Dinner At Megalomania

Megalomania bar & bistro has been open since the 18^th of August and has already made its mark in Yeppoon as the place to go for lunch, dinner, afternoon dessert and coffee or a drink at the bar. After catching up with Kenny today, he said is very pleased with the way things have started. I mentioned that I have heard only very good comments from the public.

So onto my report of our evening at Megalomania. The place is divided into three parts, the bar, the courtyard (under cover) and the deck (open air) which has wooden flooring and a water feature. Up/down lighting accent the walls and changing colour lights in the famous fig tree add to the atmosphere. While we waited for our friends to arrive we had a few drinks. Very nice tall beer glasses and angled mixer glasses as well as the drinks in them.

We then received the menu’s. Once again nice presentation in a compact folder with a clear front and easy to handle (not too big). The general opinion was that the writing maybe a little small as it was quite hard to read in the light. Although it would be hard to enlarge the font as the choice of Tapas and light meals are huge, and probably wouldn’t fit all on. We all ordered tapas @ $12.50 or a light meal (entree) followed by mains. I chose a bottle of wine from the extensive list with great variety, not just your standard wine either.

The drinks service was very good and Melissa was on the ball. I tried the wine and she poured the ladies first, great, we let the wine breath before our meals arrived. We waited a little for our entrees which came to the table without the service knowing who had what, which was a little surprising; this was the same for the main meals, that said, all six dishes arrived together in one trip from the kitchen, which is rare these days, excellent, The selection we chose was; sushi combination, traditional accompaniments. Peking duck pancakes, spring onion, cucumber, hoi sin. Seared Yeppoon scallops, chickpeas, caper raisin dressing. Crisp calamari, rosemary sea salt, cracked black pepper, curry aioli.

And roast mushroom tart, seared veal liver, roast garlic, truffle emulsion @ $15- Mine was the latter. I was a little disappointed with my light meal, the roast garlic was beautiful just delicate and creamy, but the pastry was very well cooked, the liver was just warm and the truffle emulsion was hard to find.

My friends enjoyed all of there meals, but I am the critic. We followed these with our mains; grass fed rib fillet, pancetta parmesan and garlic mash, wild mushroom ragout. Glazed lamb shanks, lemon cous cous, vanilla pumpkin, mint jelly. Steamed miso salmon basket, crab wontons, spinach, chilli jam. And chicken picatta, crisp prosciutto, balsamic tomato, smoked salmon creme fraiche from the light meals section. Crisp skinned chicken breast, potato rosti, French peas, chervil vinaigrette. Everybody enjoyed their meals with nothing left on the plates except for the bones.

Mine was the chicken, the skin was crisp and cooked beautifully; the rosti was again nicely done, as for the peas well that’s a tough one. The chervil vinaigrette was intense with flavour, excellent, could have had some more though. A side of the fat chips with HP sauce, garlic aioli had to be ordered as we had heard lots about them. Hand cut and stacked neatly on the plate they came with the accompanying sauce bowls. They had a distinct homemade flavour that you only get with real chips. Well done.

By this time most were full except Monica & me so we partook in our dessert choice. @ $14.50 Moni had the caramelised pinhead oats, raspberries, single malt whisky, double thick cream, honey and lemon. I had sticky date pudding, butterscotch sauce, honey spiced ice cream.

Both desserts were delightful and all got to try, the verdict was yummy. We then finished with good coffee and hot chocolate. Great presentation with huge bowls, triangle plates, large square plates and bamboo steamer baskets.

A very visually pleasing restaurant with tables clothed and tuxedo folded napkins, water and both red & white wine glasses. Shiny polished new cutlery great to the eye with the knife standing up instead of lying flat, but we all found them hard to use and rest on the plate. A talking point was the salt and pepper, check this out, stainless steel push button spring-loaded top that ejects the measure onto the plate. They will need to keep their eye on them that’s for sure.

The atmosphere was great, nice gentle background music, flickering candles and on the wooden deck outdoor heaters gave gentle warmth. Young Kyle one of the chefs came to see us after dinner. It was Kenny’s first day off since opening, well deserved no doubt. Neil and Kyle had done a good job in his absence. Overall a great night was had at Megalomania. John Mundell (and friends) look forward to return.

