The judge who looks like Splinter on My Restaurant Rules

Remove this Banner Ad

B

Bobby Giovanni

Premiership Player
Veteran
Jan 30, 2004
3,070
203
Bomber’s place
AFL Club
Geelong
Don't know his name, don't care to, but here's some advice:

- You work for the New Idea. Your readership is still getting their heads around pesto, so don't act like you're Neil Perry. You are rubbish.
- It's not your money you are handing away. You are not personally bankrolling the show. You are just a cheap lackey who got the gig because New Idea sponsor the show and they wanted a tie in with your rubbish recipes.
- Whilst you may think you are being scathing and witty, you are being as lame as a female comedian.
- Once again, you work for New Idea. The 16yo who cooks my cheeseburger at McDonalds has as much culinary flair. Go get a real job.
- Stop being such a ponce for the sake of being a ponce. Just shut up, nobody cares.
 
Bobby Giovanni said:
- You work for the New Idea. Your readership is still getting their heads around pesto, so don't act like you're Neil Perry. You are rubbish.
-
Click to expand...

Not only that, his profile says that he was the food editor for Surprise Chef.

Booby Giovanni said:
Stop being such a ponce for the sake of being a ponce. Just shut up, nobody cares
Click to expand...

His comments say far more about him than the contestants, but yeah, it'd be nice if he just shut the f up.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Shinners, you sound like a foodie. May I suggest you check out Greg Feck's work down at the Clyde in Williamstown. I know his stuff from The Bach in Taupo, NZ and it's brilliant. (www.thebach.co.nz - he used to own it) He worked under Ben O'Donoghue and Jamie Oliver for quite some time.

Where else do you go? Becco? The Bot? Kamel? Any suggestions?
 
Cheers for the tip - I'll check out the Clyde if I ever make my way down to Willliamstown. What sort of food do they do?

As for suggestions, it depends on how much you want to spend and what you want to eat. The best restaurant I've been to in the last year or so was Vue de Monde in Carlton, but it is expensive and I know people who haven't liked it. I reckon France Soir is excellent, Bottega is disgracefully underrated, Moreton's Brasserie is good value, and Abla's is exceptionally good value ($40 for about a dozen courses of homestyle Lebanese cooking - bloody brilliant).

Oh, if you don't already have it, go and buy Anthony Bourdain's "Les Halles Cookbook". Even if you don't ever cook from it (and it would be criminal if you didn't), you'll enjoy his writing.
 
Shinboners said:
As for suggestions, it depends on how much you want to spend and what you want to eat. The best restaurant I've been to in the last year or so was Vue de Monde in Carlton, but it is expensive and I know people who haven't liked it.
Click to expand...

Shinners, Vue de Monde is by far the best French I've had, Shannon Bennett is superb, and is probably my favourite restaurant. Having recently dined at Ezards, I cannot see how Vue does not rate as a three hat restaurant. Although Ezards combines many Asian spices very well, and the food is cooked magnificently, Vue de Monde is easily of similar standard to Ezards.

Bobby, thanks for the tip on Clyde, will give it a go. Becco is one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne, with the only downfall I can find being the tight spaces between tables. I love it as much as Grossi Florentino and Langtons, both in CBD.

For a great VALUE meal, try La Luna in Rathdowne St. Carlton. The food is cooked fantastically, have a good range on their menu, and the bonus of being BYO means you can take a good bottle of wine or two without being charged new car prices for it. The menu is also sufficiently cheaper than those mentioned so far. The dessert platter is sensational.

Have either of you two been to Stefano's in Mildura? Rated as Vic's best restaurant last year. I've heard nothing but rave reviews. Any other places I should go?
 
Harvey Leadpipe said:
Shinners, Vue de Monde is by far the best French I've had, Shannon Bennett is superb, and is probably my favourite restaurant. Having recently dined at Ezards, I cannot see how Vue does not rate as a three hat restaurant. Although Ezards combines many Asian spices very well, and the food is cooked magnificently, Vue de Monde is easily of similar standard to Ezards.
Click to expand...

I really don't know what subtlties turn a 2 hat restaurant into a 3 hat restaurant. But I reckon that Bennett is on the verge of doing something truly great - he's only 32? 33? I don't think chefs reach greatness until their late 30s/early 40s.

And I agree that Ezards is brilliant. You should try Pearl - not as much trickery as Ezards, but the quality of the produce they use ensures that you get some amazing food.


