Axil Coffee Roasters

March 26, 2012 4 Comments

Opening hours:
Mon-Sun: 7am – 4pm

Coffee: Axil house blend, single origin, filter coffee, affogato, other specialty coffee techniques changed daily

Mr LB:
“I am the greatest” said the great man, Muhammad Ali in his public poem that was humorous and confident that he would be world champ. It’s the determination and self believe that strikes at our hearts. To publicly come out and face your top competition head on is gutsy no matter the context. To determine which is the best cafe in Melbourne, it isn’t about the punches they throw but the consistent delivery of mind-blowing coffee and mouth-watering dishes. When a three-time coffee champion and third placing barista (entering the World Barista Coffee Championship) decides to open a new cafe venture called Axil Coffee Roasters, you know there is something magical.

We had walked into the coffee arena on a Sunday afternoon to find an impressive cafe space. There is seating outside but its inside where it all happens. The floor space is long and is emphasised with its tall roof. Along the middle is a divider of metal grates with cute hanging pot plants. In the right corner is the barista station pumping out coffee with its two shiny machines, with their coffee trophies gleaming behind them. In the left corner is the seating area with dark chairs and light wooden tables with intimate drop lights adding an industrial touch. All the right combination for a cafe contender.

It was time to dance like a butterfly and taste the sensational coffee of the Axil Coffee Roasters house blend. I would typically start with a traditional long black [$3.50], however, Miss SL had inquired what an Affogato [$5] (a shot of coffee and a dob of ice cream) was  and I couldn’t resist. The initial taste provided a strong coffee shot, however it had become smoother with the ice cream. It was a fusion of a strong, crisp coffee with a sweet aftertaste. Put simply, I was blown away. I did also opted for a short black [$3.50] as a closure to our meal. It had a fine crisp taste with a slightly bitter flavour . Whether it’s the traditional blend or going for something new, Axil Coffee Roasters can cater to your coffee needs.

Savoury French toast w/ spinach, sautéed wild mushrooms and truffled pecorino cheese

Hit by coffee greatness, it was time to break my fast. The brunch and lunch menu at Axil Coffee Roasters is limiting, but you can’t judge your opponent by its looks. Brunch was on my mind and I took a jab at the Savoury French toast w/ spinach, sautéed wild mushrooms and truffled pecorino cheese [$16]. I was expecting a small-portioned plate with an odd taste. My expectation was certainly countered with a big right hook as my two pieces of bread were soaked in a delectable creamy egg mixture and topped with a generous amount of mushrooms. The sautéed wild mushroom perfectly suited the dish as they didn’t overpower the other flavours. They were soft with a hint of balsamic vinegar and was well complemented with strong-aged cheese. It was refreshing, filling and yet innovative when compared to the typical French toast.

Axil Coffee Roasters has made a big impact in positioning itself in the Melbourne cafe scene. I wouldn’t just come here for coffee but also the food. I must confess that upon writing this review we had already been to Axil Coffee Roasters three times in the past two months. This is saying something for a duo that doesn’t live that close to this coffee-house.“

Miss SL:
“An old work mate of mine lived around the corner of a rather new (and by new I mean less than one year old) cafe that had made its name around the blogging circuits – Axil Coffee Roasters. Known for serving an excellent brew, we’d decided that it was about time that we checked it out for ourselves.

David Makin and partner in crime Zoe Delany are two barista’s with a coffee passion and their history certainly reveals this fact. They’d entered a number of competitions (including the World Barista Coffee Championships) and even won a few. Makin has been 5 years running AASCA (AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association) barista champion, most recently taking out the title in 2011. Delany has not been far behind, coming runner-up in last years competition. So what would a cafe look like, designed by StStyle and run by two of the best competing baristas around? Quirky, yet classy.

As we walked into Axil Coffee Roasters, the length of the room was almost forgettable as the wire fencing decked with pot plants created focus on the split of the room. The raised section was perched against black walls with a giant bowling-alley-turned-table hiding modestly in the back of the cafe. The lower section is made for couples or singles only, with bench space cleverly used to maximise seating opportunities.