Fifteen Melbourne

Jude back from Fifteen Melbourne. Our top waitress Miss Jude visited ‘Fifteen’ in Melbourne last week and came back with the signed menu from some of the original crew. Many thanks. Fifteen in London and now they are in Cornwall UK, Amsterdam and Melbourne the first one outside of Europe. They are all called Fifteen because the first group in London were 15 young people, (they take 20 trainees each year). The restaurant funds itself with the help of donations and sponsorship, and 30% of the profit goes back to the Fifteen Foundation Australia. Quote Fifteen is about more than just cooking. is about giving troubled young people the chance to get out of the rut they’re in and break the cycles that are holding them back, and to show the world how amazing they can be! So now to the dinner and menu. Entrees from $ 16 - $19 mains from $36 - $40 desserts from $14 - $20 The prices are certainly up there when you consider that you have twenty young apprentices cooking for you!!! From this kitchen

Who says that experience pays! The verdict was that it was well worth it and Lyle our local butcher said he would have paid $100 a head. Asked if he would go again, without a dought he replied. The slow braised Victorian lamb shoulder, with crispy polenta, rainbow chard, rich jus and salsa verde was the hit. Other dishes such as gnocchi, osso bucco, braised rabbit, veal carpaccio, roasted quail, blue eye cod, antipasto, sides of rocket & fennel salad, olive oil mash, @ $8- sticky fig pudding custard & prune tart, chocolate brulee, pear & raisin crumble to finish. All these plus some more can be sampled at Fifteen, the tasting menu which is becoming more popular often called menu degustation is available @ $90 per person and comprises of six courses. href=”http://www.johnmundell.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/fifteenkitchen.jpg” title=”fifteenkitchen.jpg”>

On the side of the menu is a note from Jamie Oliver explaining a little about the reason behind Fifteen and to quote part of this the students training course isn’t like any other. It’s designed to let the students really tap into the best of Victorian and Australian produce and let them experience things that most chefs wouldn’t have the chance to in 10 years. Obviously depending on where one would go to work Jamie, but I do agree this is definitely the best training ground for any lucky young person to be able to do there apprenticeship start, if only there were more then we could forget the TAFE system, oh what a joy.

If you would like the opportunity to work at ‘Fifteen’ visit jobs@fifteenmelbourne.com.au

It’s a Shore Thing

The Shore Thing cafe on the main street in Yeppoon has seen many a face lift. In the time that I’ve been here I have witnessed five operators.

I would say that I think that it has had its ‘hay day’ back in the time of Bob & Reg with the rest of the family. It was truly the place to be, great coffee, service and yes the food was good too with such great choice very neat and clean just what you would expect to find in a big city.

Now with new owners Adam & Rachael it looks like they have settled in fine, and the cafe is back on track. A slight decor change, new menus and great to see open for dinner on Friday & Saturday as well. I have yet to sample due to work, maybe one day. As for breakfast well this was always a favourite of mine and today they didn’t disappoint.

Monica & I both had the shore thing breakfast for $12.50. Bacon, sausage, tomato, mushroom, thick toast and eggs how you like. All cooked very nice and presented with care. A small bottle of HP sauce and your in heaven on Sunday morning by the beach with a good flat white and the paper. A good flat white, $3.50 great temperature excellent crema but did lack a bit of body.

I guess the only thing wrong is the car park right by the outside tables. You can’t have everything. With car park space a premium in Yeppoon it will be hard to see that change.
The Shore Thing is open 7 days Sunday - Thursday 7am - 5 pm

Friday - Saturday 7am - 9.30pm
Outside catering is also available as well as take away meals.

For more information check out there website http://www.theshorething.com.au/

Yeppoon’s Newest Establishment

Opening night at Megalomania,
Friday the 17^th August just gone was the official opening of the newest establishment in Yeppoon. After many months of anticipation the day finally arrived.

For Colin & Monika the only thing going for it back in the planning days according to Colin was the huge fig tree with palm growing though it. Thankfully after some good guidance and help from gifted people they have now got a fine looking establishment. Colin and Monika thanked many people on the night no more than Kenneth Burton and Robert. Together they have the opportunity to run this talk of the town bar and bistro.

 

The evening was enjoyed by many people in different fields of work who were lucky to receive the invitation. We enjoyed a variety of hors-d’oeuvre from sushi, spring rolls, prawn tails to oysters to mention just a few. Also a selection of fine wine and beer was available as well as flowing champagne of course. After the speeches Kenny was given the honour of cutting the tape to officially open Megalomania.