Harvey Leadpipe said:
For a great VALUE meal, try La Luna in Rathdowne St. Carlton. The food is cooked fantastically, have a good range on their menu, and the bonus of being BYO means you can take a good bottle of wine or two without being charged new car prices for it. The menu is also sufficiently cheaper than those mentioned so far. The dessert platter is sensational.
Click to expand...

Yeah, agreed.

One thing that annoys me about some restaurants is that you pay your hard earned money for a big plate with barely anything on it. No problems like that at La Luna.

Unless you have a really big appetite, two courses will satisfy most people.

Speaking of value though, one great cheap eat is Pacific House Seafood on Victoria Street in Richmond. Excellent roasts, superb seafood, and some great traditional Chinese dishes. Unfortunately, expect to queue for a table after 7pm.

Harvey Leadpipe said:
Have either of you two been to Stefano's in Mildura? Rated as Vic's best restaurant last year. I've heard nothing but rave reviews. Any other places I should go?
Click to expand...

I haven't been there. I'm keen on trying out Lake House up in Daylesford though.

Has anyone gone to Reserve or Fenix? I'm intrigued by this molecular gastronomy stuff that seems to be the cool thing to eat.
 
Been to Reserve, not Fenix. The combinations weren't as bizarre as I was expecting the molecular gastronomy experience to be, but still quite obscure (eg, oyster served in champagne foam). Quite expensive but extremely good. Quite similar to Ezards. Apparently it is closing down in the very near future (this Saturday I've heard), being bought out and re-opened as something else.
 
Lake House in Daylesford is magnificent, well worth the drive.

Greg Feck at the Clyde specialises in Tuscan cuisine. Carpaccio's, Risotto Arancine's, Game meats (spatchcock, buffalo etc), Home made pastas and seafood as good as I've ever had.

His reduction that goes on the eye fillet wrapped in prosciutto, served on maori potatoes, whole roasted baby carrots and creamed corn, takes 3 days and is the stickiest, richest Sauce I have ever had the pleasure of eating.
 
Have to agree with the comments re La Luna - great value.
Love Abla's - great food, good service and it won't cost you a mint.

I really rate Donovan's although dinner for two will set you back about $200. Quality food cooked expertly, great wine list, service is second to none and of course there's the location.

Even though its a pub, I highly recommend the Robert Burns Hotel in Collingwood. Probably the best pub food in Melbourne.

Funnily enough couldn't get enthused about Becco. Maybe they just had a bad night the time I was there !
Expected a lot more for what I paid.
 
Daytripper said:
Even though its a pub, I highly recommend the Robert Burns Hotel in Collingwood. Probably the best pub food in Melbourne.
Click to expand...

There are many pubs that do great meals in Melbourne.

Daytripper said:
Funnily enough couldn't get enthused about Becco. Maybe they just had a bad night the time I was there !
Expected a lot more for what I paid.
Click to expand...

I've been to Becco twice and whilst the food was very good, the service has been less than impressive. Bad service can take the shine off the experience of eating great food.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Bobby Giovanni said:
Lake House in Daylesford is magnificent, well worth the drive.

Greg Feck at the Clyde specialises in Tuscan cuisine. Carpaccio's, Risotto Arancine's, Game meats (spatchcock, buffalo etc), Home made pastas and seafood as good as I've ever had.

His reduction that goes on the eye fillet wrapped in prosciutto, served on maori potatoes, whole roasted baby carrots and creamed corn, takes 3 days and is the stickiest, richest Sauce I have ever had the pleasure of eating.
Click to expand...

You've sold me.
 
Bobby Giovanni said:
Shinners, you sound like a foodie. May I suggest you check out Greg Feck's work down at the Clyde in Williamstown. I know his stuff from The Bach in Taupo, NZ and it's brilliant.
Click to expand...

Your boy has just moved over to the Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder.

http://theage.com.au/articles/2005/02/28/1109546779253.html?oneclick=true

Stephanie Alexander and her family are severing financial ties with Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder, although Alexander remains a "mentor" to the business. After five years as business manager, Louisa Lucchesi has bought the restaurant and cheese room with contracts to be signed next week. "I completely understand Stephanie's food philosophy and we're at one on that," Lucchesi says. "I've been here five years ... This seemed like a very sensible succession and it will be a seamless one." Lucchesi has, however, wasted no time appointing new head chef Greg Feck, late of Williamstown's Clyde. "A wonderful bit of succession planning," is how Alexander described her bowing out of the business she started with cheese distributor Will Studd nine years ago. "I get to keep on doing the fun bits (the food) and lose the hard bits (the management). It will also give me a little more time to expand what I am doing for the next generation in one way and another."
 
