Fine Dining « Gossip Food

13
Aug

Vue de Monde

4 comments | Category: Fine Dining | Posted by: evane

Normanby Chambers
430 Little Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9691 3888

http://www.vuedemonde.com.au

From the first step you take inside the restaurant, located at the historic Normanby Chambers, you are treated with the utmost in hospitality and service. We were shown into a chic lounge while they were “putting the finishing touches” on our table. The lounge showcased some terribly expensive wines and has armchairs that I lusted over.

The actual dining room itself has dark polished wood flooring (that I almost slipped on, oh, about a dozen times – that proves how perfectly smooth the floor is, or that I’m a klutz, whichever), comfortably spaced out table areas and a chic, modern interior. Large angled mirrors hang from the ceiling so patrons can watch dishes being constructed. This offers a great excuse to be inattentive to dinner dates.

Shortly after being seated, we were served with a cold pressed heirloom tomato consommé chilled with dry ice and served in champagne flutes upon which sat a tortilla-like tart filled with a cured Spanish mackerel cerviche with dehydrated olives and topped with baby basil. It was utterly delectable. The clear tomato consommé that looked not unlike champagne had a slight fizzy, fishy flavour to it which matched well with the cerviche. The dry ice is a bonza idea – it looks flashy and chills the soup right down without diluting it.

That, I believe, is an evil ploy to get the stomach juices flowing and to decide on a larger menu, which was indeed what we did. We decided on the nine course degustation menu ($250 pp).* The menu included some of Shannon Bennett’s (owner/chef) signature dishes and is a true experience in modern French fine dining.