Running into some friends as we entered, we decided to group-dine and all made our orders quite quickly. Picking out the House smoked trout and scrambled egg wrap w/avocado salsa and snow pea tendrils [$18], my eyes were drawn to something on the coffee end of the menu – an Affogato [$5]. What was that?
“A shot of Espresso with vanilla ice cream,” explained the waitress. I was sold. It was exactly the kind of beverage I was after – laced with strong coffee but contained a certain level of creaminess and coolness to detract from the hot day. It came out and I was excited – the colour was luscious and thick, the aroma magnificent and the ice-cream delectable. This was going to be an experience.

The coffee was sweet and powerful – the flavour of nectar mixed with the ice cream was like an explosion in my mouth. It was too sweet for me to drink it all in one shot – there was definitely some savoring of the flavours involved.

House smoked trout and scrambled egg wrap w/avocado salsa and snow pea tendrils

Our meals had arrived and they were well plated. My fluffy scrambled eggs were hidden underneath the wrap and salad, so I did what any self-righteous bruncher would do and – with a squeeze of lemon – commenced my tasting. The avocado was really fresh and lifted by the zesty lemon, a guaranteed winning combination in my books. The tomatoes were delicious and burst with flavour.

Cutting into the wrap revealed fluffy, perfectly made scrambled eggs. The trout seemed to get lost amongst the various elements of the dish, but overall was delicious.

Spicy baked eggs w/ goats cheese feta, dukkah, and pepperonata sauce with a side of toast

Our friends had ordered the Spicy baked eggs w/ goats cheese feta, dukkah, and pepperonata sauce with a side of toast [$16.50], which they insisted was the most delicious vegetarian item on the menu.

I was perfectly satisfied with the volume of food consumed, but greed had gotten the better of me as I twisted Mr LBs arm to indulge in a Strawberry + Pistachio Tart [$5]. It was magnificent in every way possible. The short crust was savory and crisp without being burnt. The custard filling was refrigerator-cold and the strawberries were glossy and just as juicy as they looked. The pistachios were an amazing combination, crumbled on top to create a unique edge to this dessert.

Strawberry + Pistachio Tart

Axil Coffee Roasters are absolutely worth the hype. The food could perhaps be pushed to the next level, but they’re already there with their coffee. Perhaps it was just because I’d tried the Affogato instead of my usual order, but it was definitely the highlight of my meal.”

Final thought: “Amazing affogato – creamy , strong and smooth with ice cream”

Axil Coffee Roasters on Urbanspoon

Filed under Baked Eggs, Brunch dessert, East, Fish, French Toast, Hawthorn Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MFWF – Express Lunch @ Pearl Restaurant

March 22, 2012 3 Comments

Opening hours:
Mon – Sun: 12pm – 11pm

Coffee: Lavazza

A Melbourne Food & Wine Special Event

It’s sad to announce that once again the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival has closed its doors for the year. While we haven’t been as active in broadcasting our food adventures as we would have liked, there was one last Express Lunch left at two hat establishment Pearl Restaurant in Richmond. Named after the hard object which many of the female kind would love to wear, this gem of a restaurant certainly strut its stuff with its modern Australian / Thai inspired menu.

Mr LB:
“Any foodie would know about Pearl Restaurant. I have to admit that before I had experienced Pearl Restaurant I could have easily gone to ten other high-end restaurants before seriously considering going there. Subjective opinions of the public could never guarantee me to ensure I would impress Miss SL for an exceptional night out, and so I went with some uncertainty.

Upon entering Pearl Restaurant there was a little perceived pretentiousness. There was an automatic swing door and the staff were exceptionally attentive. As we were seated I took in the clean white decor and in-vogue lighting. The atmosphere was relaxed and yet professional and the waiters were diligent but casual. They came at the right time without being overbearing and they interacted well with guests when pouring wine and presenting dishes. We were quite relaxed and ready for a perfect Sunday lunch.

The wine started to flow and I had decided on the Pinot Grigio, or as the waiter cheekily put it- “pinko grigio”, due to its pink colouring. My wine tasting skills can be described as modest at best. What I can tell you is that it had a lovely crisp taste with very subtle notes. It wasn’t as fruity as a Sauvignon Blanc but nor was it dull. A medium balance to complement with a meal.

Sashimi grade swordfish salad with green mango and heart of palm, coriander and rice paddy herb, red nam jim

Dessert wasn’t a consideration and with that settled I elected for an entree and main. For entree I went for the raw option of Sashimi grade swordfish salad with green mango and heart of palm, coriander and rice paddy herb, red nam jim and for mains I opted for the Slow cooked western plains pork with coconut caramel, hand rolled noodles and green papaya salad.

