Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne

Reviewer - Food Critic without a face Alex Beazley

Delivering on its Concept

A Blonde, a Pilot and a Queenslander walked into a bar. The Pilot grumbled, the Blonde re-powdered, and the Queenslander looked around in awe. But this isn’t the start of a bad joke, this isn’t just any bar. Here, the smell of dry aged beef lingers, the wine pours more than it rains outside, and the dining room oozes with an impossibly relaxed yet classy atmosphere. This place could only be Neil Perry’s acclaimed Rockpool Bar and Grill Melbourne.

At a Glance

Rockpool Bar and Grill Melbourne is located in the colossal Crown Complex and is far more than an upmarket steakhouse. Rockpool Bar and Grill boasts an impressive menu which is heavily driven by quality Australian produce. The restaurant also provides its diners with possibly the most extensive wine list in the country. Even a non-wino can surely see the amount of effort that goes into a wine list like this, if not by the sheer weight of the bloody thing! The diversity of varietal, expression, region and vintage must be applauded. The staff are unobtrusively attentive and knowledgeable, I recommend conversing with them about both the menu and the wine list.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of beer and cocktails had already begun whilst we waited for our Final Guest to arrive. As we loosened up a little, the Blonde begins to make some off the cuff comments about the apparent lack of dress sense amongst some fellow dinners; indeed wearing the hotel curtains will surely be the next big thing! The influence of being located in the Crown Complex I’m sure.   Needless to say our Final Guest arrives in her finest summer wear and we are promptly seated.

The menu certainly trends toward the grill, but what consistently stood out was the produce. A crudo of kingfish and ocean trout entre was so simple, yet so delightfully fresh (insert). Likewise a main of pigeon, entwined in radicchio and cherries was also wonderful, albeit slightly lacklustre. The Blonde and the Pilot were similarly impressed with their meals from the grill. Desserts are a modern twist on more classical fare, including an amazing chocolate tart. Unfortunately our Final Guest was in dismay by this stage, remaining transfixed on the prices of the wine and food we had ordered (it was just not the same value as Nando’s apparently). By the time tea and coffee rolled around, the Blonde and the Queenslander were in hysterics (perhaps inappropriately so), the Pilot was well grounded, and our Final Guest was joined by a fellow Nando’s enthusiast - good for them.

The point is, you get from Rockpool Bar and Grill what you put in. Counting your pennies here is not advisable because it’s not cheap by any measure. This is the sort of restaurant you go to have fun at, regardless of the price. Order a bottle of wine (or two, or three) that you have never heard of before, or just give the sommelier your price range – and for heaven’s sake someone order the rib-eye wagyu ($115)!

Last Words? Rockpool Bar and Grill delivers on its concept of providing a simple, uncomplicated menu sourcing excellent produce. An exceptional wine list, great service and luxurious dining space are equally welcome attributes for this outstanding venue.

Need to Know:

Opening hours: Lunch Sunday to Friday; Dinner 7 Days

Reservations (recommended) +61 3 8648 1900

http://www.rockpool.com/melbourne/

Crown Complex Southbank VIC 3006 Australia

An Exhibition of Italy - The Dolce Italia

"Life is too short, and I'm Italian. I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size zero" 

- Sophia Bush 

I’m half Italian. Except generally, I’m only half Italian when it’s most convenient. With a last name like mine, my evident love for a Mediterranean inspired diet and my ability to temper quick – I’m all for heritage pride… when it suites me. 

You see, with a British Mother and my love of England, that is generally the English pool of genetics I pull from. To no discredit though, growing up as a ‘pog’ (mongrel mathematics pom+wog = pog) I was presented with the best of both worlds. My smorgasbord entailed Sunday roasts, fish and chips, spaghetti and salami making? I know right, don’t be jealous.

So I was sitting in the Doctors surgery, waiting to have my knee x-rayed, because I’m not a sure footed half cast. Lucky though, I didn’t require to be fitted with a half cast. You know the shows you view in waiting rooms? Those daytime shows such as ‘The young and the restless’, ‘Ready, Steady cook’ and alike. Well, whist I’m sitting there, myself young and restless - in commercial break of seeing Dr. Phil assist a man who dreams about putting asparagus in compromising places, one advert did catch my eye.

