3 weeks in Australia and NZ

[weedy]

I'm just back from 3 weeks on tour in Australia and New Zealand

 

Sydney - this is the 6th time (i think) I've been to Cafe Sydney and it's still one of my favorite places anywhere. Great food, beautiful view, nice atmosphere, good service. 

a great place.

 

Melbourne - Rockpool continues to be a strong entry here, especially their selection of steaks from wagyu through to 60 month grass fed... but crudos and other starters were also strong, including a stellar lobster omelet!

 

Perth - Shorehouse restaurant (in Swanbourne) was excellent. on the water staring out at sunset over the Indian Ocean helps!, but also some really good food in a relaxed open air atmosphere.

 

the bad news was that Rockpool Perth was poor in every way. Uncaring service, spotty cooking, wrong orders, a complete miss; and nothing at all what I would have expected based on my many previous visits to Rockpools in Melbourne and Sydney.

 

Auckland  - we had a nice dinner at Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill. nice spot overlooking the harbour, seafood centric menu. The local crayfish (a clawless lobster basically, it was more than a pound and a half, not the tiny Louisiana crawfish, if that's what you're picturing) was the standout winner.

Edited April 20, 2017 by weedy (log)

[haresfur]

And you didn't come by and say hi? Sounds like a great trip. I've heard good things about Rockpool but I'm not so meat focused.

[SamanthaH]

Rockpool is absolutely amazing, have been there multiple times. Maybe its just me but I couldn't taste the difference between their $50 steaks and their $300 steaks!

 

Caution that if you dont know what you're looking for in taste and quality of a steak, potentially just get the more affordable one

[gfweb]

3 hours ago, SamanthaH said:

Rockpool is absolutely amazing, have been there multiple times. Maybe its just me but I couldn't taste the difference between their $50 steaks and their $300 steaks!

 

Caution that if you dont know what you're looking for in taste and quality of a steak, potentially just get the more affordable one

 

Even if you can tell the difference, its hard to imagine that the improvement in taste would be proportional to the greater price.  But we have covered this ground before  🙂

[Ddanno]

29 minutes ago, gfweb said:

 

Even if you can tell the difference, its hard to imagine that the improvement in taste would be proportional to the greater price.  But we have covered this ground before  🙂

 

See that "Salt Bae" [expletive deleted] 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/oct/17/jay-rayner-restaurant-review-kebab-kid-london-take-away-as-a-cult-nusr-et-steakhouse

 

(I've eaten at Kebab Kid and it's as amazing as Jay says in the article)

Edited 5 hours ago by Ddanno (log)

[haresfur]

I did make it to Rockpool, a few years ago now, for a Buck's party lunch for a former/inactive eG member. At least one other former member was in attendance. I knew it was an all-in event. $$$ wines were flowing. The Sommelier helped the main wine-fiend guest who wanted something like some California something or other, saying, "I have this $$$$ bottle, but if you like that, you will like this $$$ bottle."

 

Most of the people around the table split portions of most of the steak available (no Wagu, unfortunately). No problem, a slew of waiters showed up and marched around the table dropping off slices for each person. I could have used more veg, the sides tasted good enough, though. The mac and cheese with bacon is a favourite of the guest of honour. I prefer my smoked salmon version. 

 

One of our friends, a pastry chef did his usual order one of each desert for himself. I can't remember which one or ones I had, but they were good.

 

So, yeah, it was way above my usual dining level and fun and good. I don't think I'd go again, unless it was a similar event.

 

FWIW, Bendigo has a high-end steak place, The Woodhouse, now. I've never been.

[gfweb]

2 hours ago, Ddanno said:

 

See that "Salt Bae" [expletive deleted] 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/oct/17/jay-rayner-restaurant-review-kebab-kid-london-take-away-as-a-cult-nusr-et-steakhouse

 

(I've eaten at Kebab Kid and it's as amazing as Jay says in the article)

 

Thanks, nice piece.

Rayner was an eG person in the glorious past.