For the entree the first noticeable element was the powerful Thai influence in the first mouthful. The fresh coriander was glossed with the nam jim. The swordfish was prepared perfectly to be soft and was well complemented with the heart of palm and mango.
The heart of the palm counter-balanced the dish, but also brought its own subtle flavours. This dish was incredible with its preparation, plating and tastes and without a doubt delivered remarkable Thai food.

Slow cooked western plains pork with coconut caramel, hand rolled noodles and green papaya salad

With the entree completed, my excitement for mains had grown. Even though my dish wasn’t going to match Miss SL’s signature dish, it was sure to be something special. The plating was visually pleasing with the rice noodles wrapped into log shapes, used as a bed for the pork to rest. The pork had a lovely juicy taste and was a generous serving size, topped with a small salad. The pork itself succeeded as the star of the dish. The top skin was surprisingly soft and carmalised with little crunchy pieces. It was easy to cut through and I was able to enjoy the full depth of the top middle and bottom layers of the meat.

Thrice cooked hand cut chips with roasted garlic aioli and tomato jam

We were also naughty little children and ordered the Thrice cooked hand cut chips with roasted garlic aioli and tomato jam [$8 supplement].As expected for thrice cooked hand cut chips, they were definitely a mark above the average chip. They were crunchy on the outside but oh so soft on the inside. Out of the two sauces, the tomato jam had caught my taste buds. There was a true tomato texture and flavour which included mustard seeds. The roasted garlic aioli had a mayo flavor but wasn’t left behind, demolished between the two of us.

Pearl Restaurant didn’t just exceed my expectations but also changed my perspective. I could understand why they are a constant fixture in The Age – Good Food Guide and numerous other awards. Sure, the price point is a bit high and this might be their undoing given mixed reviews. Whether it’s hype or just plain luck on our behalf, Pearl Restaurant is worthy of its status.”

Miss SL:
“There are some places you hear mixed reviews about – places where people either love it or wouldn’t really bother going back. Pearl Restaurant in Richmond seems to have been one of those places – I’d heard mixed responses from my friends but overall wasn’t deterred in going there to try it for myself. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t even sure what cuisine it was. When we sat down and looked at the menu I immediately realised it was a (mostly) high-end Thai restaurant.

Pearl Restaurant was very clever in the way that they designed their express lunch. There was the option to stick to the two courses [$35] or upgrade to three courses [$49]. On top of that, the restaurant goer had the opportunity to supplement their meals (for an additional cost) for some of Pearl‘s signature dishes. I was sucked in. I stuck my guns to two courses but decided to supplement my main and dessert for some signature dishes, going for the Coconut braised red duck curry with son in law egg, sweet fish sauce and cucumber ajar, coconut scented jasmine rice [$15 supplement] and Rose petal turkish delight ice cream with glace ginger and vanilla scented persian fairy floss [$5 supplement]. This brought my meal total to a cool $55, but hey – while I’m here, I may as well give it a proper shot, right?!

Coconut braised red duck curry with son in law egg, sweet fish sauce and cucumber ajar, coconut scented jasmine rice

The house red was a Pinot Noir by Cross Roads, and was very delicious. It was easy to sip and enjoy without overpowering the senses. When my red duck curry came out I knew I made the right choice. The coconut scented jasmine rice sat invitingly in the centre of a large black dish, beckoning me to lather it with the paste from the sweet fish sauce and cucumber ajar that sat beneath the son in law eggs. On the waitresses advice, I added the sauce to the rice, mixing it in and adding some sprouts, duck and lime. WOOSH! The flavour explosion was instantaneous. The red duck curry was the best I’d ever eaten – the sauce thick, rich and creamy. Perhaps I’m wrong, but it tasted like tamarind was used to give the curry a tangy and authentic flavour, encouraging the spices to linger in my mouth.

Coconut braised red duck curry with son in law egg, sweet fish sauce and cucumber ajar, coconut scented jasmine rice

I’d broken open the fried exterior of the son in law egg and it oozed out immediately over my rice. WOW! Who would have though that coconut flavoured Jasmine rice and egg would go so well? The heat from the dish quickly encouraged me to reach for my greens, creating a balance.

