First impressions were that apart from a new display thing that looks like honeycomb tessellation at the bar and the octagonal shaped bar tables that fit together again reminiscent of honeycomb, none of the decor has actually changed from Maze days. The spiky lights are the same as is the metalwork on the back wall. I think it would have been nice for it to have cut all ties from Maze and for Mr Hive to gain its own identity but I guess financials may have curtailed that prospect.
Anyway more importantly how was the food and service? Service was friendly and I did fear we'd be the only ones there but it was nice to see one large table of diners and the odd couple spread out.
Our waiter was friendly and personable and he explained the menu well. We sat next to a window so natural light was good and better than our dim and dark experience at Maze.
- Crispy little pig
- Black and blue tuna with aged soy
Black and blue tuna was also good with very caramelised tuna on one side and rare on the other with a dark soy sauce. The salty soy and the lean almost metallic flavour of the tuna married well.
Good start Mr Hive. We're beginning to like you.
- Roasted snapper, smoked egg and summer greens
- Saltbush lamb belly, peas and mint
- Crispy chips
The lamb was a heavier plate of food and tasted good but probably less special than the fish. It was effectively braised lamb done well. The lamb was cooked so it was tender but not so much that it becomes dry or mushy. The peas kept it light and the chips helped mop up the tasty jus.
Mr Hive you're flying the flag well.
Steve thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Hive’s chocolate bar, peanuts and caramel. It reminded me of a similar dessert I had at one of Alain Ducasse's restaurants in Las Vegas but lighter and the salted caramel ice cream was pretty unforgettable and lifted this chocolate dish from being a crowd pleaser to being pretty extraordinary.
The summer berry Eton mess I ordered was a light way (aside from double cream and lots of sugar) to end the meal. It felt light although no doubt decadent calorie wise. I enjoyed the fruit cream and the sweet meringue and the berries. I probably would have enjoyed it more if the meringue had a bit of chew to it.
Mr HIve for us beats Maze hands down. And we enjoyed his company so much we booked it again to take my family there who will be visiting so I hope Mr Hive does it again!