Iki-Jime Seafood by Vue

9/10 on Tuesday 30 April 2019. 

THE SCENE

The Walrus:  Showcasing my exceptional orienteering skills by not finding the front entrance to the restaurant and doing a bit of sidetracking and parkour to force our way in via the back entrance to wander through the kitchen and into the restaurant proper much to the bemusement of the back of house staff. No-one challenged us so I took that to mean its a good start to the night. 9/10

The Carpenter: Another wander through the streets toward the RACV club. Up to the Vue Cafe, past the door, down the alley, into a side beer garden type of thing, and then into a back kitchen door. Rather than one of the Walrus’ typically elusive destination restaurants it turns out he just didn’t know where the fron tdoor was and we ended up going in the back. Still, a mini-adventure to satrt the evening and weave a web of slight confusion. I don’t think there’s been any change in the decor since they repurposed the Cafe into this space - a nice open area. 8/10

POTATIONS

W: A nice Archie Rose Gin martini to kick off with. A cool distillery up in Rosebery NSW that mixes an equal number of traditional botanicals with Australian native botanicals whilst all underpinned with a good whack of juniper. The bartender did a very good job at constructing the martini as well . A cracking start.   9.5/10

C: Archie Rose martini. A fantastic NSW gin. 10/10

ENTREE

W: We selected entree’s that were part old and part new. The classic 1970’s go-to entree, the Prawn Cocktail is reinterpreted here in a brilliant but minimalist way. All the flavors of the classic are there, which you arent expecting when you see the format…so its quite a nice surprise. The prawns are nice and fresh and have been prepared with care as well. The second entree is more from the “new”. Moreton Bay Bug Tarts! My favorite crustacean! Sweeter and more tender than traditional lobster, this meat on top of the beautifully made (and short) tart crust was sensational.

Perfect. 10/10

C:  The traditional Prawn cocktail reinvented. Excellent.

And a moreton bay Bug tart. Another cracking entree.

10/10

MAIN

W: For main, we went for a shared plate of the Arnhem Land Burramundi with Lemon and Caper Butter. The fish was very nice. You really only get the fish when you order so if you want anything to accompany it, pre select what you want. 9/10

C: A delicious barramundi. Just right. 8.5/10

DESSERT

W: I cant go past a good old Tarte Tatin when on a dessert menu. This was apple and just caramelised right (maybe edging a little to much toward well done on the pastry???) But it was still really good eating and all the better for some ice cream to scoff it down with…de-lightful. 9/10

C:  An excellent Chocolate souffle. Deep. Light. Fluffy. Recommended. 8.5/10

STICKY

W: No sticky on the night.

C:. None taken

SERVICE

W: Excellent service. We were never left waiting and the food is outstanding  9.5/10

C: Excellent 9/10

OVERALL

W: A really nice restaurant. 9/10

C: A great redo of the old Vue Cafe. 9/10

THE CAP

W: No night cap was taken.

C: No cap. Things to do. Places to go. Nappies to change (not mine or the Walrus’)