Rose petal turkish delight ice cream with glace ginger and vanilla scented persian fairy floss

When dessert came I was ecstatic. It was romantically plated with deep pink / red rose petals lining the dish and pomegranate seeds peeping out underneath the vanilla scented fairy floss. The smell of this dish was just gorgeous – the sweet sugary vanilla and rose water scents rose from the plate and into my nose, teasing me to dig in and enjoy. The fairy floss was very sweet and melted in my mouth immediately. The ice cream was very cold – as you’d expect – and yet, added an element of suprise to the dish. There was something about mixing the temperatures of a dish that really intrigued me. The turkish delight flavours amongst the ice cream was enhanced with the sweet fairy floss and chunks of glaced ginger really added to the many textures that were experienced all at once.

Rose petal turkish delight ice cream with glace ginger and vanilla scented persian fairy floss

Pearl Restaurant was an amazing experience and I really don’t care to hear otherwise. Mr LB and I discussed afterwards and agreed that it would be totally worth the a la carte price and that we’d be going back again sometime this year. If you like Thai and you have a bit of cash to splash then Pearl Restaurant is a must do. No ifs, but, next times – make it your next priority.

Final thought: “High end Thai food. The signature red duck curry is worth every penny”

Pearl on Urbanspoon

Filed under Brunch dessert, Fine Dining, MF&W, Richmond, Strictly Not Brunch Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

Truman Speaks

March 14, 2012 Leave a comment

Opening hours:
Mon – Sun: 8am – 4pm

Coffee: Di Bella

Mr LB:
“Truth. It has such a complicated theme for a word with a basic concept of being in accordance with fact or reality. Some truths are not to be mention, as the cost of telling the truth destroys any benefits yielded. There is no denying that the truth hurts in any situation. It’s the cold hard facts that only some want to know, while others prefer to be lied to. According to some researchers, spilling the beans in the situation of being guilty of a serious wrongdoing brings a strong sense of relief. The true character of a cafe can’t be hidden, misinterpreted or deceived. It’s all up for show and the brunch-goer bares witness to all its charm, sophistication and idiosyncrasies. Lucky for Truman Cafe in Albert Park, it’s all show and no shame.

Truman Cafe is located in the picture perfect suburb of Albert Park. There is seating outside, but it is inside where I believe the action is. There were numerous assorted figurines and paintings resonating a kid-like vibe. This unique character which is reflected around the room and within the staff.

My thirst for coffee could not be suppressed, and I ordered my long black [$3] straight away. The coffee was provided by the popular and well established blend – Di Bella coffee. It was served in a cute red cup and a side of boiled water for flavour customisation. There was a smooth texture initially but unfortunately a little bitterness could be tasted at the end of the sip. There was a slight nutty flavour throughout and this was further enhanced when water was added. It was a good coffee and to tell the truth most people would love it. However, it didn’t suit my coffee palate. I’m a fruit-man myself, but it still passed as a better coffee then some so-called ”city cafes” offer.

The flavour and presentation of a dish can’t lie, even if they try. It is possibly the deal breaker for any cafe. The true reputation of a cafe is largely determined by its food followed by the coffee. With that in mind I decided on Connie’s Eggs poached eggs in Napoli sauce with chorizo and spinach on toasted baguette [$15.50]. The sauce was definitely the outstanding performer with its authentic Italian tomato taste which was heavenly. The poached eggs and toasted baguette were a fantastic combination as the bread soaked in all of the goodness. In summary, the meal was a surprising winner and was truly high quality. It’s a well thought out and executed dish that is worth a weekend try.

Connie’s Eggs poached eggs in Napoli sauce with chorizo and spinach on toasted baguette

Upon the staff finding our bill organised in the “table receipt” spelt in scrabble tiles, I had the urge for a small take away brunch dessert. The Banana & Coconut cupcake [$5] had looked a treat. The main reason for selecting this delight was for its two layers of icing. The banana cake was lovely, however the sponge was a little dry. This was seemingly intentional as the icing layer in the centre of the cupcake had a lovely thick taste that cleverly balanced out this snack. Cheeky!

Banana & coconut cupcake

Truman Cafe is a place that isn’t trying to be like every other cafe. With quirky decor and friendly staff, they have successfully cultivated a cafe culture that is warm but also desirable with its seductive menu. It’s the right about of quirkiness to be located in Albert Park and worth a giving a go.”

