Well - I'm relieved to say I thoroughly enjoyed the meal at Smolt tonight.
I couldn't fault a thing. The food was absolutely beautiful with various flavours being highlighted in different courses. The service was perfect - unobtrusive, slightly friendly but not OTT, and timely. The prices - yes, on the high side, but no more so than many other places I've eaten at, and given the enjoyment factor, there was no "ouch factor" with the prices.
As it turned out, I got shouted anyway, but I had already checked out the prices prior to the bill arriving and was OK with them.
We shared 3 plates of appetisers and they were all so gorgeous in their different ways that I couldn't pick one that stood out above another. A calamari dish, an asparagus and goats cheese dish and a 'ham' one (forgotten the technical term for that beautiful parma-type ham on the menu).
For a main I had a special of the night - stuffed and chargrilled octopus. It was splendid. We also ordered a side of greens, which were broccolini, sugar snaps and beans - beautiful as well but we just couldn't tackle them. Nibbled idly at them but not seriously.
I was so full after that I couldn't fit in a dessert, even though I had already selected the Panna Cotta, which I can never go past when I see it on any menu.
So - I'm sorry to go against the opinion of those commenters who didn't like Smolt but my experience tonight was one of utter joy, happiness and contemplation of a beautiful meal in a delightful restaurant.
But - like I always say - it's only one person's opinion. If you went there and didn't like it, that's OK.
Thursday 20 December 2007
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10 comments:
Glad you enjoyed it Rita!
just had a lovely time reading all the posts I've missed out on - great stuff! Smolts on my to-do list, but I'm still eating my way through a fridgeful of Grandvewe cheese. Double yum. (Although I do have to stick my fingers in my ears so I don;t have to listen to Mr (aka the other grumpy)Bok going on about Rita's Christmas lunch there - AGAIN!)
I notice Zelda is finally getting ready to join the Hobart blogfray. Please someone with a blog ask her to allow anon comments, so I can have my 3 cents worth?
FKxx
OK, perhaps I am a grumpy old woman :-). I think it was just that my expectations at Smolt were over-inflated so I felt let down that I could have had the same dish (or better) at many other restaurants for the same or cheaper price. (I still haven't really got into the grazing thing and expect an entree, main and dessert!). But the restaurant is certainly a great addition to the Hobart scene so I will give it another go.
Kitty - a huge welcome back! Did you like the Grandvewe cheese? (I've just returned from Hill St clutching some beautiful Bruny Is cheeses! Can't wait to finish them off - they smell all oozy and inviting!) You'll need Mr Bok to take you down to Pecora to sample Lukes fine food for yourself - just make sure you book first!
Great about Zelda joining in with the blogging. Hopefully she'll see your comment here & do as you requested.
Rita II - glad you'll give Smolt another go. I really like the tapas style, and find that I've slowly moved away from the entree, main & dessert model, in preference to the grazing style. I know it started when I was chemo-ing, and the rule of thumb regarding eating then was 'eat little and often'. Because you felt so nauseous most of the time, but needed something in your tummy, that style suited best.
I find it still works for me. It broke that continuous cycle of eating I had previously been in as well - a very good thing!
Kitty - noted and will be implimented (somehow....I dont intend to start proper until the new year when I need breaks from writing thesis stuff).
'implemented'?
'start proper'??
maybe in one of your 'breaks from writing thesis stuff', you can take a quick english/grammar course.
can't wait for the blog. are you looking for a proofreader?
Rita,
Just thought I'd let you know I went to Salt for brekkie yesterday. Had wonderfully soft poached eggs, bacon,tomato and mushrooms. And guess what! BUTTER ON THE TOAST!!!
Can't wait to go back for lunch or dinner. I've heard from a few people now how wonderful their fish is so will be back as soon as I can. Not too sure when that will be as Hubby and I are working at the Taste this year, helping out on a friends stall. Then we have our trip around the channel area in the New Year. May have to go today or tomorrow now that I think of it.
Glad you had a great time at Smolt, Rita . Probably shows again how much individual food likes/dislikes and mood on the day play in assessing a restaurant, especially when paying above average $ for the privilege. I think the raw beetroot in my tapas and the noise level finally 'set' my opinion. There's probably a bit of'grumpy old man' factor involved as well! Anyway, it's always heartening to read about peoples' great restaurant experiences.
Cheers
Anon2
PS Are you a Taste of Tasmania fan?
Okay. Had lunch at Salt today.
Bloody lovely.
Hubby and I shared cajun calamari salad with lemon aioli $13, for entree. Pretty Hot and spicy, but not overpowering.
Couldn't help it, but Hubby had battered flake,salad and chips and I had battered blue eye. $16 and $18. Absolutely wonderful. We shared the fish and I have to say the nicest trevalla I've had in such a long time and the 2nd best flake I've ever had.{the 1st being from a tiny takeaway shop at St. Helens}.
Will definately venture back for dinner one night.
Zelda - glad you got Kittys mesage. Seems like we're all waiting now...!
The Boggler - yep - you appear to qualify as a seasoned proof reader! I often have the horrors when re-reading blog entries I've written, and squirm in embarrassment with the grammar used. You tend to get quite carried away with the message you're trying to get out rather than the formation of the expression of same! Anyway - glad to hear from you. Keep it up!
Christina - Salt sounds fabulous - I lined up my Salt 'date' yesterday, so will be out there shortly to check on your assessments, and looking forward to it, I must say.
Anon2 - you're not a Grumpy Old Man at all. Thanks for Thin Blue Line, too. My head is currently full of some of those brilliant forgotten lines! Am loving watching it.
I waver with my opinion of the Taste. Some years I've returned a few times over the period, and really enjoyed it, but lately (the past couple of years) I've found it pricey, tacky, uncomfortable, crowded, unoriginal and boring.
Reading between the lines of any pubicity I've seen about this years, it seems like they might be trying to alter the formula a tad, so I'll reserve judgement about this years, but really, going on past enjoyment levels, I would have been happy to never go to another one again.
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