Langtons, Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Langtons, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Friday 20 January, 2006

After a long day shopping we were really looking forward to this meal. Langtons has a great look and feel - you enter down stairs from Flinders Lane into this darkish large space with a massive wall of wine bottles to the left, the kitchen bang on centre and the dining room to the right. The colours are rich dark browns and creams.

We were greeted and welcomed and shown to our table. Our waiter was excellent - just enough banter, jokes and sharing of information - anything further would have been bordering on annoying. He was full of information and even recommended a place where all the chefs and wait staff go after work (Supper Club, L1, 161 Spring St).

We ordered and then had a visit by the sommelier to discuss how we could match the wines. I ordered the Crumbed Shaw River Buffalo Mozzarella, Baby Artichokes, Broad Beans, Caramelised Shallots for entree, Rotisserie of Pomegranate Glazed Duck, Spiced Confit Leg, Roast Pear Cous Cous, Blood Orange Salad for main and Mandarin Crème Brulee and Chocolate Custard Pots, Orange Peel Eugenies for dessert. My tennis buddy ordered the Slow Roasted Free Range Pork Belly, Apple, Cotechino and Green Leaves, Mint and Balsamic Dressing for entree, Grilled Tuna with Herb Crust, Flavours of “Nicoise” Salad, Kalamata Olive and Chilli Vinaigrette for main and the Soft Pistachio Meringue, Poached Rhubarb and Blood Orange Salad, Lemon Curd for dessert.

The food was delightful and it was hard to fault anything, especially the way they handled this incident. As we were enjoying our main courses, my tennis buddy almost bit into a piece of hard plastic. When we informed the waiter of this, they apologised and explained they would tell the chef. Being an open kitchen we could see everything unfold. He spoke with the head chef and she was very concerned, speaking with the appropriate chef individually. Within minutes our waiter returned and apologised again before announcing they wouldn't be charging us for this dish.

The wine list was very impressive and I would definitely return for dinner again or to enjoy a drink in the wine bar.


Langtons - 61 Flinders Lane, Melbourne - (03) 96630222

http://www.langtonsrestaurant.com.au/