Restaurant Review: Touché Hombre

Location: Cnr Tattersalls Lane & Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9663 0811
Link: touchehombre.com.au
Cuisine: Mexican, Latin American
Overall Impression: 8/10

We were privileged to dine at Touché Hombre 9 days ahead of the official launch (on the 26th of April 2012) featuring Australian street artist Beastman (who let loose on the walls of Tattersalls Lane) and seňor Casper (an actual Donkey to add to the Mexican flair).

The place was bustling with patrons. The crowd consists predominantly of young urban professionals of the trendy sort. We are told by Owner and Designer himself, Davis Acacia Sky (born Davis Yu) that all this came into fruition in a month. Apart from his talent in running restaurants (he is also the proud owner of The Millswyn in South Yarra); his eye for interior design is commendable.

The scene is clearly set – Touché Hombre is trendily and impeccably restrained “grungy“. The tables, shelving and the bar top are adorned with wood salvaged from Princess Pier. Naked bulbs hang from the ceilings and the splashes of neon at the entrance create a distinctive chaotic night time feel that compliments the Mexican street inspired menu. 

La Margarita de octubre 1941

Tostaditos - Spiced Chicken, mango jam, toasted sesame & chipotle mayo

The food itself is of a high standard. It is Mexican soul food – simple, to the point and executed well. The flavours on every dish are well balanced and full of flavour. It was clear that quality ingredients had been sourced. The menu boasts a selection of tostaditos, grilled corn, fresh ceviche and a wonderful list of delectable tacos. My favourite savoury dishes of the night were the soft shell crab taco and the fatty lamb ribs.

Ceviche· Diced fish, mussels, cilantro, chilli, red onion, tomato & guacamole with tortilla chips

Blood orange madagascar

Fatty lamb ribs - merquen, cilantro, lemon, honey

La Paloma

De Jaiba - Soft shell crab, corn cream, pea shoots, lime and mint

Breakfast Taco - omelette, salchicas, Egmont cheese, beans, avocado, salsa, fried onions with habenero cream

Michelada Bitchin’ Mexican Beer Cocktail

Del Coronel - Chargrilled Chicken, chimchurri & toasted pepitas

The drinks menu, compiled by Bar Manager, Johnnie Kai certainly shows the capabilities of Touché Hombre on the beverage front. His signature cocktail, La Margarita de Octubre 1941 is a classic margarita made with the original Damiana Mexicana. It is rough around the edges, a little left of centre and seductively strong. 

Ice Cream Sangas: Rice Pudding & Cinnamon

We indulged in the lovely ice cream sangas. The chocolate and chilli peanut cookie was divine. The spiciness of the chilli (not for the fainthearted) complemented the luxurious chocolate and indulgent cookie and ice cream. It was a match made in heaven. 

Ice Cream Sangas:  Chocolate & Chilli peanut cookie

Ice Cream Sangas: Dulce De Leche

Davis Sky’s passion and enthusiasm translates into a memorable dining experience as Touché Hombre delivers on all fronts - great food, brilliant drinks, excellent service coupled with an ambience that has a hell of a vibe.

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Touché Hombre.

Weekend in Phillip Island and Restaurant Review: Rustic Water Brewery

I used to love going to Phillip Island as a child - waiting impatiently to see the little penguins emerge from the sea and waddle across the beach to their sand dune burrows was particularly exciting. Things look so different coming back here now. The last thing I wanted to do was be a part of a dense crowd waiting to see penguins. I wanted this to be a relaxing two days. We arrived on Saturday evening and decided to go down to the pier and take in the sea breeze before dinner.

The next day, we lazed around a lot and visited a few places.

Phillip Island Chocolate Factory

Churchill Island

We ended up doing most of the cooking at our rented holiday accomodation.

Location: 1821 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes [Phillip Island]
Phone: 03 5952 1666
Link: rustywaterbrewery.com.au
Cuisine: European, Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 5/10

We passed by the Rusty Water Brewery on our way to our accomodation so we decided to pop in for lunch.

J enjoyed several beers as I volunteered to take over driving duties for the day. He was quite pleased with the beers on offer.

Rusty risotto $27.90 - our famous rusty risotto served with smoked chicken, mushrooms (oyster, swiss and portobello), prepared in our own homemade vegetable stock

Warm Thai beef salad $21.00 - tender sliced eye fillet beef, rice noodle, coriander, vietnamese mint and onion topped with nam jim dressing 

We found the food extremely pedestrian and bland in terms of flavour. The risotto was slightly soggy and the Thai beef salad lacked seasoning and flavour. The portions were also smaller than we expected. To the restaurant's credit, however, the service was of a good standard and the pub had a nice and relaxed ambience. Perhaps, this is a venue we would have enjoyed much more for a Saturday night drink rather than a Sunday lunch.

Event Review: 3rd anniversary of Heide Museum and Yering Station's partnership

J and I were delighted to attend another event hosted by Yering Station and Heide Museum - this was the third anniversary of their partnership. It was a delectable afternoon of lovely Yarrabank sparkling and delicious Café Vue sweets.

Thank you, Yering Station, Heide Museum and Café Vue for a wonderful afternoon!

Restaurant Review: Whirrakee Restaurant and Wine Bar

Location: 17 View Point, Bendigo
Phone: 03 5441 5557
Link: whirrakeerestaurant.com.au
Cuisine: French
Overall Impression: 8/10

Whirrakee Restaurant and Wine bar is certainly the best dining experience that Bendigo has to offer.

The ambience is cosy and romantic and the service is warm and friendly without being intrusive in the slightest.

amuse bouche

Our bread arrives promptly and we browse through the delicious looking menu items.

Kitchen tasting plate Featuring pate, terrine, smoked breast and rillets w/ condiments

Pan seared sea scallops Served with fennel puree, garden peas, verjuice dressing and gaufrette potatoe

Erindale farm lamb loin Served with stuffed eggplant, tomato puree, sweet basil and jus gras

Roasted duck breast Served with savoy cabbage and confit leg braise, roasted sausage and tarragon jus

Minted pea and shaved fennel risotto Served with confit leeks and a shed goats cheese

pre-dessert sorbet

Fig and Hazelnut clafoutis Served with port glaze and leatherwood honey ice cream

Expression of Valrhona chocolate Featuring Ivoire and raspberry Brulee, Pur caraibe fondant with prune and Armagnac ice cream, Guanaja and hazelnut mille feuille and Manjari parfait with crystalised orange  

Passionfruit jelly served with banana sorbet, cheesecake, mousse and mango salad

petit fours

We were amazed as each course arrived impeccably executed. It was clear that the food was skilfully prepared and the ingredients used were from quality sources. Every dish had well-balanced flavours with elements that accorded to traditional notions of flavour combinations that clearly worked. We enjoyed every course from the entrees to the mains to the desserts (and even the lovely petit fours). Whirrakee Restaurant is certainly a Bendigo gem.