where to eatTop restaurants stress the quality of food over ambience - and the prices are very reasonable
FINE DINING IN Melbourne emphasises the quality of the food over ambience. Unlike Hong Kong, where businessmen flock to restaurants noted for their lavish presentation and decor, high-class eateries in the Australian metropolis concentrate on presenting delicious cuisine with a minimum of fuss.
Sure, there are opulent options such as the elaborately decorated Grossi Florentino and the iconic Chinese restaurant, Flower Drum. But trust your business host if you are taken somewhere more down to earth.
The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel serves simple, tasty food in a convivial atmosphere. Its celebrity chef, Philippe Mouchel, returned to Australia from Tokyo last year to run this riverside restaurant, where he is consistently proving that even simple dishes such as french fries can set the taste buds alight.
For entrees, the restaurant serves up favourites such as fresh oysters, spice-cured tuna in avocado tartare, cucumber gazpacho and snails provencale in tomato fondue, garlic and parsley butter.
Main courses include several classic French dishes. The moist pan-fried duck breast with honey, spices and wok sauteed vegetables, and the pan-fried aged rib of beef served with potato boulangere are highly recommended.
The selection of desserts, notably the fragrant rum baba, the rich Chantilly cream chocolate tart with vanilla sorbet, and the cherry clafouti and pistachio ice cream, could help sweeten the deal-making process. The extensive wine list should ensure a mellow mood. Lunch will set you back a very reasonable A$35.90 ($213) for two courses or A$41.90 for three courses.