Guillaume at Bennelong - Bennelong Point, NSW 09/08/10

Talk about kismet. Fate. Serendipity. The date I started my new job in Sydney was also the date that Kevin Smith played at the Opera House. 2 nights only. Sydney only. Now I LOVE Kevin Smith. I love his movies, follow his blogs and despite the giant size of the man currently would probably still marry him - if he wasn't so damn in love with his wife. Which I must say adds to the appeal. So to celebrate my new job we decided that we would make a crazy mix of an evening - the filth of a night of Q&As with Kevin Smith teamed with the fine dining experiences of a meal at Guillaume at Bennelong.
Now I will admit my initial attraction to Guillaume was the head chef/owner Guillaume Brahimi. Saucy and French - not just how I like my food :) But would you believe I cannot find a single picture of him now that does him justice. I think the accent helps and that can't be portrayed in a picture. The food I'd seen him prepare on Masterchef also drew me to it. As well as the price of their pre-theatre menu.
I literally had to run out the door right on 5pm to get there in time for our 5:30pm sitting (7pm show). But it was worth the bad impression on my first day (I got there early OK!!!) and the brisk walking in heels.
Des, Janelle and I all ordered different entrees and a none of us were disappointed.

I enjoyed: SCALLOPS gently sealed and served with Jerusalem artichoke puree, Shitake mushrooms and chicken jus

Janelle tucked into: ATLANTIC SALMON twice cold smoked in house served with creme fraiche and toasted brioche.

Des raved about: BLUE SWIMMER CRAB on a bed of avocado with cucumber, coriander and capsicum coulis


WAGYU BEEF DAUBE with carrots, leeks, fennel, speck and croutons on a bed of celeriac puree.

Janelle proclaimed this "as good as Vanuatu steak" which is apparently the best steak that anyone has ever possibly eaten.


DUCK CONFIT served with lentils, turnips, spring onion and a herb vinaigrette.

Des and I both had the duck. It was THE crispiest duck skin ever "Like Duck Crackling" So so good. I preferred the sliced breast - Des liked the duck on the bone.

Green beans with Pesto

VANILLA BEAN CREME BRULEE with banana peanuts and toffee

I think both Des and Janelle and decided on this one BEFORE looking at anything else on the menu. I had a crack at it with my spoon - that was one crunchy sugar crust on top!

CHOCOLATE AND MACADAMIA NUT PARFAIT with cherry sauce.

I clearly LOVE chocolate but I'm not normally fussed on cherries. Apart from Cherry Ripes. The tartness of the cherry sauce was a perfect accompaniment for the rich chocolate parfait. And contrary to everything you think you know about parfaits - parfaits don't always have layers. Sorry Donkey.

I would totally go back to Guillaume at Bennelong again. $78 for a 3 course meal was sensational. The food was moreish. The staff were attentive without being pestering. The only thing I can say badly about it was the butter was too hard!