Shinboners said:
Cheers for the tip - I'll check out the Clyde if I ever make my way down to Willliamstown. What sort of food do they do?

As for suggestions, it depends on how much you want to spend and what you want to eat. The best restaurant I've been to in the last year or so was Vue de Monde in Carlton, but it is expensive and I know people who haven't liked it. I reckon France Soir is excellent, Bottega is disgracefully underrated, Moreton's Brasserie is good value, and Abla's is exceptionally good value ($40 for about a dozen courses of homestyle Lebanese cooking - bloody brilliant).

Oh, if you don't already have it, go and buy Anthony Bourdain's "Les Halles Cookbook". Even if you don't ever cook from it (and it would be criminal if you didn't), you'll enjoy his writing.
Click to expand...

A recommendation for you from a former Melburnian. Bistro Thierry in Toorak. The guy who runs it, Thierry Cornevin, gave up a high profile business career (in pharmaceutical industry I think) to pursue his passion for food and it shows. The best duck i've ever had and the rest of the menu is worth perusing. Brunch on weekends is the specialty, but be prepared to battle the hordes of Toorak tractors and freshly blonded mops for a table. The menu is posted at www.bistrothierry.com.au. Check it out.
 
afc9798 said:
A recommendation for you from a former Melburnian. Bistro Thierry in Toorak. The guy who runs it, Thierry Cornevin, gave up a high profile business career (in pharmaceutical industry I think) to pursue his passion for food and it shows. The best duck i've ever had and the rest of the menu is worth perusing.
Click to expand...

Cheers for that. I've heard plenty of good reports on Bistro Thierry, but I'm going to wait until winter sets in and hope that they have cassoulet on the menu.

In the meantime, I've had an insanely good week of eating out. Last week, I went to Taxi, and on the weekend, I went up to Sydney and ate at Bills2, Rockpool, and Tetsuya's. It was my final indulgence before I head off into the world of mortgage repayments.
 
The menus are posted below. I am very reluctant to rate Tetsuya's against Rockpool. They are different experiences and both are worthy of your hard earned cash. However, I will say that if you haven't been to either and you only have the chance to go to one, I'd probably suggest Tetsuya's. But having said that, Rockpool is probably better for return visits as you'd probably want to try different things on the menu. My only bugbears about Rockpool was that the entrees and mains came out too quickly. Whilst I understand that they're trying to get two sittings on a Saturday night, I'd rather have a few extra minutes of anticipation about the food that's about to come, and a few extra minutes after the course has finished to savour it. Oh, the staff uniforms also suck and whoever designed the restaurant appears to have been a fan of Miami Vice. But with the food on offer, I'm willing to overlook these things. Service at both restaurants was top notch.

Taxi was excellent. There were a few very minor faults with the food (slighly oily aftertaste on an otherwise superb entree, the lack of a crispy skin on the main), but hey, I didn't pay on the night. And anyway, even if I did pay, I'd still recommend the place. Breakfast at Bills2 is as good as the hype suggests. And the food looks just like the photographs in Granger's cookbooks. Okay, it's pricier than a Melbourne breakfast, but the servings meant we could skip lunch, and on a holiday, you're not going to mind paying a bit extra. Incidentally, Billy Kwong is a few doors down from Bills2 and it's a bloody tiny place. After reading the menu, it looks a bit overpriced. A couple of blocks away is Neil Perry's other baby, XO, and the prices there look like a steal. I saw a slightly modified version of the main I had at Rockpool, and it was about $20 cheaper at XO. It's a damn shame that I didn't have an extra night in Sydney or I would have given the place a try.

Taxi:

Amuse-bouche:

A shot of cauliflower soup with a drop of extra virgin olive oil.

Entrée:

A pigs head was simmered overnight in masterstock, the cheeks removed and shredded, then covered in Japanese breadcrumbs, and then deep fried. It was served with a shredded green salad, a couple of lightly steamed prawns, and coriander pesto.

