The Brasserie By Philippe Mouchel - Part 2

Riverside at Crown
Ph: (03) 9292 7808

The lunch deal at The Brasserie is really good value. I had a great meal last time and was looking forward to going again.

A catchup lunch with Visal was the perfect opportunity. We arrived near 12pm and were one of the first customers. We were seated near the high ceiling window overlooking the Yarra, a great view. The weather outside went from sunny to dark skies with 45 degree raindrops and blistering wind all while we were deciding what to order. The glass windows came out of their groove at the bottom and were starting to wobble a lot. After some struggles by the waiters, they temporarily wedged some wooden blocks while moving us to the next table.

All that drama was handled smoothly by the wait staff and provided a bit of excitement for us. Here's Visal sitting calmly before the literal storm where the window looked like it might cave in on her.


I talked Visal into going three courses, and despite her initial fears that she couldn't finish everything, she did. For entrees, she got the Pan Seared Scallops with ginger, chives, cous cous, vegetables and Argan oil. Visal loved it, and I had food envy.


My entree of Spanner Crab Cocktail with eggplante compote and avocado cream sounded better on paper. The crab was nice and there was lots of it, but eggplant compote wasn't good at all and there was so much avocado cream that it was really sickening.


For mains, Visal choose the Gold Band Snapper with eringi mushrom and crushed potatoes. She liked it but said it wasn't amazing. This time it was her turn to have food envy.


My mains of Lamb Rump with capsicum and fennel, olive and anchovy jus was so moist and delicious.


The dish that stole the show though, was one of the side dish. The Oven-roasted vegetables consisted of eggplant and capsicum and was good. But the Sauteed mushrooms with Parisienne gnocchi was amazing. The gnocchi was so addictive and went perfectly with the mushroom.


To finish off the meal, we had the Dessert Tasting Plate. There were many elements to each, all of it very good. There were sorbets, rum baba, panna cotta, semifreddo, chocolate fondants and macarons. A great decadent way to end a great meal.


The atmosphere in The Brasserie is always calm and of casual elegance. Visal and I had a great chat over a very relaxed meal. Service was impeccable and faultless, as it should be at top end restaurant.

Overall Rating: 17/20, A great atmosphere and good, with the lunch special fantastic value for money.

Scores: 1-9: Unacceptable, don't bother. 10-11: Just OK,some shortcomings. 12: Fair. 13: Getting there. 14: Recommended. 15: Good. 16: Really good. 17: Truly excellent. 18: An outstanding experience. 19-20:Approaching perfection, Victoria's best.