I normally avoid restaurants that are chains, headed by celebrity chefs, housed in casino complexes and specialise in steak.
However, my first experience at Rockpool and I’m converted. Neil Perry’s RockPool Bar & Grill in the uber-slick corporate confines of Crown Melbourne is a resounding HOT.
As you walk through the entrance corridor you’re surrounded by shelves of artisan, gourmet products and Neil Perry’s cookbooks, then a peek into the oyster shucking station and huge hams strung up in the coldroom. Around the corner and you’re faced with an open kitchen housing an efficient team of around 20 chefs, with a large TV screen to monitor their work (and presumably not for the diners’ entertainment).
The setting manages to be dark and sexy while being a huge cavernous space. Dark and sexy also means that my photos are not the greatest, so apologies in advance.
I was a little fearful of what the menu would offer besides slabs of meat, meat and more meat. I needn’t have worried. The placemat-sized menu has a long list of cold starters, hot starters, pasta/risottos, mains and steaks and in fact it was really difficult to choose what to eat.
In the end, we went for one parpardelle with rabbit braised in white wine and tomato, peas, herbs and green olives ($25), one grilled wood fire grilled pigeon with roasted red peppers, red grapes and radicchio ($49) and one 350g 36 month grass-fed 64 day dry aged rib eye on the bone with horseradish cream ($58) with a glass of 2008 Franz Haas Pinot Grigio ($17).
Our meals did take a while to arrive but fortunately we were not too hungry and expectations were expertly managed by our waiter, who was just the right balance of friendliness and professionalism.
The pasta, while being an entree size, was generously proportioned and quite a reasonable meal with some of the complimentary soft bread.
My pigeon was unbelievably melt-in-the-mouth tender and while the photo just makes everything look like red-on-red, it was a brilliant dish. Towards the end I picked it up with fingers and a wet towel appeared magically before me for my dirty hands. Now that’s service.
RM is extremely fussy with his steak and it’s rare for him to be satisfied with the way his rare steak is cooked (pun intended). Here his rib eye was perfectly seared and in fact it was such a miracle that he insisted that he take a photo to record the moment.
Our two sides of roasted pumpkin and sweet potato ($10) and a dish of cavalo nero and parmesan ($10) were both good, although personally I wouldn’t order the cavalo nero again because the vegetable is just too bitter for my liking.
So far, so brilliant. Although we were full, we powered onto dessert. After the black forest cake’s recent outing in Masterchef, we couldn’t resist ordering the black forest trifle (inspired by the Fat Duck’s BFG) ($20). What came out was a huge glass bowl of chocolate sponge, liquored cherries and silken cream. I have no idea how one person is expected to eat it and it was perfect shared between us.
All in all, a fabulous experience. RockPool Bar & Grill is not cheap but I think worth the money for the high quality, ambience and outstanding service.
- RockPool Bar & Grill, Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank +
I went not long ago and the food was incredible. If you go make sure you have the sashimi starter, it’s amazing.
The only downfall for me was the service, but am happy to hear you had a better experience.
A friend went for the Grand Prix and while enjoying the food had similarly bad service.
Maybe, just maybe I should give it another crack?
.-= MsCritique´s last blog ..Meet Angus. =-.
Hi Ms Critique
I spotted the sashimi starter on my way out, and you’re right it did look amazing. I’d never think of ordering something like that at a steak-specialist restaurant. I’m surprised to hear that you received bad service, as the impression I received was that there was great attention to detail and a very professional and slick approach to everything, from food to service. I definitely suggest you give it another go.
Jetsetting Joyce
Okay you’ve convinced me! Will definitely give it another crack. MC
.-= MsCritique´s last blog ..Meet Angus. =-.
Sigh… None of my friends want to spend the money to go there with me… I think I need new friends.
Hi Zardoz
Rockpool have a bar menu so maybe your friends would be more up for that? Otherwise organise dinner there for your birthday/special event where they have to turn up :–)
Jetsetting Joyce
Rather out of order, but I sorta joined the craze with the new spice temple. Now i shall have to go back and try rockpool =). Hopefully with equally great an experience u had.
Hi Allan
Spice Temple is on my list! What do you recommend from the menu?
Jetsetting Joyce