We'd always wanted to do the Moet et Chandon champagne lunch at Number 8 on a Sunday afternoon and when our friends Kirsty and Marty said they'd join in the fun, well then we had to get a date in the diary!
It was a pretty cold afternoon so we sat indoors; would have been lovely to sit at a table in the outdoor terrace in the sunshine but sadly this was not to be.
This is a great lunch deal. The champagne is free flowing and glasses are never empty. Service was attentive throughout.
It was a pretty cold afternoon so we sat indoors; would have been lovely to sit at a table in the outdoor terrace in the sunshine but sadly this was not to be.
This is a great lunch deal. The champagne is free flowing and glasses are never empty. Service was attentive throughout.
The lunch deal is basically three courses from the a la carte menu with the exception of the dishes with truffle, the seafood dishes for two and some of the pricier steaks. Even with these exceptions, there is still plenty of choice.
Given there was Moet on offer I chose to go with the oysters which came with a yummy shallot and Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar dressing. Nothing not to like here!
Steve went with the roasted heirloom beetroot salad, Yarra Valley olives, house made ricotta,toasted hazelnuts and basil emulsion. Again nothing to go wrong with a beetroot salad really.
Given there was Moet on offer I chose to go with the oysters which came with a yummy shallot and Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar dressing. Nothing not to like here!
Steve went with the roasted heirloom beetroot salad, Yarra Valley olives, house made ricotta,toasted hazelnuts and basil emulsion. Again nothing to go wrong with a beetroot salad really.
Main courses we all ordered different things. Kirsty went with the grilled Tasmanian wallaby smoked with red gum, beetroot glaze and sautéed salsify, black garlic and thyme which she seemed to enjoy.
Steve ordered the pan fried Cone Bay barramundi with roasted shallot consommé, barley risotto, wood sorrel, and parsley which was a lighter dish but of a high quality.
My choice was the muscovy duckling with spiced quince, crispy duck skin crumble and organic Yarra Valley black berries. I think I expected a bit more duck than the 4 slices of breast on the plate. The duck skin wasn't particularly crispy and the muscovy sweet flavour didn't really come through. The dish wasn't a fail though as the duck was tender and rich and left pink which I like. The sweet touch came from the black berries.
We shared sides of potatoes and vegetables all of which were well presented and of a good standard.
Steve ordered the pan fried Cone Bay barramundi with roasted shallot consommé, barley risotto, wood sorrel, and parsley which was a lighter dish but of a high quality.
My choice was the muscovy duckling with spiced quince, crispy duck skin crumble and organic Yarra Valley black berries. I think I expected a bit more duck than the 4 slices of breast on the plate. The duck skin wasn't particularly crispy and the muscovy sweet flavour didn't really come through. The dish wasn't a fail though as the duck was tender and rich and left pink which I like. The sweet touch came from the black berries.
We shared sides of potatoes and vegetables all of which were well presented and of a good standard.
Dessert time came and our choices included the mandarin and poppy seed mille-feuille, marmalade ice cream and vanilla marshmallow, served with warm Cognac anglaise and also a crème brûlée, Victorian walnut praline, blackberry ice cream,honey wafer and lemon balm. If I remember correctly I went with a selection of ice creams which was pleasant enough.
In all honesty, all the food we had was decent but none of it was particularly memorable or stand out. Without my photographs I think I'd completely forget what I ate there.The fact I can barely remember what dessert I had is probably significant. I don't think I'd return to Number 8 for food but along with the free flowing champagne, it makes for a fun and memorable afternoon. The food played second fiddle to the bubbles in the glass.
In all honesty, all the food we had was decent but none of it was particularly memorable or stand out. Without my photographs I think I'd completely forget what I ate there.The fact I can barely remember what dessert I had is probably significant. I don't think I'd return to Number 8 for food but along with the free flowing champagne, it makes for a fun and memorable afternoon. The food played second fiddle to the bubbles in the glass.
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