FAT GOOSE

I agree with everything you have both said. Melbourne should be very proud of its status in the gastronomic world because of the infectious passion that diners and the industry display. food critics owe it to their readers to do the same. I also used to be a chef but now involved in marketing and I have a great enjoyment of eating at Vue de monde, interlude, Circa and many other great restaurants quite regularly because of my occupation so I understand their positions in the market place, with your support these guys will listen and learn from their mistakes and the needs of their clientele because they want to survive and help rebuild this city's reputation that was destroyed by the good food guide a few years ago when it awarded Est Est one hat and its bistro 3 hats, the culinary world was laughing at us, trust me I was overseas at the time. John Lethlean has come a long way since then and has helped repair the damage done in 2000. I quite like his reviews and I now trust his opinion.

PCL you must have something against this restaurant, I also do not belive you have been 5 or 6 times becasue if that was the case you would have posted something negative long before now. can't you see that you are in the minority? Think positive rather than negative thoughts when it comes to the Melbourne scene and stop whining about prices, you lived in London so I am sure you know how cheap restaurants are here? why does Melbourne always do this to its own city? The place is all about great food and wine it's leading edge, training some of Melbourne finest young chefs and waiters who are working very hard to acheieve a product that is very good. Stop being petty if a restaurant is that bad then don't talk about it. Something Steven downes could not do because that is the only reason the Herald sun employ him and that is to stir up the pot with highly unprofessional and imature views of Melbourne's top establishments. Andrew Mc Connell, Michael Lambie, flower drum and even Stephanie Alexander at the famous Stephanies all got a hammering at some point from this guy, basically i have heard through my industry connections that he reviews anything Lethlean reviews then will score it at the opposite end of the spectrum to prove a point to the publication that sacked him for taking a consulatancy role with crown whilst giving them unjustified raving reviews such as KOKO 18.5/20. The guy is a cheap red wine stain on the restaurant and catering industry of victoria and i urge Shannon and his team to ignore it, just keep cooking and working hard.

Being an e gullet virgin I thought it pertinent that my 'first time' pick up the commentary regarding what I believe is one of Melbourne (actually Australia's!) finest dining 'experiences' - Vue de monde. Since its inception in 2000 I have had the pleasure of dining at Vue de monde on countless occasions - some with a gastronomic group to which I belong and others more informally with my wife and close friends. Without exception these experiences have been outstanding and Bennett's execution of his highly ambitious cuisine close to flawless. It has been our experience that the tailored menu gourmand that is offered at Vue de monde is not merely a set degustation but an amazing opportunity to be cooked for and we are always torn between requesting our favourites and trusting Bennett's whim on that particular day (each of which are equally rewarding!) It is with surprise that I read PCL's comments and with confusion that I note Shinboners' willingness to concede to PCL's apparent culinary knowledge. Especially considering that this is based on only one visit and is in parts blatantly incorrect! I am a firm believer that it is both unfair and unwise to critically judge a restaurant based on only one visit - (ok, do so in your own mind and in the privacy of your own company but to wax lyrical about it on a forum??) I am familiar with most of the dishes listed by both PCL and Shinboners and intimately so with some of them as they are thoroughly recorded by our gastronomic group. The carbonara of which PCL speaks was a highlight; and his incorrect assumption of an alcohol based sauce (which it was not) and of crispy pancetta (which was in fact the most delicately sliced piece of Spanish ham not cooked but wrapped around the pasta) leads me to question his understanding of the dish entirely! I have yet to eat foie gras in this country which rivals Bennett's many interpretations. In my experience it is only in France that this sort of execution is encountered. My understanding is that the foie gras used by Bennett is demi-cuit – which is pasteurised and the same as PCL refers to, yet the perfectly peeled grapes and walnuts, the apple and the eight spice that accompanied the seared version I had was sublime and finished with a delicate sauternes emulsion - I was in fat goose heaven! Shinboners - congrats on continuing to list Vue De Monde as a favourite and Oz Mouse - make it happen - the majority of commentary on this site re VDM is glowing - don't let the one experience of one deter you! Where expense appears to be a recurring issue I challenge you all to out value Vue de monde's lunch menu - at $26 (two courses and a glass of wine) it is unbeatable!