Miss SL:
“Life is full of hustling and bustling and it feels that as we get older we get less and less time to spend on ourselves. Another week had flown by us and suddenly the weekend had arrived. Truman was the answer of our cafe prayers on this occasion and we arrived tired after a morning bike ride and run. At first I must admit I was not very impressed with the decor but as we sat on the breakfast bar looking out the street, I came to enjoy the simple charms this cafe had to offer.

Perusing the menu, I was struck by the fact that nothing was over $15.50. Bargain! So, what to drink on a warm summers day? As I ask the waitress what my options were for milkshakes, she suggested I try the espresso milkshake [$5]. Yes please! It came out in a tall glass, smooth and creamy, perfectly balanced with a shot of espresso coffee. The flavours were in perfect harmony and I vowed to have more of these as summer and autumn went on.

espresso milkshake

For brunch I decided to order The Truman – scrambled eggs, house-made potato & leek hash served with avocado, relish [$15.50]. I needed something healthy and I must admit, nothing on the menu captured my fancy other than the concept of potato and leek in a delicious hash. I have always loved the flavour of lemon and avocado – there’s something just so fresh about the combination and on this occasion there was no exception. The tomato relish was like a grown-up version of tomato sauce – it was not spicy, but mild and chunky.

The Truman – scrambled eggs, house-made potato & leek hash served with avocado, relish

The potato and leek hash was the star of this dish and I wish I had the recipe to make it at home. The potato was perfectly cooked through and the flavours of leek provided a gentle undertone on my palate. It was like eating creamy potato and leek soup.

Truman certainly had its fair share of quirk. It wasn’t obvious at first, but as I sat and pondered the week that had been my eyes wandered over the silver-tinned garden pots, the little figurines and bird statues. There was something calm and homely about Truman. Something that took my mind off everyday life… made me want to go back again. The quality of the food on offer, the friendly staff and the announcing quirk made this place special – and worth the visit.”

Final thought: “Mouth watering Napoli sauce”

Truman Cafe on Urbanspoon

Filed under Albert Park, Baked Eggs, Big Breakfast, Brunch dessert, Eggs (Other), Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

MFWF – Food Trucks Unite!

March 6, 2012 3 Comments

A Melbourne Food & Wine Special Event

The Food Truck, once parked next to a servo or in a dodgy alley are now the newest and most delicious food fad to hit Melbourne. Long gone the days that the food truck was providing greasy food at 3am after a big night on the town. Today food trucks are taking inspiration from various cuisines that are creative, big on taste and reasonably priced. They have evolved quite dramatically from the day the Texan cattleman were given food off a cart in remote locations. To celebrate this food inspiration the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival had organised ‘Food Trucks Unite’, an event where a selection of innovative food trucks took shop at Signal, Flinders Walk, Northbank to showcase their offerings. What could be a better way than to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon eating your way through each of the trucks?

We had arrived mid-afternoon and there was no denying we were hungry. The food trucks present on the day included, Dhaba, Cornutopia, Massive Wieners, Taco Truck and Beatbox. Scoping out the options it appeared that Taco Truck & Beatbox had strong lines to contend with. We couldn’t wait that long without poking someone’s eye out as we hadn’t eaten all morning and were starving. So for the interest of public safety and a clean criminal record, we had decide to have an entrée before we dug into one of the most popular trucks.

First up, we went to Dhaba and had an order of the Samosa plate two crispy triangle pastries stuffed with spice Trentham potatoes, pomegranate & crunchy green peas served with chutney [$8] and Aloo tikki two golden potatoes, patties filled with spice paneer served with chutney [$6] to share. Miss SL was also craving a Mango Lassi [$4] so we got one of those to quench our thirst.
The samosa’s were amazing. On the outside there was a lovely short-crust pastry with a slight Indian spice. Miss SL pointed out that she felt that perhaps the pastry was home-made, as normally samosa’s use a pastry similar to that of spring rolls. The filling made this little delight special. The potatoes and peas were perfectly cooked in spices, creating a mouthful of flavour with every bite.
The aloo tikki was equally intriguing and big on flavour. The potato had a very fine texture and it tasted like mashed potatoes but also looked grainy. The middle of the aloo tikki was stuffed with a filling which had a defined spicy flavour. I was expecting the chutney to be thicker but it was a good addition.