Main:

Crispy fried Szechuan duck with miauna, tamarind, and fresh pink grapefruit

Dessert:

Grand Marnier soufflé with chocolate sorbet and orange caramel sauce

Rockpool:

Amuse-Bouche:

Goats cheese ravioli

Entree:

Me: Lobster, fig, and pork salad
Finacee: Scallops with corn crepe, and lemongrass and mussel butter

Main:

Me: Tea smoked duck with leek and gai choi turnover, and a star anise and ginger caramel sauce
Fiancee: Stew of scampi, kingfish, whiting, scallop, squid, and prawn with mussel and saffron sauce

Dessert:

Me: Muscat custard with diced peaches
Fiancee: Chocolate four ways with gold leaf

Raspberry and marscapone cake

Bills2:

Saturday:

Me: Ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter
Fiancee: Corn fritters with bacon

Sunday:

Scrambled eggs on toast with bacon and spinach wilted in olive oil, sea salt, and lemon juice

Tetsuya’s:

Degustation menu:

Snow egg sandwich with caviar

Me: Tasmanian Pacific oysters with ginger and rice vinegar

Me: Tartare of tuna on sushi rice with avocado
My fiancée: Roasted peppers on sushi rice with avocado

Me: Tuna marinated in soy and mirin
Trevally with preserved lemon
Cold corn soup with basil ice cream
My fiancée: Char grilled tuna with tomato and olive
Soy glazed chicken wing with wakame
Cold corn soup with basil ice-cream

Me: Confit of petuna Tasmanian ocean trout with konbu, daikon, and fennel
My fiancée: Grilled barramundi with dwarf truffled peaches and bitter greens

Seasonal green salad

Ravioli of lobster and crab with shellfish essence

Twice cooked de-boned spatchcock with braised daikon and bread sauce

Grilled wagyu beef with Asian mushroom and lime jus

Musk melon

Orange and honey sorbet with black pepper
Strawberry shortcake

Blue cheese ice-cream with pear and sauterne jelly

Floating island with praline and vanilla bean anglaise

Caramelized hazelnuts, rolled into a ball, and dusted with coconut
 
Shinboners said:
Entrée:

A pigs head was simmered overnight in masterstock, the cheeks removed and shredded, then covered in Japanese breadcrumbs, and then deep fried. It was served with a shredded green salad, a couple of lightly steamed prawns, and coriander pesto.

[/i]
Click to expand...



This pigs head, was it a baby pig?
 
Shinboners said:
Cheers for that. I've heard plenty of good reports on Bistro Thierry, but I'm going to wait until winter sets in and hope that they have cassoulet on the menu.

In the meantime, I've had an insanely good week of eating out. Last week, I went to Taxi, and on the weekend, I went up to Sydney and ate at Bills2, Rockpool, and Tetsuya's. It was my final indulgence before I head off into the world of mortgage repayments.
Click to expand...

Well done Sir!!
I've dined at the Rockpool before and it was magnificent. 4 of us walked out after a $900 bill, which fortunately went on the company account. I also must admit that a fair portion went on alcohol, but well worth the after-questioning from the company accountant when I submitted my expenses!!
 
Harvey Leadpipe said:
Having recently dined at Ezards, I cannot see how Vue does not rate as a three hat restaurant. Although Ezards combines many Asian spices very well, and the food is cooked magnificently, Vue de Monde is easily of similar standard to Ezards.
Click to expand...

I went to Ezards last night. The last time I was there was a year and a half ago. The food was very good, but I think it has slipped a bit. My entree (a hiramasa kingfish tataki) had a sauce that was too tart whilst my main (the legendary pork hock) had a sauce that was too sweet. It just seemed that the sauces weren't balanced properly. I know Teague Ezard has been spending time overseas on his new projects, but he really needs to spend more time here in Melbourne ironing out these little problems.
 
Noticed this morning that the British magazine "Restaurant" has compiled a list of the best restaurants in the world. Tetsuya's comes in at number 4 Shinners, so will be booking myself in on the next business trip next month. The menu sounds sensational. Noticed that the Fat Duck which come in at number 1 dishes up that molecular gastronomy fare. Any other news on this type of cooking arond Melbourne?

Dined at Circa two weeks ago, where I thought the slow-cooked duck would be hard to top, only to be stunned when the white peach with champagne ice-cream and almond sponge was served for dessert. Recommended, but as I had to fork out for this one myself, it would want to be good.

Bobby G, having spent too much time on the golf course, at the footy and the races of late, I've had to devote some time to take the lovely on to Daylesford for a weekend. You recommend the Lake House, what should I go for?

Additionally, I've heard a rumour that one of Melbourne's old stalwarts, Vlado's, may be closing it's doors for good. Anyone confirm this?
 

The judge who looks like Splinter on My Restaurant Rules


Write your reply...

Similar threads

PowerfulPies2023
The Evolution of you
Replies
1
Views
474
PowerfulPies2023
PowerfulPies2023
Frederico_WA
Food, Drink & Dining Out The BigFooty Jerky Exchange
Replies
5
Views
787
Tandy
Tandy
Back
Top