If you haven’t been yet try it out. We were invited by friends to the Hi-Life Dining club get together celebrating COCO winning their Restaurant of the Year award. Due to circumstances beyond my control this is the first chance I have had to update my site.
When we arrived there was a very accomplished all girl swing/jazz band performing in the foyer. A chat with their manager somewhat later in the evening identified them as the Swing Girls.
This intro was accompanied by a remarkably good Prosecco Frizzante (last time I had one this smooth was in Treviso) and canapés.
Our companions for the evening were the Grahams’, the Johnstons’, both of whom we have dined with before, and William Wallace and his wife Claire. Two famous names on one table!
The first course was Hand Dived Scallops, seared, with Jerusalem artichokes, gnocchi and a lobster gratin and accompanied by a South Australian white wine.
To clear the palate a grapefruit and Campari sorbet followed. This is not for the faint-hearted. I am a Campari fan and found the combination, how shall I put it, interesting. If one is not a Campari fan I can understand the comment “breath taking”!
The main course was a Chateau de Blomac Minervois 2008 – Oops! Sorry! that was just the wine that went with the roast sirloin, potato rosti truffle Madeira etc. By this time the conversation and craic had become as important as the meal and the impeccable service, overseen by Tom, the Aussie manager, assured that a memorable evening was under way.
I’ll not repeat the error of the previous paragraph, the sweet was an Apple Tatin, I’ve added a link to save explanation, with vanilla ice cream and; yes, you’ve guessed, a superb Sauternes.
The coffee was a real godsend and we did manage the petit fours, though in truth we did not really need them!
All in all an evening memorable for the food, wine and excellent company, not necessarily in that order.
An experience we hope to repeat in the not too distant future.