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I’m busy so I’m keeping this short and sweet. Attica (74 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea +61 9530 0111) is an absolute stunner. When I compare what I ate there on the Tuesday Chef’s Table night to all the meals I’ve eaten this year it is right up there with the best and I should image up for an upgrading in the upcoming Good Food Guide.
What they serve on Tuesday is an ever changing degustation. The chef’s table five courses for $60 and each one a hit, which is a change from some degustation menus were there are often a few misses. The idea of chef Ben Shewry, who worked at Circa The Prince and is influenced by the Middle East and Thai guru David Thompson, is to offer seasonal produce and innovative combinations.
Creamed salt cod on grilled potato flat bread.
Shellfish broth with crystal bay prawns and shaved squid
Globe artichokes braised in oloroso sherry with mint, dill and crispy pastry
Poached blue eye cod, smoked tomato, kinkwooka mussels, riviera olives
Goats curd and hazlenut cheesecake, green apple sorbet, candied rosemary
Popularity: 13% [?]
August 14th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Hi Ed,
I went two weeks ago for the Tuesday Chef’s Table and had five entirely different courses to what you were served. I agree, it was fantastic - really creative food and an absolute bargain. It’s good to see he’s changing it significantly from week to week.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it too.
Blair
August 14th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
My, oh, my. I think I’m going to have to make (yet another) booking.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Blair, glad to see it’s changing too. i want to go back soon next free Tuesday.
Matthew look forward to reading it and seeing what else is on offer.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Well you were onto something here Ed as Attica picked up the Best New Talent award at last nights Gourmet Traveller awards. Now I bet you won’t be able to book a seat!
August 16th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I love, love, love Attica. Have been a loyal fan since Ben started making his magic there a couple of years ago and was relieved to see that after the initial excitement, it fell off the radar and getting in didn’t require excessive forward planning. Guess that’s over now thanks to Gourmet Traveller…..but hang on, ‘Best NEW Talent’….surely not?
August 17th, 2007 at 1:49 am
I agree!!! Tuesdays are hard to beat at Attica. I was so impressed that I am working on changing my work roster to have Tuesdays free to have more dinners at Attica. Ben deserves his accolade and then some!!!
August 17th, 2007 at 2:15 am
Goldie it was a stunning meal and I can’t believe I called his talent. Let’s hope the location keeps it accessible.
Stickfingers, Yeah he’s been a round for bit but isn’t the awrd just a promotion to the ‘A’ list? Shame that we may have to books ages in advance now though.
Macca, you’re right. Justly desereved.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:41 am
If Nobu was premature evaluation, this one is, er, reviewitus reservatus! Took your time catching up with this one, didn’tcha? Too busy knobbing! (I mean hob nobbing, don’t I?)
I first went late last year, a few weeks after Simon Plant gave the place a big rave in the Hun. (Downes was taking some “down time” I think.) Went the degust option with my vegetarian GF.
Some really daring choices are made in that kitchen. They routinely set my palate buzzing. (And tongue wagging!) It’s very reliable. Great value too, I think. (For now!)
August 20th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Chris,
I know it has taken me a long time to get here. I first heard about it last year and several people at the Hun have been raving about it to me for yonks. But it just takes time to get everywhere especially when reviewing and I’m forced to eat at certain places. I think it’s time to book before The Age Good Food Guide Awards and shall to revisit.
Is my evaluation of Nob premature? I know from webstats that people are desperate to know what a placeis like as soon as it is open so an early review making a few allowances is fine, retunring for a harder-mosed look a couple of months later.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Tone’s a hard thing to get right, especially for a first time commenter. But I meant to sound teasing and playful rather than snotty and condescending. My apologies! Of course we want to know everything, sooner the better, and we’re grateful to folks like you who get in there, who have good taste and can f^&*ing write!! BTW, I’ve been droooooling over the Attica pics
August 21st, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Chris relax - maybe my tone is too aggressive. And I’m kicking myslef that I didn’t get in earlier.
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Sorry guys, and dolls, I can’t quite agree with you about Attica. I was there a few years ago and went again last night ($80 now for the degustation) My meal was totally different from the one you had. The dishes were very complicated but lacked something as I say in my review (see http://www.1001dinners.blogspot.com) it failed to titivate the taste buds
August 24th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Elliott, that’s interesting to know and adds to the wisdom of crowds. My neighbours are going tonight. i’ll quiz them over the weekend and see how it was.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Look forward to your neighbours opinion. Has the price of their degustation menu gone up from $60 to $80 in the last few weeks?