Friday 12 November 2010

Rita's adventures in wonderland


Saturday 13th November marks the birthday of Rita’s youngest offspring, Miss Bec. When asked what she wanted for her birthday, her instant response was a desire to attend the Beerfest Degustation at Cooleys (as spearheaded by Cooleys Hotel owner Kalis Group’s recently-appointed executive, Paul Foreman). ‘Easy peasy’, said Rita. ‘Done deal’, said Rita. So that’s how Rita and Bec ended up last night in surreal-land Cooleys eating surreal-food dego.

Now for those (foreigners) amongst us, Cooleys is in Moonah. Moonah is the first suburb in what is generally classed (in Hobart language) as NCR – which = north of Creek Road. Creek Rd (Lenah Valley) is defined as the border between the world of flannies and hot cars, and the world of Yves St Laurent and BMW’s. Nowhere was this difference more obvious than last night at dego at Cooleys!

As waitstaff served course after course of the 5 course dego, it was obvious that many (most?) present were there principally for the matched beers. Totally natural for this opening Beerfest event for this years Beerfest. I’m not sure but I would hazard a guess that Rita would have been the sole non-drinker in the room of roughly 80-odd people!

The turnout was, I thought, fantastic. The vibe enthusiastic and noisy.

But – I was there solely for the food, and an interesting evening for food it was too! Along with anticipating each course, I was also extremely interested in observing the reactions of our fellow table members (four fantastic and fun guys – Michael, Nick, George and birthday boy Daniel), and decided to get a group vote at the end of each course in order to more accurately reflect the group reaction to the food.

At this stage I need to add news of my disaster of the year: my MORONIC daughter (who had diligently taken some of the most inspired and artistic snaps, ever, of each dish as it came out) decided that a picture she’d taken of herself and her mother would be better deleted – so she deleted – EVERY SINGLE PHOTO IN THE CAMERA’S MEMORY! As I am still recovering from this trauma, I can’t say any more on that subject, but suffice it to say there is no way she ever lays a finger on my beloved and trusty camera ever again!

Vintage cheddar and molasses ciabatta bread arrived first, silver served onto our sideplates. It didn’t require the oil and balsamic on the table, as it was easily the best ciabatta I have ever had, with the strong vintage cheese flavour being carried through every mouthful.

Hot and sour soup featuring Flinders Island green lip abalone, lup cheong, shitake mushroom and chilli came next, elegantly served in a reinforced glass with a teaspoon to assist in serving the tasty tidbits contained within. It was fabulous, and all present at our table unanimously voted it a 4 out of 5.

Next came the Kataifi striped trumpeter, gaufrette potatoes, cornichons and Fat Yak foam. For those (like non-drinker Rita!) unaware of Fat Yak, it turns out to be a variety of beer from WA named Matilda Bay Fat Yak! This read to me, on initial perusing of the menu, as being the standout course, but in fact turned out to be the biggest disappointment. Simply, it didn’t work. Talking with Paul afterwards, I could see what he had been aiming for – a fish and chips-style plate, but as he’d fried the fish in its kaitifi and didn’t want to fry the potato as well, decided he would pickle the potato instead, and matched that with the pickled cornichon, or gherkin. Sorry Paul, but the table rated it at 1.5 out of 5.

Roaring Forties blue cheese soufflé, accompanied by fig, prune & Beez Neez (another Matilda Bay beer) jam, white salad and pickled zucchini then arrived. Before the food came, we all cogitated about what exactly comprised a ‘white salad’. It turned out to be 2 melon ball-sized scoops of apple topped with a shoot of micro-herb! This was a great plate with the soufflé being perfectly done – no mean feat for a group of 80-odd diners, I would imagine! The flavours were beautiful, with all at the table murmuring through mouths full of food how yummy this was. This dish rated a 3.5, as the table got more discerning in their ratings as the meal progressed, but I reckon if it had been served up first it would have rated 5/5.

12 hour Big Helga (another Matilda Bay beer) braised Longford oyster blade, onions, spec, sweetbreads and anchovies was next. The boys at the table knew there was something suss about the sweetbreads, but all gave them a valiant try, albeit slowly and suspiciously! Overall, this dish was enjoyed, with it rating 3 out of 5.

The final course easily tied with the first course as regards popularity. It scored 4 out of 5. Anzac Cookie and dark chocolate parfait, banana toffee and Cascade Export Stout sabayon triumphed supreme. It was exactly what was needed to finish off a great meal – sweet and highlighting the individual fine flavours of the separate components. (See above for the sole photographic evidence of last night's meal, taken post-disaster!)

