fine dining at latitude 32. latitude 32 review
after reading some not to kindly review about a supposedly fine dining establishment in matilda bay, we cancelled and chose the local “latitude 32” instead for our special occasion. our experience there for lunches gave us a positive expectation.
deciding on the “scallop” entree, it arrived with just three mixed size scallops topped with bacon piece, some “rocket” salad and all swimming in a “blue cheese” based sauce with a few chips of “poached pear” scattered around. it looked okay, however presentation is one thing and taste can be another. the “blue cheese” dressing was over-powering and fought off any taste the slightly underdone scallops might have had. the bacon piece was greasy and should have been left off or a crispy piece of pancetta would have been better. the poached pear went some way towards offsetting the over-bearing blue cheese, but the little chips of it was hardly enough and the rocket salad just didn’t do anything for this entree. we were disappointed, however the waitingstaffmust have sensed this and we soon had the maitre visiting the table to get the same feedback described above. we know how to fix this dish and it will be a home cooked favourite in future.
we went separate ways for mains, one “barramundi” and the other “salmon” but both served with an “almond” laced “cheese risotto” some whole “beans” and “asparagus” tips. the barramundi was delightful with a slightly poached taste and lovely crispy skin, and the salmon beautifully cooked and a similar crispy skin. the side items complimented both these main ingredients in a spectacular way, and if there was a criticism at all it would be that the barramundi was sitting on a puddle of olive oil rather than a drizzle. the risotto was beautiful with the crunchy almond setting it off a treat, and the beans and asparagus tips were crispy, tasty and in perfect portion size. we really enjoyed this main course and given that both entree and mains sizes left plenty of room we explored the desert menu with enthusiasm.
the “cream broulee” with “raspberry sorbet” and sliced “champaign poached peach” slices appealed to both of us. it proved to be a spectacular way to end the dinner with the tangy sorbet a hit. the peaches perhaps a little hard, the tart just a tad heavy, however everything on the desert plate was sweet, tasty and balanced. wonderful desert and fitting end to our special event.
thestaffwere attentive (perhaps a little to much) and the time between courses was a little less time than we would have liked. probably because it was a monday night and a few empty tables amongst twenty or so people dining out there. overall we really enjoyed our night that set us back $157.00 (meals and a bottle central victorian white sparkling wine), and after the maître d very kindly discounted the entree’s cost by one. the cost a little more than some might pay, the meal portions a little smaller, but all and all a very pleasant dining experience and most suited for “special occasion” or dinner with friends. it is worth noting that this restaurant has a bar and lighter meal section where good quality cheaper bistro type meals are available (our lunch’s experience). unfortunately the outlook from the restaurant is currently not the lovely seascape it would normally be given rockingham city council has chosen to schedule jetty restoration work that has cranes, metal fences and donger’s in the way.
enjoy.....