La Dolce Italia. The advert promoted an Italian festival to be held at the exhibition building showcasing the best of Italia - the food, fashions and wines. Of course, my choice genetic factor kicked in and I simply had to be there. I quickly wrote the festival name in the ‘notes’ of my iphone. I then proceeded into the sterile x-ray room, where a sleazy radiography attempted to touch higher than my knee.

I’m genuinely lucky. The beautiful PR stuff organised Braudia GM media passes and we were on our way. Attaining access however, to interview and meet the people I did, is an experience I will hold onto for a long time. 

Firstly I was privileged enough to see the Versace Winter showcase for 2013. Apparently the 80’s power suits and airliner dresses are back with a Versacesque vengeance! Just my kind of style really, how can you better the brightly coloured power suit? All you need is shoulder pads and I’m sound as a pound, baby! 

After the showcase of beautiful of Versace, Sonia Cappellazzo’s bridal pieces (which in my opinion, trump Vera Wang designs any day!), Black Orange and more, I was privileged enough to speak with Christopher Horne, the Versace Representative for Asia Pacific.

Mr. Horne is a vivid character really; he’s down to earth and will not accept the general ‘fluff’ and nonsense of the fashion industry. It is of Mr. Horne’s belief that if you are a certain size, be that size and don’t lie about it. It is put simply and in his words “Ok to be bigger, just do not lie about your size. I like to choose models that are of all different sizes and ages – because then we cater for a realistic market”. Truer words for the Fashion industry have not been voiced for a long time.

Equal to my love of fashion, it’s reinvention and creativity, is my love of art. Fortunate again to interview and meet Howtan Re – the eccentric Italian photographer, sculpture artist and creative extraordinaire. When I met him he asked if I spoke Italian. I replied I understand a little, however to his disappointment I did not. Before our interview and time together Howtan Re made me promise to learn Italian, because with a last name like mine, it was simply, not acceptable! 

Mr. Re’s excellence comes from a place I do not understand, but I admire. I’m still at a loss after spending considerable time talking to him, about how his pieces are developed and where it is the inspiration comes from to create such artistic brilliance. “Darkness and the beauty of darkness is one place,” he describes eloquently in his heavy Italian accent.

Howtan Re is an enigma, one of those fleeting creative souls that seem to ooze virtuosity and originality. Maybe one day, I will be financially secure enough, to secure one of his original photographs or figureheads for my own appreciation… but for now, he is the figurehead of my own respect and inspired awe. 

La Dolce Italia showcases the best of Italy, in Melbourne. They have the ever-popular line up of Ferrari’s and Ducati’s on display. It must be mentioned, the famous Italian pizza chef’s that were flown in for the event. Over the three days, Braudia GM’s freelance photographer Jassie Singh and I were often found, quite literally stuffing our faces with Pizza and Dessert.

Without ruining every delight that was on offer, next year – do yourself a favor and buy a ticket. Be Italian when it suits you, the same as when it suits me. Eat good food, be passionate with the things you love, be a perfectionist and you’re half way there.

Claude 

For more information on the festival and artists please visit the links below. 

All photography is credited Jassie Singh. All Rights Reserved. 

http://www.ladolceitalia.com.au/

http://www.howtanre.com/

Howtan Re and Creative Director Claudia Sorace 

Christopher Horne with Braudia' GM's Creative Director Claudia Sorace 

Versace Collection Winter 2013 

Versace Collection Winter 2013 

Sonia Cappallazzo Wedding Couture 

Sonia Cappallazzo Wedding Couture

Sonia Cappallazzo Wedding Couture

Versace Collection Winter 2013

Low fare no fair

"Cheap, but not so cheerful"

Low Fare is no Fair

It is common knowledge amongst my friends that I can be a bit conceited when it comes to air travel within Australia. I am a little ashamed to admit that the likes of Tiger and Jetstar have never really entered my repertoire. I even have my reservations about Virgin Australia…I’m sorry but just because you got rid of those heinous tan pants doesn’t make you ‘a new world carrier’.

