How many savory dishes incorporating chocolate have you tasted? For me, I would have to say none before. When I first saw this event I was quite intrigued into how chocolate could be used in savory dishes. Sure I had heard of celebrity chefs using chocolate in their recipes, but I had always thought of that as being ‘scandalous‘ (my boyfriend and my new favourite word)/weird. However, William Blue together with Michel Cluizel and Apromo Trading brought me an evening of chocolate indulgence.
The boyfriend and I were seated next to the window, which I didn’t mind as it allowed a more romantic atmosphere with no one to bother us. We were served a freshly baked roll and a cocktail which I didn’t know what it was but was happy to drink it. In front of us was the menu. This was on the inside of the menu:
“William Blue is delighted to present, in collaboration with Michel Cluizel chocolate and Apromo Trading, an evening of degustation. Tonight explores the myriad of uses for chocolate, and also highlights one of the most exquisite products available in Australia.
Since 1948, Michel has been preparing single origin plantation chocolates. Each is unique, drawing on the quality of soil, the rainfall, and the minerals that naturally occur in the area. You will find flavours ranging from black currants and caramel, to smoke and leather.”
Now after reading that, I was already drooling. Chocolate for every course? Oh yes! I couldn’t wait for the dishes to arrive. Head chef of William Blue Brasserie, James Ballingall (who I see around William Blue during my breaks) gave us a short introduction into Michel Cluizel’s chocolates and gave thanks to Apromo Trading. I found out that Michel Cluizels chocolates were sold in the David Jones Food Hall, so next time I’m in the area I will go purchase some. I’ve always had a love for chocolate. But it wasn’t until the most recent years where I’ve learnt to appreciate dark chocolate. The slight bitterness really brought an edge to chocolate. The delicate pieces of dark chocolate, slightly sweet but with hints of bitterness from the cocoa, followed by a smooth texture in the mouth made me fall in love with it. I feel like some chocolate now. But I will continue this entry.
So the meal began. Each dish was accompanied by a wine. The dish is bold and the accompanying wine is underneath each dish.
[no photo because camera was acting up]
Deconstructed foie gras truffle, accompanied by Los Ancones, salted Shantilly, Campari citrus
Stonleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2009
Morel Mushroom and Villa Grancinda tortelloni noisette butter, soured hazelnuts and brussel sprouts puree
Seppelt Original Sparkling Shriaz, 2005
Breast of quail and Maralumi mole negro with crisp jicama and roasted cocoa nibs
Tamar Ridge Gewurztraminer, 2008
Green apple and Valvados granita
Double chocolate carbonnade of beef cheek, roasted garlic pommes purees, crisp enoki mushrooms
Young’s Double Choc Stout
Baby salad of beetroot, goat’s cheese, wild rocket and toasted walnuts
Smoked breast of duck, Concepcion and port glace, black cherry and confit leg springroll, arancini natura
Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, 2007
Mangaro dark chocolate and King Island cloth matured cheddar ‘truffles’, black pepper lavosh, macerated apricots
De Bortolli ‘Noble One’ Botrytis Semillon, 2007
Mangaro and Maralumi milk creme tian with peanut butter soil and strawberry concasse
Tea and coffee
My personal favourites were:
Morel Mushroom and Villa Grancinda tortelloni noisette butter, soured hazelnuts and brussel sprouts puree: The Morel Mushroom was imported from Europe, it’s quite a meaty mushroom. It did indeed feel like I was eating meat. The chocolate was very subtle and only a slight hint of bitterness was present.
Double chocolate carbonnade of beef cheek, roasted garlic pommes purees, crisp enoki mushrooms: The beef was so soft. You didn’t need a knife to eat it all all. It was weird how I could taste both the chocolate and the beef but they just complimented each other so well. It wasn’t too rich either. I could’ve eaten another serving it was so nice.
Mangaro dark chocolate and King Island cloth matured cheddar ‘truffles’, black pepper lavosh, macerated apricots: Personally, I don’t like cheese and I don’t eat it. I have this thing where if I eat dairy I get really sick. I think it’s lactose intolerance but I can drink milk in tea. But since the cheese was covered in chocolate I had to try it. It was absolutely delicious! You first can distinctly taste the chocolate, then when the chocolate has all gone, the saltiness of the cheese comes through. It didn’t taste like cheese at all. It was so *drool*. I might try and make something like this.
Special mentions:
Smoked breast of duck, Concepcion and port glace, black cherry and confit leg springroll, arancini natura: The duck was smoked with earl grey which I found quite interesting. But I don’t really like any dishes that have a ‘poo smear’ on it.
Absolutely favourite dish (of course, it’s dessert!):
Mangaro and Maralumi milk creme tian with peanut butter soil and strawberry concasse: So so so delicious! It was kind of like a panna cotta, but more dense. It was made with Madagascan milk and dark chocolate. 2 layers of milk chocolate tian with a thin layer of dark chocolate in the middle. Although it was quite dense, you’d expect it to be quite rich and heavy. Yet is wasn’t. It went down a treat. The strawberries on top also helped to cut down on the sweetness of the chocolate. And the peanut butter soil, which looked like breadcrumbs provided the nuttiness to the dish. Of course in a chocolate degustation, the dessert has to be the best dish and indeed it was. I think if I see the head chef around I will ask him how he made the tian. Absolutely delicious!
Favourite wine:
De Bortolli ‘Noble One’ Botrytis Semillon, 2007: It was quite sweet but they didn’t give us much so it was perfect. According to my best friend Lemon, I have good taste as this is once of the better dessert wines. I think I’ll try and find a bottle next time I’m in a alcohol store.
The boyfriend loved the Young’s Double Choc Stout so I gave him mine as well. I’m not much of a wine drinker, but I did take a sip of every wine that was offered. Apart from the dessert wine with I guzzled down.
During the meal I was messaging my friend Richard, who was supposed to come but was complaining that the menu didn’t sound appealing enough. He was having korean hotpot with his girlfriend and was saying how much cheaper his meal was. Eventually I got the boyfriend to send a message saying: “From the author of happynomnomnom: It’s not about the price, it’s about the symphony of flavours in the mouth. It’s about the whole experience of the meal.” Unfortunately I didn’t get a reply from him after that.
The overall experience of the meal was excellent. The service was great. The food was delicious. The ambiance was quite romantic and comfortable with the dim lighting. And I didn’t find the meal too expensive. $99 for an 8 course meal with matching wines. According to the head chef, this was the beginning of a series of degustations that will be happening at William Blue. I hope there is so I can try more new and exciting things.
Happy nom nom nom-ing!
Happy nom nom nom-ing! 