Vue de Monde, Little Collins St, Melbourne

Vue de Monde, Little Collins St, Melbourne
Friday 18 January, 2008

This is without a doubt the best dining experience in Australia.

It's been almost 18 months since my last visit and I was so excited to return to Vue de Monde. My dinner buddy had been to Vue de Monde within the past 6 months so had shared many stories about the menu additions.

On arrival we were greeted like old friends by name. This was impressive. I had requested Table 2 - directly in front of the kitchen so we could watch the food preparation and this was granted. The Maitre'd came over and welcomed us and then shared the menu we had induldged in last time we had visited. He then asked if we were keen to do this again or tailor another menu.

For those of you who have never read my reviews of Vue De Monde before or have never heard of Vue de Monde - it is important to understand that its philosophy is to provide a dining experience that cannot be created at home, encompassing this through food, service and ambiance.

The food is unlike anything you will have experienced and without hesitation we decided to go with their Menu Gourmand and matched wines. Here's a complete list of the experience that the restaurant kindly emailed me to me a few days later.

AMUSE BOUCHE
Chicken san choi Bow with mock turtle consommé and ‘spherification’ of Madeira
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CRABE FARÇI
Soft shell crab stuffed with sautéed blue swimmer crab accompanied by a Mojo sauce, Sterling Caviar and horseradish
NV Ginrei Tateyama Amaharashi Sake Junmai Daiginjõ-shu Rice wine Toyama, Japan
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RISOTTO AUX TRUFFES
Classically inspired truffle risotto
Henrique & Henrique Boal 10 years old Madeira, Portugal
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BOUILLABAISSE ‘EN CINQ MINUTES’ ET TARTARE D’ECREVISSE
5 minute bouillabaisse with tartare of crayfish, buffalo milk skin, finished with aromatic herbs
and a touch of theatre
2003 Château Belá Riesling Sturovo region, Slovakia
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PARFAIT DE FOIE GRAS
Parfait of foie gras ‘powdered’, nasturcium leaves, crispy rice and coconut egg nog
1988 Marc Brédif Vouvray Grande Année Chenin Blanc Loire Valley, France
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‘KINGFISH’ POËLE
Kingfish fingers crusted with potato scales and served with broccoli couscous and a broccoli cannelloni,
currant purée and a curried brown chicken
2003 Charles Hours Jurancon Sec Cuvée Marie South West France
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CONSOMMÉ FROID À LA TOMATE
Delicate tomato consommé with gazpacho jelly
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TATAKI DE bœuf WAGYU
Tataki of Wagyu beef with soja yuzu noodle and sweet corn purée
2004 Curlewis Pinot Noir Reserve Geelong, Victoria
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MILLE FEUILLE DE CHEVREUIL
Venison loin, poached, with a mille feuille of braised leg meat and saffron mousseline topped with a petal salad
2003 Rivera Castel del Monte DOC Riserva Il Falcone Puglia, Italy
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FROMAGE
Salad of Roquefort ravioli with hazelnut dressing
NV Chambers Tokay Rutherglen, Victoria
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SUCETTE
Rolly Polly
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PÊche Melba
Peach Melba ‘inspired by the original’, with a little touch of theatre
2006 Michel Torino Torrontes Late Harvest Don David Salta, Argentina
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Cigare au chocolat
Valrhona chocolate roll filled with smoked chocolate and rolled in puff pastry ‘cigar’ leaves
1999 Yarrabank Late Disgorged Yarra Valley, Victoria
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NOTRE SÉLECTION DE CAFÉS, THÉS, INFUSIONS ET PETITS-FOURS
A selection of coffee, teas, infusions and miniature teacakes

We had such a great vantage point to view the effortless chefs creating each masterpiece and delight in wondering which dish would make its way to our table. The anticipation...

Words cannot adequately describe how good this restaurant is. I am in awe of the food preparation and the skillful service. It is well beyond your wildest expectations.

A new offering is the wonderful chocolate box presented to each guest on departure. The chocolates are all exquisitely hand made. Bookings for Vue de Monde are required well in advance - the average is 4 months - and you will not be disappointed.

In case you hadn't guessed already....I love the place.

Vue de Monde - 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne - (03) 9691 3888

http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/default.aspx