Vue De Monde for My Birthday

What a beautiful gesture. This is the best possible dining experience I have ever had. Five friends have taken me to lunch at Vue de Monde (Melbourne) to celebrate my birthday. The modern French food was sublime. The service was impeccable and yet still charming and friendly. To top it off, we were invited for the ultimate experience of sitting at the Chef's Table in a semi private alcove with an unobstructed view of the kitchen. What a delight to watch this young professional team, so busy and yet so disciplined and focused on what they were doing.

We had the 'Menu du Jour' - available only at lunch time (from Tuesday to Friday) with a selection of two courses with signature dishes (excellent value at a mere $55) including a matching glass of wine and side dishes for the table. Vue de Monde also bake their own fresh bread twice daily. We had a choice of several little rolls including rye, olive, sourdough and brown bread along with the famous Echire butter.

We all opted for the entree and the main and then as an added extra, we had coffee and petits fours instead of dessert.

MENU DU JOUR

For entrée - a choice from:

COQUILLE SAINT-JACQUES À L’OSSO BUCCO - Coffin Bay scallops ‘Osso Bucco’

RISONI AUX CHAMPIGNONS SAUVAGES - Wild pine mushroom risoni

SALADE À LA CARBONARA - Carbonara salad

BROCHETTE DE VEAU - Skewers of veal tonnato

For main course

MERLAN EN CROÛTE - King George whiting with courgette tempura and tapenade

CRABE ET POLENTA - Crab with polenta

TOURTE AU CANARD - Duck pie with épice sauce

RÔTI DE BOEUF ET ESCARGOTS - Roast wagyu beef with snails and béarnaise

For Dessert

CHEESECAKE AUX BAIES DE TASMANIE ET À LA RHUBARBE - Tassie berry and rhubarb cheesecake

SOUFFLÉ NORMAND - Apple and Calvados soufflé

FROMAGE DE CHÊVRE - ‘Pandora’s box’ with prunes and Armagnac

Fromages:

PAPILLON ROQUEFORT, Sheep's milk, Roquefort, France

IRONSTONE, Cow's milk, Gippsland, Australia

SEVRE ET BELLE CAPRIFEUILLE, Goat’s milk, Celle sur Belle, France

ISIGNY BRIE, Cow’s milk, Normandie, France

ROUZAIRE CAMEMBERT, Cow’s milk, Ile de France, France

SAINT-NECTAIRE, Cow's Milk, Auvergne, France

LIVAROT, Cow's milk, Normandy, France

QUESO TRADITIONAL MANCHEGO, Ewe’s milk, La Mancha, Spain

COMTÉ, Cow's milk, Franche-Comté, France

OSSAU IRATY, Ewe’s milk, Pyrénées, France

MUNSTER AOC, Cow’s milk, Alsace, France

These photos don't do justice to this divine food.

Coffin Bay scallops ‘Osso Bucco’

As a refresher, liquid frozen verjuice with hibiscus tea in a martini glass.

King George whiting with courgette tempura and tapenade

Crab with polenta

Duck pie with épice sauce

Roast wagyu beef with snails and béarnaise

Sides included a delightful salad and Pommes Pont Neuf

Petits-fours served with our Illy coffee

This really was a wonderful experience. Afterwards, we strolled in for a visit to Bistro Vue for a look see. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Canneles on the Bistro counter, having seen them only in books before. When I asked if they were 'in fact' Canneles, the lovely young man behind the counter gave me one to try. I was in seventh heaven. I did the right thing and shared it with my friends (talk about sharing the loaves!!!!). It was magnificent. I would love to make them, however, cannele moulds are over $100AU each.

We then went in to Cafe Vue. I spoilt myseslf by buying Shannon Bennett's books "My Vue - Modern French Cookery" and "My French Vue - Bistro Cooking at Home". All-in-all a lovely day.

I can't wait to go back again.