Pascale Bar & Grill On Fire With Chef Andy Harmer
Pascale Bar & Grill is a top notch foodie destination and part of the boutique experience of QT Melbourne. We;ve visited a couple of times before and visited both the hotel rooms and rooftop on several occasions. We loved our return to Pascale Bar & Grill for dinner.
First of all when visiting Pascale you are struck by the chic fit out and mood. I was able to sit back in a comfy high back chair and noted the tiles and leather bucket chairs and lush carpets. If you're here for a special occasion you realise quickly you're in the right place. Scanning the room we noticed several business types who must also have felt that this is exceptional hotel dining. Not just for hotel guests, Pascale Bar & Grill is for all Melbournians.
Kicking off with Italian Barbera. Pascale has a decent wine list.
The QT Beef Tartare with cured egg yolk was joyous dining.
QT Melbourne is a place that stands out from the crowd. While we enjoy other Melbourne hotels there's no doubt QT Melbourne is a compelling Melbourne offering and in a great part of the city.
Recently I recommended this hotel to my American investment banker friend and he was highly impressed. To be able to slip up to Pascale Bar & Grill and also QT Rooftop for a drink or two is fabulous. What is even more exciting is that iconic chef Andy Harmer (ex Vue De Monde, the Point, D.O.M.) has taken the reins in the kitchen.
Cured Kingfish was also a triumph with Green Strawberry, Kombu oil.
The menu features elegant and refined starters with native delicacies (many picked from the hotel's rooftop garden), the finest meat and fresh fish cooked on the charcoal grill, josper oven and rotisserie, all complemented by seasonal side dishes and a sweet finish from the pastry kitchen.
A highlight was crab Cakes with pickled kohlrabi, apple. You need these crab cakes in your life!
When you think that this is hotel dining, you can't but be highly impressed with the offerings. This is dining full of technique and imagination. The wood fired Josper oven is a feature but it's all about using the oven expertly and "showcasing" fabulous ingredients.
Another compelling dish was the Linguine featuring home made truffle and mushroom linguine. If you're sharing this dish you may end up fighting over it. Truffles of the season with mushroom for a rustic dish. Well presented and first class. Perfect winter dish (but I'll eat this in any season).
Out comes the specialty Tanto knives for some serious meat action.
Wood Roasted Flinders Lamb Rack was also a delight showcasing brilliant produce and cooked to perfection. Complemented wonderfully by eggplant, iceberg, black olives.
Roasted butternut pumpkin with yuzu and feta was an excellent side to pair with the meat.
Jacks Creek Scotch Fillet NSW 300g was juicy and rewarding; high grade scotch fillet.
The sides aren't token sides; almost a meal in themselves.
Did I mention the Hand cut beef fat chips? So good. Highly recommend you order these. Together with the steak (and the vegetables and pumpkin) we were in a happy place indeed.
Delicious and instargrammable.
A selection of mustards to accompany the steak. I'll take all three (is that the done thing?).
Delightful desserts include Alpine strawberry, eucalyptus, chocolate as a light but highly enjoyable dessert.
The highlight was the Snickers Bar with salted caramel. Playful and fun with impressive flavours and texture.
Pascale Bar & Grill is a superb dining destination for those staying at QT Melbourne but also for those visiting from across Melbourne. Highly recommended.