The end of fine dining in Australia?

[Conrad_S]

Wasn't SA settled by those who left the Old Dart before they were caught?
Actually one was an ancestor of mine and for him it was true-had 6 wives that we know of.Never divorced or widowed.:shock:

That's terrible!
I've found one to be more than enough

 

[Pushka]

It's called religious freedom drron

 

[TheRealTMA]

It's called religious freedom drron

Not for women though.

 

[Milboo]

Ironic that MoVida was mentioned in first few posts with the news today Frank Camora is closing the Sydney one. Apparent reason is the location - being in Surry Hills. He claims that his restaurant is more suited to CBD. Perhaps but I know very few people who go into the CBD for dinner these days unless they are staying in there.

I was underwhelmed by a meal at the Melbourne one a couple of years back.

 

[Pushka]

Not for women though.

You assume that.
Just like the numpty who wants to remove 'guys'. I use it all the time.

 

[TheRealTMA]

You assume that.
Just like the numpty who wants to remove 'guys'. I use it all the time.

No problem with "guys", just using "religious beliefs" for polygamy is problematic.

But what's this got to do with fine dining?

Some fine dining in Porto, Portugal...

 

[Pushka]

No problem with "guys", just using "religious beliefs" for polygamy is problematic.

But what's this got to do with fine dining?

Absolutely nothing. I thought I was in the OT thread.

Tonights effort at Hamilton Island.

 

[Peter D]

Yes. They were settled by convicts after all :shock:
.

No way. Melbourne was free colony and the early settlers were very insistent about it.

 

[drross]

I think all "celebrity" chefs end up going down that route. High-end fine dining restaurants are apparently just not that profitable. The path to true riches lies in endorsements, TV reality shows and the commercialization of the "brand" rather than the actual food. Here in Melbourne (note: not Sydney), Frank Camorra had a fantastic Spanish restaurant called Movida. The first thing in Melbourne (and Australia) like it. Then he opened another one, then another one. Then a bakery. Then he opened one in Sydney. Great, the empire is expanding - but Movida is sadly nowhere near as good as it was originally (although it has to be said, no less popular).

They take their eye off the ball, as you say spread themselves too thin, and service and food quality starts to slip.

love Movida and Movida next door. Try to get to one of them ever trip to Melbourne

 

[drross]

Great idea. And of course it is only Melbourne and Sydney that lack table manners.

what will you call it medhead? Whingers and w(h)inners?

 

[Milboo]

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.

Starting to think this thread is jinxed for the restaurants named in it!

News this morning is Builder's Arms is closing!

 

[Fiches Mouser]

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

I hope you're referring to the establishments themselves. This forum is made up of a pretty diverse range of ages who might find that sweeping generalisation pretty offensive.

I must say, I agree with both Conrad_S and kaktusdigital. The top end of the dining market (F class in this metaphor) just doesn't do enough to justify the extra cost over the middle market (J class – the coughulus Incs* of the world) which is just superb, particularly here in MEL. I firmly believe Melbourne and Sydney have some of the best value, consistently high-quality dining anywhere in the world. Largely, thanks to a diverse population that shares in a love for food and the culture around it.

Yes, the white table is largely gone but that's because the focus has changed.

Fine dining to me, on a really basic level, means very high quality produce, interesting menus, warm interiors and hospitality that makes you feel welcomed and engaged*. I would argue we're at the end of pretentious dining at the expense of genuine quality which I couldn't be happier about.

(*Yes, Andrew McConnell is a favourite)

 

[Mal]

The staggering numbers that show why no Sydney restaurant is safe | Business Insider

Reinforces my point that he is in the right direction by opening Burger kitchens basically....

 

[Foreigner]

Restaurateurs need volume of covers to be profitable. Few big spenders is no silver bullet.

 

[cove]

With the rain I am just so glad it is a 50 metre walk to Aria. We could not get a booking at two other first picks so the Vivid light show is filling up Sydney.

 

[medhead]

what will you call it medhead? Whingers and w(h)inners?

Anna is much more betterer with words than me, I'll let her name her thread.

 

[Happy Dude]

We're not at the end but perhaps it's coming into sight. I find that restaurants seem to want to charge fine dining prices with as many corners cut as possible. My peeves:

1. Being addressed along the lines of "Hi guys, how are you going", or "would you guys like anymore drinks"?
2. No tablecloths/napkins when paying on >$35 mains
3. The bill just being plonked on the table rather than in the hand of the reservation-maker.
4. "Celebrity chefs" that never appear to actually cook. No-one seems to mind this. Interestingly, I once went to a broadway show and the groans that circulated from the audience upon being told just before the show started that the billed star would not be playing the lead role must have been a real confidence sapper for the understudy.
5. Lasagna that has no beef or pork. (Alright this may not be on topic but there's no such thing as blue swimmer crab lasagna).

I should add that I have two daughters under 5 so my current compass for fine dining is gobbling down plates of dumplings in Box Hill or Clayton.

 

[amaroo]

The end of fine dining coincides with a lamentable decline in basic table manners IMO. I might start a thread about that Covering both Melbourne and Sydney :shock:

I agree! A certain Mayfair Michelin [-]3*[/-] 2* "celebrity chef" can't help himself from flogging/advertising his cookbooks with signs on the tables :shock: How desperate can you be?

 

[boomy]

As long as Attica still open fine dining is alive in MEL.

 

[whughes3]

As long as Attica still open fine dining is alive in MEL.

Well, if you actually ever succeed in getting into it...