A colleague and friend, Zoe, was coming to Sydney and we decided that the time had come. We'd throw caution, and a giant wad of cash, to the wind and tart ourselves up and go to ARIA. On a Monday night, woohoo.
I couldn't bring myself to take photographs in ARIA, it felt too much like hallowed ground. A shrine to amazingly tasty morsels made by God aka Matt Moran. But we ate, and we ate and we drank and we ate! And we giggled wildly when Kerri-Anne Kennerley came in! B grade celebrity spotters, that we are!
Entree:
Kurobuta sweet pork belly with pickled watermelon and crackling
Zoe raved about the pork belly, particularly when paired with the watermelon.
Cured goose breast with chicken liver parfait, poached rhubarb, black pepper and ginger bread
My first taste of goose and it was fantastic. The chicken liver parfait was soft and sweet and the ginger bread was superb.
Mains:
roasted fillet and short rib of beef with celeriac puree, roasted onions and Bordelaise sauce
Pork, pork and more pork
Again I really need to write down the specials when I order them! I solemnly swear to do this from now on! Conversation kind of halted at this stage of the evening because we were so engrossed in what we were eating. My god the food was fabulous!
Sides:
Truffled potato mash
Matt Moran makes marvelous mash! There's a bit of alliteration to describe phenomenal mashed potato. I might have to go back just for another bowl of mash. That may be all I can afford!
Desserts:
Calvados ice cream with caramelised apple, almond crumble and apple sorbet
rich chocolate délice with chocolate sorbet
I think we both know we should have stopped short of dessert. But, how could we deny ourselves the amazing desserts. My apple dessert was the perfect warming dessert you could ever want, with apple sorbet just making it feel a little more summery.
I had to also taste the chocolate delice, which Zoe ordered but was far too full to finish. It was, for want of a better term, orgasmic. You could die happy after this dessert.
Then of course - petit fours! Just when you think you can fit in no more, you just HAVE to!
Kurobuta sweet pork belly with pickled watermelon and crackling
Zoe raved about the pork belly, particularly when paired with the watermelon.
Cured goose breast with chicken liver parfait, poached rhubarb, black pepper and ginger bread
My first taste of goose and it was fantastic. The chicken liver parfait was soft and sweet and the ginger bread was superb.
Mains:
roasted fillet and short rib of beef with celeriac puree, roasted onions and Bordelaise sauce
Pork, pork and more pork
Again I really need to write down the specials when I order them! I solemnly swear to do this from now on! Conversation kind of halted at this stage of the evening because we were so engrossed in what we were eating. My god the food was fabulous!
Sides:
Truffled potato mash
Matt Moran makes marvelous mash! There's a bit of alliteration to describe phenomenal mashed potato. I might have to go back just for another bowl of mash. That may be all I can afford!
Desserts:
Calvados ice cream with caramelised apple, almond crumble and apple sorbet
rich chocolate délice with chocolate sorbet
I think we both know we should have stopped short of dessert. But, how could we deny ourselves the amazing desserts. My apple dessert was the perfect warming dessert you could ever want, with apple sorbet just making it feel a little more summery.
I had to also taste the chocolate delice, which Zoe ordered but was far too full to finish. It was, for want of a better term, orgasmic. You could die happy after this dessert.
Then of course - petit fours! Just when you think you can fit in no more, you just HAVE to!
I would recommend ARIA to anyone who wants a fantastic meal and is happy to pay the $$ for it. We decided against the tasting menu, but I know for sure next time I go back I will do it for sure. After not eating for a day or two, and saving up!
My main complaint about Sydney restaurants thus far has been service. ARIA's service was excellent. Our waiters were friendly, attentive and helpful. With just the right mix of cheekiness too. The Wine Ninja waiter who was always right there to fill my glass when I finished was a favourite, as was the French waiter (who didn't look old enough to be allowed to fill our wine glasses) and his adorable pronunciation of carrots!!
So who wants to go to ARIA?
My main complaint about Sydney restaurants thus far has been service. ARIA's service was excellent. Our waiters were friendly, attentive and helpful. With just the right mix of cheekiness too. The Wine Ninja waiter who was always right there to fill my glass when I finished was a favourite, as was the French waiter (who didn't look old enough to be allowed to fill our wine glasses) and his adorable pronunciation of carrots!!
So who wants to go to ARIA?
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