Aloo tikki two golden potatoes, patties filled with spice paneer served with chutney / Samosa plate two crispy triangle pastries stuffed with spice Trentham potatoes, pomegranate & crunchy green peas served with chutney / Mango Lassi

Once our stomachs were satisfied, we headed down to join the queues at Taco Truck (Miss SL had a particular craving for Mexican) and Beatbox (Mr LB’s belly craved for something substantial). After waiting for what felt like 10 minutes with little movement in the queue, Miss SL had given up and joined Mr LB for burgers. Between the two of us we ordered: Fries, served in a cone with Annie’s home-made relish [$5], a Ralph Burger 170gm grass-fed beef with cos lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion & stereo sauce [$11] and a Shroom Burger marinated whole Portobello mushroom with cos lettuce, gouda cheese, tomato & stereo sauce [$10]. Thirsts needed to be quenched so two cans of soft drink were also ordered [$3 each].

Fries served with Annies home made relish

The wait for food after ordering was approximately 20 minutes, so we were glad we’d had our earlier snacks. The fries were delivered after about 15 minutes and were cooked perfectly. Well salted, crisp and enough relish without drowning the chips. As for burgers, Mr LBs Ralph burger was just delicious! The quality and heartiness made it a real highlight. There was no sloppy lettuce pieces or a greasy patty that crumbled when the first bite was taken. The patty itself was thick, lean and yummy all round. They had even taken the time to grill the cheese on top. This burger was worth the wait with its fresh fillings it quite easily filled me right up.

Shroom burger marinated whole Portobello mushroom with cos lettuce, gouda cheese, tomato & stereo sauce / Raph Burger 170 gm grass-fed beef with cos lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion & stereo sauce

Miss SLs shroom burger was very filling. The mushroom acted as a perfect substitute for meat (believe it or not). Vegetarians rejoice, this burger delivers on flavour and satisfaction. The stereo sauce was a little generous and thin, but not enough to detract from the flavours of the mushroom and goauda cheese.

Overall, Food Trucks Unite was a great intiative by MFWF. There’s something about queing up and recieving wholesome food at the side of a travelling mini-van that seemed so satisfying. Having enjoyed the quality of food delivered by Beatbox and Dhaba, we’d definitely be keen to follow these guys (and their competitors) on twitter to see where they turn up next time. We recommend that you follow these inspirational food on wheels bandits and if they happen to be nearby, put down that skillet and get some quality food from a van.

Final thought: “Food from a truck never tasted so good”

Watch out for more events and pop-up food places that are still going as a part of the MFWF. We are excited to try Broadsheet Bar in Flinders Lane for a cheeky weekday cocktail to take the edge off the working week. We are also excited to explore Greenhouse by Joost, an sustainable pop up restaurant located on South Bank which is aesthetically beautiful. Oh, we also like the above picture- probably the only time in the year the Who’s Who of food look cool without their kitchen whites!

Filed under Burger, CBD, MF&W, Other Brunch Foods, Strictly Not Brunch, Vegetarian Breakfast Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MFWF – Express Lunch @ Embrasse

March 4, 2012 4 Comments

Opening hours:
Mon-Tues: Closed
Wed – Thurs: 6:30pm – late
Fri – Sun: 12pm – late

Coffee: Romacaffe

A Melbourne Food & Wine Special Event

March is the season that we start putting on our coats, sporting umbrellas and realise that winter is on its way. However, to distract us from the obvious drop in temperature is the annual Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, eating its way from the 2nd to 21st of March. It’s where Brunch Addict branches outside the realm of brunch to share some of the events this wonderful festival offers. This year is its 20th anniversary and there is certainly something special in the air.

No doubt the most popular events of the MFWF is the ‘World’s Longest Lunch’ and the ‘Crawl ‘n’ Bite’. Would you believe that when we tried to book in for some events last year in OCTOBER, they were already sold out?! But that doesn’t stop us from exploring as much of the festival as our schedules allow for! Our first MFWF event was The Express Lunch ($35 per person for 2 courses and glass of wine and tea/coffee at selected restaurants). We chose to go to Embrasse in Carlton – a little restaurant with big French flavours.

Mr LB:
“There was constant rain on the day of our Express Lunch and I was in need of a warm belly. I decided to opt out of dessert, choosing an entrée and main as my two courses. My first dish was the entrée and I couldn’t go passed the Squid cooked in red wine, parsley, zucchini and family, lemon, bergamot oil. The plating skills of the chef were amazing. It was like going to an art gallery as it was not only visually captivating but an eatable delight. The squid was prepared perfectly, having a good tender texture which was complemented well with the zucchini and squash. The zucchini was cooked enough to be eatable but also kept its body. The most surprising element on the dish was the green foam. It had this incredible zest to it, lifting each element on the plate to a new level.

