This week I was fortunate enough to go to Underbar restaurant in Ballarat for dinner. For those of you that haven't heard of Underbar yet, please allow me to explain it to you. According to their website, Underbar (pronounced oon-de-bar) is a Swedish adjective that means delectable, divine, gorgeous, lovely, marvelous and wonderful; which is a pretty good description of how amazing this place actually is. With only 12 seats in the restaurant and only one Friday or Saturday evening dining opportunity, this place is not easy to get a table at, but the wait to get one is totally worth it.
Zoe and I, with the help of two of my dearest friends, indulged in the inspired chef's seasonal tasting menu with accompanying wines on Friday night; which allowed us to share in four hours of delicious eating, indulgent drinking and cosy conversation to kick off our weekend and celebrate Zoe's upcoming graduation on Thursday next week.
It's pretty hard to describe the food that you eat at Underbar, and you could never really say that going to Underbar is 'going out for dinner' because it is really more of a culinary experience than a dinner. In saying that however, don't think that you are not going to be fed enough at because nothing could be further from the truth. You are doing nothing but eating and drinking on and off for the duration and by the end of the evening you are bursting at the seams and completely satisfied and content. Let's just say that you need to be in it for the food to go to Underbar. I slept like a baby after we got home, and slept in for the first time in an age on Saturday morning as well. Talk about ultimate contentment!
10 courses of deliciousness were enjoyed in total. Beginning with nibbles, we then headed into appetisers, meandered through two entrees, delighted in three mains and then rounded it all out with two desserts and finished with delicate liquored jelly sweets; the courses just kept coming and coming and nothing disappointed. Chef Derek Boath clearly has a passion for good food and local produce and it is such a rare privilege to be able to observe a dedicated chef busily at work in the kitchen, giving your dishes his personal and intense attention to detail with lavish flourishes and impressive creativity.
I tried new foods, I 'oohed and ahhed' at the incredible presentation of the dishes and I ate like a queen for a day. I cannot recommend the entire experience enough. If you haven't looked into a seat at Underbar yet, you really should. This restaurant is a bucket list experience that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. Yes, it is pricey, but it is also worth it and I think that it was excellent value for money, Underbar is definitely a dining experience that you will never forget.
Zoe and I, with the help of two of my dearest friends, indulged in the inspired chef's seasonal tasting menu with accompanying wines on Friday night; which allowed us to share in four hours of delicious eating, indulgent drinking and cosy conversation to kick off our weekend and celebrate Zoe's upcoming graduation on Thursday next week.
It's pretty hard to describe the food that you eat at Underbar, and you could never really say that going to Underbar is 'going out for dinner' because it is really more of a culinary experience than a dinner. In saying that however, don't think that you are not going to be fed enough at because nothing could be further from the truth. You are doing nothing but eating and drinking on and off for the duration and by the end of the evening you are bursting at the seams and completely satisfied and content. Let's just say that you need to be in it for the food to go to Underbar. I slept like a baby after we got home, and slept in for the first time in an age on Saturday morning as well. Talk about ultimate contentment!
10 courses of deliciousness were enjoyed in total. Beginning with nibbles, we then headed into appetisers, meandered through two entrees, delighted in three mains and then rounded it all out with two desserts and finished with delicate liquored jelly sweets; the courses just kept coming and coming and nothing disappointed. Chef Derek Boath clearly has a passion for good food and local produce and it is such a rare privilege to be able to observe a dedicated chef busily at work in the kitchen, giving your dishes his personal and intense attention to detail with lavish flourishes and impressive creativity.
I tried new foods, I 'oohed and ahhed' at the incredible presentation of the dishes and I ate like a queen for a day. I cannot recommend the entire experience enough. If you haven't looked into a seat at Underbar yet, you really should. This restaurant is a bucket list experience that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. Yes, it is pricey, but it is also worth it and I think that it was excellent value for money, Underbar is definitely a dining experience that you will never forget.
CHEF
Release Date: 2014
Rating: M
Running Time: 115 mins
Feel good movie of the year in 2014, this is a crowd pleaser. Having seen it with four other women, not one of them didn't think that it was charming. The Cuban soundtrack is very seductive and adds to the fun element of the movie, it's almost impossible to not tap your foot and hum along. The story revolves around Chef Casper (Jon Favreau) a 5 star chef who has lost his mojo and his credibility following a scathing review. In an effort to get some passion back into his life his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara) encourages him to open a food van and cook from his heart, making simple but unbeatable Cuban food. With the help of his best friend (John Leguizamo) and son (darling newcomer Emjay Anthony) he takes his van on the ultimate foodie road trip across the USA.
An amazing all star cast flesh out all of the bit roles including Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Dustin Hoffman, making this latest offering from John Favreau a delicious treat indeed.
FINAL SAY: Food Porn!
3.5 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2014
Rating: M
Running Time: 115 mins
Feel good movie of the year in 2014, this is a crowd pleaser. Having seen it with four other women, not one of them didn't think that it was charming. The Cuban soundtrack is very seductive and adds to the fun element of the movie, it's almost impossible to not tap your foot and hum along. The story revolves around Chef Casper (Jon Favreau) a 5 star chef who has lost his mojo and his credibility following a scathing review. In an effort to get some passion back into his life his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara) encourages him to open a food van and cook from his heart, making simple but unbeatable Cuban food. With the help of his best friend (John Leguizamo) and son (darling newcomer Emjay Anthony) he takes his van on the ultimate foodie road trip across the USA.
An amazing all star cast flesh out all of the bit roles including Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Dustin Hoffman, making this latest offering from John Favreau a delicious treat indeed.
FINAL SAY: Food Porn!
3.5 Chilli Peppers
RSS Feed