There may have been crumbs on three stainless steel tabletops. the so-cool staff can seem like they are ignoring you.
But the bar lunches at Pearl (631-633 Church St, Richmond, Vic 3121 03 9421 4599) are stunners. The Vietnamese spring rolls are addictive, more refined and flavoursome that the hard-core ethnic version. And the fish head curry is both stunning to look at and eat (why didn’t I have my camera that day?).
I know, I know what you are thinking: “Yuk! A fish head”. But it’s not like that at all. Sure the head eyeballs you and you can see its batter covered tongue. What you need to do is just throw away your knife and spoon, ask for a finger bowl and attack this fish. Chunks of flesh can be torn from channels within the skull. Finally, when picked clean discard the head. Tip the saffron rice into the curry and retrieve the spoon.
Eating this head was as satisfying as dismembering a mud crab, which you can do here on the next full moon.
Drink with the Te Whare Ra 2004 gewürztraminer, which if floral yet not sweet. A perfect match for spicy food. Or the Valhrona tarot dumplings, topped with gold leaf, which I defy you to miss.
I need to stop returning to Pearl and discover new places But you can go.
Previous Pearl posts
The naked winemaker, Full moon in tiger country, bar lunch
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Pearl is one of my favourites. I love their breakfasts, but I am long overdue for a visit.
Yes, i’m long overdue that deep fried cube of bread with the egg in it.