Open seven days lunch through dinner and brunch on weekends. To make a reservation call 4939 2333. Megalomania is on Arthur Street in Yeppoon. So go on feed your ego. Rest assured it has more to offer than Lasagne.

By the way on Sunday after another launch, this time a book launch from local author Colin Macpherson, friends suggested to go for coffee at a place in town, I promptly refused to go and suggested Megalomania instead. So coffee was had and my first of many more just like that one. Great creme, taste, temperature and presentation. Off to a good start. Well done.

Premier League Football

It only feels like last week they finished the season 06/07 and it’s back again. I am not complaining, I am very pleased about this as I am a very avid follower of the English soccer. Not that I have much time to spare but I do enjoy coming home after a busy Saturday night service with all the stress that has been going on, to watch the premier league until the early hours. It certainly helps to forget all the troubles of work. And Sunday begins very well knowing that my team has won. If you fell like following the premier league just head over to Fox Sports on pay TV. Also if you are into fantasy games then join up for free on http://channel4.fantasyleague.com/Index.aspx and enter your team. Drop me a mail if you wish to join my friend’s league. Enjoy your sports.

Waterline Cafe, Bar & Restaurant

With friends back from there European holiday; it was great to catch up again. After having coffee and biscuits followed later by smoked salmon, crackers, brie and olives, we were ready for dinner.
The Waterline cafe, bar, restaurant was to become our destination.
It was a Monday night and we had booked for 7 pm. We arrived a little early but that was not a problem as there were plenty of tables free. Harry was our waiter, a very pleasant English lad, over with the hopes of securing his place in Brisbane to study.

We chose our table right near the door so as to see what was going on. It was still cold and we were glad to have our jackets on. The heaters were
inside so of no use what so ever. I guess some are more tolerant to the cold than others. The menus and wine/drinks list were on the tables along with wine glasses and our cutlery with blue paper napkins. It all looked very pleasing to the eye.
Sometimes I wish that I had a little fat under my behind as the chairs are not all that comfy, maybe cushions would help that, just a suggestion.

We chose our wine and studied the menu a little longer before ordering a few Tapas followed by our main meals. Our wine came and the host was given a sip to try, we had a discussion then about wether you really need to offer the wine to try if the bottle has no cork just a screw top, as many bottles do these days. You always checked to taste if the wine was˜corked obviously from the cellaring with the cork as the stopper. I would be interested to find out about the idea now behind the tasting of these wines today.

Harry took our order and we had our Tapas within 15 minutes. House made sun dried tomato & olive foccacia with trio of dips $12,
the bread needed salt, the dips were fine and lifted the bread

The panko crumbed beef skewers with Chinese bbq sauce $12 was very tasty. Four neat tidy skewers and a great tasting sauce was a good match.
As for the wok tossed chilli salt squid with yuzu dipping sauce $15, well that squid never touched a wok, especially as it was lightly crumbed to, it would have been very strange to wok toss something crumbed!!

Shame for the squid which was nicely scored and cut to size. The overall presentation of the tapas was very good on the nice fine square plates. As for our main meals, we had two catch of the day $31 the fish was very nicely cooked and it ate well with the soba noodles scallops and Asian inspired sauce.

The port glazed chicken breast wrapped in pancetta with wild mushroom risotto, seasoned winter vegetables and port tarragon sauce $29. The breast of chicken was huge. And was cooked to perfection nice and moist with no trace of fierce heat on the pancetta. As for the risotto, I felt that it was rather sweet, I couldn’t make out if this had come from the use of port wine or something else. It was also a little stodgy. The winter vegetables were fine. The dish came topped with sweet potato shards. Unfortunately the plates are too small to give its presentation justice as it was all to cramped. Tarragon was none existent in flavour.

Onto the braised lamb shank in a chorizo and roma tomato ragout topped with garlic mash, puffed pastry and a minted lamb jus $27. I did not get to taste this, but from the comments that I had it was tasty but full of mash. I’m not so sure about the combination but I will have to try before passing judgement.

Onto desert, the ladies choose frangelico and vanilla bean pannacotta with cointreau sauce $9. This would also have been my choice apart from the three cheese platter which had my favourites but I was just too full for more. Disappointed I was though to see that the pannacotta was set in a chocolate cup. As the other dessert was a chocolate cup with chef’s selection of handmade sorbets.
We finished with lavazza coffees which were very good. Total bill was $ 204.90.
Overall a good night at the Waterline. John Mundell will return