The end of fine dining in Australia?

[travelislife]

I think people are getting confused between Rockpool and Rockpool Bar and Grill (which exactly is what Perry said was happening!), the Bar and Grills (one of which is in Melbourne) aren't closing. It is Rockpool in Sydney which is rebranding.

 

[Mal]

There is certainly big money in burgers, plus much lower overheads. Quicker turnaround of tables too. With tightening up of expense accounts etc, I'm not surprised that these overstaffed, overpriced and way too large restaurants are on the decline.

 

[Conrad_S]

Doing my bit for world peace.

Though I'm not convinced it was ever claimed to be fine dining, Movida (Melbourne original) may not be as good as it once was. But Movida at the airport (Sydney T2) is a very welcome addition to my way of thinking.

Fwiw except for the occasional visit I'm over fine dining myself. The quality of meals in a good mid range place these days is superb. It's in some ways like flying F over J. I also think The original Movida is still damned good and next door is a great place to stop in for a beverage and a bite on the way home from the footy.

 

[medhead]

Fining dining - According to SWMBO - you can keep your off cuts and offal.

BRIAN: Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar. Tuscany fried bats.

BRIAN: Larks' tongues. Otters' noses. Ocelot spleens.

 

[love_the_life]

Let me guess, Monty Python by the sound of it.

 

[Isochronous]

The new generation lack the class and sophistication to appreciate fine dining.

 

[Pushka]

The new generation lack the class and sophistication to appreciate fine dining.

That sounds like something my mother in law would have said.

 

[Warks]

The new generation lack the class and sophistication to appreciate fine dining.

Apparently they don't let you in wearing tracky-daks and ugg boots! The nerve!

 

[Deleted member]

Yes I know. Unlike some people I'm able to discuss two things at once

wow, nasty !

 

[medhead]

that's a complement, to be called a new generation. I'll have to tell SWMBO. Unless you're saying she's a new generation. That'd be a double complement on my trophy wife then.

 

[Deleted member]

it strikes me that "Fine dining" has come to mean something else today. I remember when Fine Dining" meant more about the ambience, decor , service etc.
But today it is much more about the food, and the "Dining" experience is (IMHO) somewhat down graded.
this is only my opinion of course, but I don't need to be confronted with Heston like delights to make a Fine Dining experience.
I have been one to lament the loss of roof top restaurants with magic city views and discreet waiters, a good selection of wines and well prepared food. But hey , that's just me

 

[Boca68]

Hmmm, fine dining. Today its a bit of a misnomer.

As others have said, fine dining was a step above in service, ambience, but not necessarily food.

Mr. Perrys' Rockpool indeed was a lovely place. Deserved to be included in the 'fine dining' world. I read another post which mentions Movida. Whilst I think it was brilliant, its not by my definition, fine dining.

El Bulli, Noma, Fat Duck, La Tour D'Argent, Savoy Grill....etc! It will surprise many, that few, if any 2* or 3* restaurants run at a profit. It has most always been the way. Nowadays, celebrity chefs use them as there marketing tool to venture into other projects.

Previously, the top chefs would stick to an obscenely priced menu with an attached cookery school. That's were the money was. Training other chefs. I'm going back to Bocuse, Ducasse, Le Roux, Lorrain. (circa 1985 to 95)

But, back to Mr Perry, he has simply diluted the pool. Makes a dollar or 2 from the B&G. He has his name there now in lights, no need to have the tax write off.

 

[eric2011]

Who defines fine dining, recent television ads have described some forms of food at Mc Donalds as "fine dining"

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The new generation lack the class and sophistication to appreciate fine dining.

Or has more common sense than to spend $$$ on a fancy tablecloth at the expense of value.

I dunno, maybe I'm the only one... but after plenty of less than successful meals on board Qantas I wouldn't consider going to a NP restaurant.

 

[JohnK]

The new generation lack the class and sophistication to appreciate fine dining.

I lack class and sophistication and I am not part of the new generation. Overpriced restaurants are not on the wish list.

 

[kaktusdigital]

Hmmm, fine dining. Today its a bit of a misnomer.

As others have said, fine dining was a step above in service, ambience, but not necessarily food.

Mr. Perrys' Rockpool indeed was a lovely place. Deserved to be included in the 'fine dining' world. I read another post which mentions Movida. Whilst I think it was brilliant, its not by my definition, fine dining.

El Bulli, Noma, Fat Duck, La Tour D'Argent, Savoy Grill....etc! It will surprise many, that few, if any 2* or 3* restaurants run at a profit. It has most always been the way. Nowadays, celebrity chefs use them as there marketing tool to venture into other projects.

Previously, the top chefs would stick to an obscenely priced menu with an attached cookery school. That's were the money was. Training other chefs. I'm going back to Bocuse, Ducasse, Le Roux, Lorrain. (circa 1985 to 95)

But, back to Mr Perry, he has simply diluted the pool. Makes a dollar or 2 from the B&G. He has his name there now in lights, no need to have the tax write off.

I'd say that's probably the case with Andrew McConnell's fine line of restaurants. coughulus is a powerhouse, never an empty night and priced accordingly. Along with that he has Supernormal, Builder's Arm, coughulus UP & Luxembourg. But do they exist purely to financially prop up the 2 starred Cutler & Co?
On the surface it certainly looks like he's spreading himself too thin like Perry, but these venues are very much about the food. Fine dining certainly isn't something that seems as it once was if popularity of restaurants are to go by. I'm much more interested in going to coughulus for a joyous dinner of wine and tucking into a lamb shoulder than a something more formal. Unless we're talking about Sepia in Sydney (oh which btw, is closing down to re-open as something completely different.)

 

[boomy]

Or has more common sense than to spend $$$ on a fancy tablecloth at the expense of value.

I dunno, maybe I'm the only one... but after plenty of less than successful meals on board Qantas I wouldn't consider going to a NP restaurant.

You are not the only one. Every time I hear NP's name I think about the food onboard QF and it's a shame because Rockpool Sydney was great restaurant.
Somehow the quality wasn't replicated well to QF.

In contrast, after having some great meals onboard JL I really want to visit their celebrity chef restaurant.

 

[Boca68]

I'd say that's probably the case with Andrew McConnell's fine line of restaurants. coughulus is a powerhouse, never an empty night and priced accordingly. Along with that he has Supernormal, Builder's Arm, coughulus UP & Luxembourg. But do they exist purely to financially prop up the 2 starred Cutler & Co?
On the surface it certainly looks like he's spreading himself too thin like Perry, but these venues are very much about the food. Fine dining certainly isn't something that seems as it once was if popularity of restaurants are to go by. I'm much more interested in going to coughulus for a joyous dinner of wine and tucking into a lamb shoulder than a something more formal. Unless we're talking about Sepia in Sydney (oh which btw, is closing down to re-open as something completely different.)

Cutler & Co is wonderful.

The Builders Arms used to be my local before it went upmarket..lol. It was the best pub in Melbourne, but few knew Apart from the All Nations.

But I hear your words, kaktusdigital.

 

[amaroo]

Fine dining hasn't come to an end .... it just has for NP. Wonder if he regrets moving from the Rocks and changing his style?

 

[love_the_life]

Spare a thought for Canberra when you talk about lack of fine dining :shock: