Just over a week ago i discovered one of our local country pubs was, wait for it, developing a degustation menu to showcase their new winter menu. I was in rapture! The excitement and culinary adventure of a 7 course meal in the comforts of my local abode, plus i could kid myself i was 'supporting local business' which seems to be the big push at the moment.
Having never dined at this particular pub before, i must admit i was a little sceptical about their idea of fine dining. I did discuss with my family who i attended the night with that i was expecting deep fried canapes, steak and veg and an ice-cream/sundae dessert. But i was very pleasantly surprised. While the dishes weren't of the gastronomical nature (foams and gravels with fancy french accompaniments), they were very well presented and cooked beautifully. I would endorse anyone looking for a good local eat to try the new menu out.
The biggest problem i found with the night was being rather new to the concept of blogging, i often found myself finishing a course to realise i hadn't captured it on film, so i apologise for the gaps in photos.
Above: The mocktail served for those who weren't drinkers. My sister seemed to quite enjoy it, plus there was a rosella hidden in their which surprised us.
Above: The first of the Entree's, a spinach/garlic/cream cheese stuffed portobello mushroom which appeared to have been fried, drizzled with a balsamic reduction. The flavours of the mushroom were delectable, but the strength of the reduction just made me think of when you spread too much vegemite on your toast!
Above: The second entree was a petite smoked salmon and prawn roulade with a dill cream. Very nice with the lemon juice and dill flavours, the salmon was definitely different to how i normally eat it (pan-fryed), but still very nice.
Above: Of the two mains, i couldn't manage to get a picture of the mini rib-eye fillet, by 'mini' what they really meant was too small for pixels to capture. So instead i photographed our Prawn, Calamari and Fish Laksa in a spring roll basket served on a bed of lettuce and noodles. The seafood was cooked beautifully, and the flavours were all their to be a brilliant dish, i just wish their was more of the creamy laksa sauce and a little less of the foliage.
Above: To end the night we were served dessert and a cheese platter, i figure you've all seen cheese and crackers before, but this was Stewed apples in a cointreau reduction on a puff pastry bed with a scattering of strawberries and a 'belgian' chocolate on the side ( my experiences tell me it was actually a lindt chocolate, thus swiss). Probably could have done with a squirt of fresh cream instead of the cointreau reduction, a little sweet for me, or just a plate of those yummy 'belgian' chocolates lol.
All in all, both my mother and sister were in agreeance that the night was not only a pleasant surprise but a great success. 6 thumbs up for the job 'The Lockyer' staff did and i only hope they offer similiar nights in the future.
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