Est, George St, Sydney

Est, George St, Sydney
Monday 12 November, 2007

This is a special place and I always enjoy coming to Est. With its high ceiling, commanding columns and crisp white layout it screams elegant. Tonight we were celebrating - before dinner we had been to the Whitehouse School of Design finale fashion parade and it was also a welcome home celebration.

I've never had a bad meal at Est and it doesn't get any better than kicking off the evening with a glass of Dom Perignon. The menu at Est is a little oddly set out and although I've experienced it before I still need the staff to walk me through it. So, here goes:

1. The seven course tasting menu for $140, available with matched wines $235. Whole table only.
2. The Chef's menu, $120. A five course a la carte menu designed so that one choice is made from each section, consisting of smaller sized dishes.
3. A la carte dining is also available from the Chef's menu for those that want one, two or three courses.

As we were sitting down for a later meal we launched into our orders of entrees and mains. I ordered:

- Grilled white scallops and leather jacket cheeks on jerusalem artichoke puree, shimeji and white soy
- Crisp skin twenty four hour suckling pig on kipfler potatoes, glazed shallots and carrots

The staff were courteous and knowledgeable and when our meals arrived they looked exceptional. Served on large, different sized plates my scallops were lined up and looked so plump and juicy. The suckling pig was easily the best pork I have ever tasted - it was served in a generous portion in a square with a crisp top layer that got progressively more tender underneath - just divine.

As our evening continued on the restaurant slowly emptied and by the time we had finished even the downstairs bar was thinning. Est is an experience not to be missed.

Est - L1, 252 George Street, Sydney - (02) 9240 3010

http://www.merivale.com/establishment/est