It was a late night, with us leaving at 11.40. Apart from suppressing the desire to throttle my daughter for the unforgiveable sin of deleting all my precious photos, I thoroughly enjoyed my night at Cooleys, apart from being treated with total disrespect by waitboy extraordinaire, Jamie (who, I might add, coincidentally happens to be my son)! Thanks to my fellow table members for a wonderful evening; to Tom the other waiter who claims to be a firm Rita-reader; to Alexia who runs the pub; and to Paul and his kitchen staff who provided Cooleys with a taste of Marque IV-standard food.
Posted on by Rita
28 comments

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know someone who did this (deleted their entire camera memory card contents) when on holiday - and had it restored by a camera shop when they got back to Australia. Take it in to someone who knows what they're doing and you might be lucky!

Tassiegal said...

Rita all is not lost. You just need to download one of those disk rescue packages.

Anonymous said...

new peppermint bay restaurant is called-the stackings-???

Christina said...

Very jealous, I would have loved to have gone, but saving money for the actual beerfest today!
Happy birthday Bec, and I know how you feel. Phil wanted to delete one photo and deleted all the photos of my sons 18th birthday. Never to be seen again!

Fabulouse said...

Rita, as long as you don't take any more photos on the card, they can be retrieved. There is lots of software that is available, or can go to a camera shop. Goodluck !

Anonymous said...

And on that last comment Rita - Vale Marque IV

Tassiegal said...

Vale Marque IV? Have I missed something? (Highly likely as am in thesis hell).

Anonymous said...

How much was it?

Rita said...

Sorry Anon - it was $95 per head, with all matched beers inclusive.

Anonymous said...

That's a pretty good price for 5 courses with matching beer.

Anonymous said...

Ah...but Marque IV is no longer!! Glad you enjoyed your dinner at Cooley's

Anonymous said...

marque-no-more

Anonymous said...

Even if you do take more photos on the card they still can be retrieved usually, mostly. Its a bit of a black science! Take it in as soon as you can if you intend to keep using it.

Anonymous said...

Has MIV shut down? I'm out of Tasmania at the moment so am a bit out of the loop...

Rita said...

Thanks to all for your knowledgeable comments on retrieving my camera memory pics. Fingers crossed that is a possibility.
Re MIV - I don't think it has closed down, but has changed into more of a 'family-friendly' restaurant?? I stand totally corrected, but that is what I have heard.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rita

glad to hear you had a great night
working that night was brilliant,and it was great to meet you for the frist time.
So now you know that i do like reading your blog

Tom Bawle
the other waiter

Rita said...

Thanks for dropping by Tom. I missed you last night when I ate at Cooleys again, catching up with a friend. Different food, different vibe.

Anonymous said...

will you be blogging last nights meal? We'd like to know what they do on a normal night!!!!

Rita said...

Hmmm Anon 10.54.....don't corner me like that!
I had a steak in my usual WD fashion, with pepper sauce and chips. It was what I felt like, and I enjoyed it.
We sat outside so the girls could smoke, so consequently I arrived home absolutely reeking of smoke and had to leave my clothes in the lounge room as they stunk so much - just like in the good old days after a night's work in a bar when I would arrive home with eyes smarting and clothes & hair totally permeated with cigarette smoke.

Giggles said...

i didn't think paul liked cooking steak n chips ??? is this why he left pb ???

Rita said...

Giggles - Paul isn't the chef at Cooleys. He was hired on more of an executive role than cooking, and as such travels round the different properties owned by the Kalis group. I imagine he likes to flex his creative cookery muscles at functions like the dego last week, but that now isn't a major part of his current employment.

Catering Sydney said...

yes this price is quit good, with bear, for me one bear is enough, If I take this.

Anonymous said...

No mention of the duck???? Jesus, last timne I comp you a meal!!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Catering Sydney, Whats up with your spelling

Rita said...

That better NOT be the last time you comp me a meal, Anon 5.15!
As I only had one mouthful of the CONFIT DUCK, which was probably delicious, it would be unfair to comment on it, or mention it here! As it was, as I commented at the time you cleared back the plates, my mouth had the pepper sauce flavour in it when I sampled the duck so, so too hard to taste properly. I had my own confit duck recently, as you might well know....which was stunning! Cooleys will have to try and top that one! (Steve does!)

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Christina said...

Just thought I'd let you know Phil and I had lunch at Cooley's today.
Not bad at all. Very impressed with the refurb. Outdoor area is great as is indoor. Food was pretty good.... pub meal but good none the less. In all fairness I think the menu sounds fantastic but in reality it is exactly what it is, just doesn't quite live up to the description, but only by a pinch.
Having said that I would really like you to put Bethany on your Outstanding Service list Rita.
She was so helpful, knew every aspect of the menu, offered suggestions when I {of course} was undecided, and in general was the epitome of great service.
Yes we will return... great atmosphere, very local for us, clean,tidy,well presented, and the coup de grace.... Johnny Cash song playing as we left!
Now off to Bicheno tomorrow to see what treasures we can find!

Christina said...

Rang last night to book in to Granite at Bicheno only to find out they're closed.
"Closed!" said I.... "yep we're closed!".
Not sure but sounded permanent. Pretty disappointed.