my wife and i came here for our three year anniversary on a whim. it was melbourne cup night, and this may have contributed to the fact that we were able to book a table for two at eight by phone, an hour prior to our arrival. i have always been sceptical about this place. usually we would go for a little more avant garde - ortiga or melbourne. please understand we are not loaded, but treat ourselves to a dinner out a couple of times a year and it has to be fancy. this one was courtesy of fleetwood mac cancelling. my birthday present became this night out. melbourne cup night meant we could dress up which was nice. please dress up. we arrived early and were sat at the bar while our table was prepared. one can eat at the bar and i would advise this if on a date, for sure. nice and intimate and amongst the action, and alcohol. we would have stayed at the bar (no probs expressed by staff) but the table was a goodie. we had the degustation menu $95 each which i think is reasonable. here it is-
service: top notch. dealt with two or three staff in our transition from bar to table to dinner to exit and all were obviously experienced. and subtle. i had to take a work call outside and the waiter came over and chatted to my wife until i came back so she didn't sit on her own in the middle of the restaurant. he also noted her not drinking and upon realising she was pregnant made sure that medium rare was ok for the lamb dish. this is impressive. did not feel rushed at any time. really impressed by staff, and this is important for us.
atmosphere: i would take my parents here to impress them. intimate. the clock works.
food: this place has grounded me. yes modern takes/avante garde have been my thing but this is simple food done very very well. my friends won't think i'm cool any more and i care not. the best fish dish i have ever had in my life. i'm forty. great degustation menu, perfectly sated at the end. and the wine list is great.
we will return, thank you.