Squid cooked in red wine, parsley, zucchini and family, lemon, bergamot oil

For my main I had elected the Fish of the day poached in a brown butter, burnt onion, chive, carrot cooked under a pile of mud, grapes, cucumber, cauliflower custard. The fish was filleted and poached to perfection. It was moist and nicely dissolved on the palate. Given it was poached with brown butter I was surprised that it didn’t taste of butter, nor was it heavy or greasy.  The spread of chives and burnt onion (which looked like pepper) was the perfect addition, enhancing the flavours of the fish. The cauliflower custard complemented the fish perfectly and the clear grape sauce injected a slightly sweet flavour creating a complimentary balance. The various flavours came together perfectly, with each element and different textures creating a truly unique dining experience.

Fish of the day poached in a brown butter, burnt onion, chive, carrot cooked under a pile of mud, grapes, cucumber, cauliflower custard

Coffee was last and it was provided by RomaCaffe. It was definitely not the best coffee going around and it did have a slight bitter taste. Lets be honest though – a lot of Melbourne’s fine dining establishments have a long way to go in this department and I won’t hold it against Embrasse.

If you can’t tell, I am quite gob-smacked. With the multiple flavours and artistic presentation, Embrasse is not just a dining experience but also a visual one too. It’s no wonder it’s a One Hat restaurant in The Age Good Food Guide. We have definitely started this year’s Melbourne Food & Wine Festival off on a big high.”

Miss SL:
“Every now and then Mr LB and I like to go out for a fine dining experience. Every quarter (or thereabouts) we select one of Melbourne’s top restaurants and try it for ourselves – Coda, Movida, Madame SouSou and Easy Tiger to name a few. For a long time I’d been wanting to try a French restaurant known as Embrasse. The price point on the a la carte menu was as high as Cutler and Co. though, so I was always put off.

When I saw back in October 2011 that they were offering an Express Lunch as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, I jumped on the opportunity and booked. We arrived to a mostly empty restaurant bar a few elderly people enjoying an early luncheon. The venue was much smaller than I anticipated and almost a little too intimate for day time.

Trellis Pinot Gris

We started with some red wine – going for the Trellis Pinot Gris. The wine was soft and aromatic. There was a hint of dryness as with any red, but not at all overbearing. The gentle tones of the wine made it very easy to drink and enjoy.

Roasted corn feed chicken, eggs, stone fruits, our own rooftop honey, baked onion

Contrary to Mr LB, I decided to go for mains and dessert. For mains, I ordered the Roasted corn feed chicken, eggs, stone fruits, our own rooftop honey, baked onion. When it came out I was impressed – the chicken skin was grilled like pork crackle. It was crispy and salty, adding a contrasting texture to the soft, perfectly roasted chicken. The egg was so smooth and creamy it was almost unrecognisable as to what it was – easily mistaken as a perfectly created cream sauce. The rooftop honey was my favourite element of the dish. It was sweet without overpowering the dish. It was not nearly as sugary as other varieties of honey and was just right. The baked onion was lovely and also sweet, completing this dish.

Coconut mousse, frangipane, passionfruit, orange blossom

For dessert I ordered the Coconut mousse, frangipane, passionfruit, orange blossom. It came out and looked like a blob of mousse, with delectable bits of pop corn lazing on the surface. The mousse was so light and contained a hint of the coconut flavours in the backdrop of this masterpiece. When my spoon had hit sponge cake I was convinced that this dish was outstanding. Soaked in what I’m guessing was orange blossom, the sweet, dense cake danced in my mouth and I couldn’t have been happier. Passionfruit lined the edges of the cake before the mousse was sculpted on top, creating a crunchy bite.

Coconut mousse, frangipane, passionfruit, orange blossom

Embrasse was an incredible experience and I would definitely pay the prices to come here and have the a la carte menu. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without being annoying. This place is a true French-dining experience that must be enjoyed by all.”

Final thought: “A sensory experience – excellent fine dining and a must do”

Embrasse Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Filed under Brunch dessert, Carlton, Fine Dining, MF&W, North, Other Brunch Foods, Strictly Not Brunch Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

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