Usually I try to avoid Wilson Parking like a plague since we found out they charge $15 for the first 30 min during the day. Needless to say, we quickly got out of that Wilson and parked at one of the CPP. Funnily enough the same parking is $6 flat rate from 5pm to midnight when you pre-book it - a bargain in the CBD! It took out a lot of stress trying to find parking in the city on a Friday night. Although the car park entry is directly opposite the restaurant, we had to go around the Central Park building for 'safe passage'.
We went downstairs to the Bistro part because that's what they indicated when we booked online for 6 people. There were 2 waitresses chatting by the till and the one facing us ignored us (she looked 'new' so maybe she didn't know what to do yet?). It wasn't until they finished chatting and the waitress with her back to us noticed us that they looked up our reservation - which was actually upstairs.
Our waiter was attentive at first but we soon found ourselves looking around for him throughout the night and having to flag the waitress (who was very nice and friendly). I was keen to try their marron as it's not a very common ingredient on menus and it seems like a pretty good deal for what you get. Unfortunately the marron wasn't available that night but they've got a special menu item instead: ribs slow cooked for 12 hours (I think, I forgot sorry!), falling off the bone, with beetroot and espresso sauce served with chips. The waiter assured us that the sauce is actually "very good and not weird".
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| Slow cooked ribs with beetroot and espresso sauce served with chips |
My ribs were actually pretty good. Not what I expected and wasn't as tender as I would've liked but still nice. I don't think my other friends' ribs were as tender and definitely weren't "falling off the bone". I liked the salsa-type sauce on top better than the espresso sauce (he was right, it wasn't weird but it was interesting...). My chips were pretty soggy but okay with the same salsa that came in a little pot. However it definitely paled in comparison to the side of fries my friend ordered that came with "dill aoili and paprika salt".
I didn't try the veal but my friend said it was average. The lamb osso bucco was very nice and I quite liked the bit that I tried. I was quite keen on the beef cheek too but was left disappointed. It was a bit too acidic, stringent and weird for me. My friend and I agreed that we don't like it.
Lastly, dessert! I really like their take on a Snickers bar. It was the right texture and amount of peanut, chocolate, caramel and sweetness. The salted caramel ice cream tasted more like a lovely vanilla ice cream but there's plenty of caramel on the side.
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| Lamb osso bucco with pearl barley risotto; veal T-bone; fries side dish |
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| Beef cheek with pearl cous cous and beetroot puree |
I didn't try the veal but my friend said it was average. The lamb osso bucco was very nice and I quite liked the bit that I tried. I was quite keen on the beef cheek too but was left disappointed. It was a bit too acidic, stringent and weird for me. My friend and I agreed that we don't like it.
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| Snickers bar |
Lastly, dessert! I really like their take on a Snickers bar. It was the right texture and amount of peanut, chocolate, caramel and sweetness. The salted caramel ice cream tasted more like a lovely vanilla ice cream but there's plenty of caramel on the side.
WICB? Maybe. Their service and mains were a bit of a hit and miss. My love for peanuts and desserts is strong enough to want to come back though. I want to try their pork belly parcels and duck rillette if I come back next time.
The Trustee can always be Trusted!!!!
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