But anyway I digress, I think the one and only time I braved the low-cost carrier was many years ago on a short Jetstar flight from Adelaide to Melbourne. Walking across the tarmac to the aircraft (which looked like something from the 70s), I found myself in a rugby scrum of arms and legs fighting to gain access to the air stairs. It was then that I became aware that there was no allocated seating on the aircraft and the hoard of animals I was entangled with were desperately trying to gain access to the aircraft to reserve seats for families and friends. Well the fight was on for young and old, and I am not ashamed to admit that there were a few stray elbows, nudging and possible biting. Unfortunately though, I did not have a battering ram (aka the unsuspecting child) to gain access and I found myself in a rather awful seat right down the back next to…you guessed it a baby! The flight itself was delayed, full of families (I don’t like children at the best of times, let along stuck in a confined space with dozens of them) and the interior of the plane looked like it should have been preserved in a museum. To top things off, the flight arrived at Avalon airport and the taxi fare to Melbourne cost more than my savings on the ticket. I vowed never to fly low cost again!

Recently, however I found myself attending a ‘guys weekend’ away in Sydney with a few mates. My friends tried to convince me that flying Tiger Airways up and Jetstar back would save money and ‘it would be good for me’. This time they didn’t except my ‘I’m busy at that time, how about I meet you there.’ story and insisted we all travel together. So despite my feeble pleas, I recovered from my horrible memory-induced fetal position and the tickets were booked.

To be honest, Melbourne to Sydney is really only a one-hour flight, and I am quite happy to use the ‘air stairs’. In fact, I quite like walking along the tarmac and looking at the various aeroplanes and airport workings. I am even happy to forego the complimentary glass of champagne (although some may disagree) and be bent like a pretzel to fit in the seat for an hour, but at risk of sounding like a snob, it’s the people that scare me off the most. I cringe to think I may have to share my breathing space with a singlet-wearing, loud outspoken boogan…or worse a child! You know the ones I mean; we’ve all seen them on Airways, raging and ranting or more recently on The Shire. How they get camera time I will never know.

So the flights you may ask? I must say the whole ordeal was rather pain free.

Tiger

With online check-in these days, there was no need to wait in line and miss the all-stressful cut-off time, which we always see on Airways. The “I’m only one minute late! I will never fly with you again!” scenario. I quite literally walked through the airport and out onto the aircraft without hardly waiting in line at all. The doors shut behind me right on schedule and I was greeted by a smiling flight attendant who offered to take my bag for me whilst I found my seat. I can’t even remember the last time a premium carrier did that for me! The flight being midweek, appeared to be virtually child-free, and I daresay I spotted a few business people on board. The aircraft also arrived ten minutes early into Sydney and before I could check my vital signs, I was on the Harbour sipping a latte.

Jetstar

Jetstar was much the same. Gone was the ancient antique of an aircraft that I previously experienced, and in its place was a shiny new A320 with a fresh, albeit cramped interior. Again the door literally shut behind me and I was greeted by another friendly flight attendant. We briefly discussed our day and I found my seat. After a somewhat big night the evening before, I slept for the duration of the flight and awoke to an arrival time 30 minutes early!

I was pleasantly surprised with the whole experience. Yes, the conditions are cramped and you don’t get your free 1000-calorie biscuit. But for the price we paid, I really can’t complain. I think the total cost was $110 return. So my recommendation? It pays to know someone in the industry! Someone who can allocate your seats, block out seats around you and can check you in! Hahaha Seriously though, if you are after a bargain without the nostalgia of air travel (think shuttle bus style) then you should definitely consider these options. For all my fashion-friends out there thinking that the Tiger airways livery will never match anything you own, I suggest stick to what you are comfortable with. Although, it’s always good to try something new. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Positively the fares are dropping, however sadly it appears my standards are also... 

B