali. It was a successful exhibition but sheeple are easily pleased.

    ReplyDelete

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