Once upon a time there was a princess. She liked to write, she liked to soak in a warm bath but most of all… she liked to eat! This red-headed princess was on a mission, a mission to find absolute dining deliciousness. The princess was not satisfied by the food on offer at the castle (she was not handy with a stove or pan) so had spent her days and nights exploring her beautiful land to find an eating experience with something a little bit special. On a Saturday night, an age ago (ok, it was two weeks) when the princess stepped out of her small-unit-castle with her black heels and coral lipstick, she had no idea of what edible treasures were coming her way. When her royal-taxi-chariot pulled up outside The Grace Establishment on that fateful night, little did she know that she was destined for a feast that would satisfy the most royal of tastebuds.
As the princess entered this happening bar and restaurant she was instantly attracted to the clean lines and striking black and white décor, not to mention the glorious glow created by the sun pouring through the opened concertina doors to the beer garden. Deciding to enjoy a beverage at the bar the princess ordered a Passionfruit Gimlet which tickled her fancy beyond belief, flooding her buds with sour, fruity freshness.
After a round of cocktails which alone made the trip worthwhile, the princess and her prince were then escorted to the dining room and settled onto their thrones. “Bring me a selection of the finest dishes your establishment has to offer,” the princess demanded. Or did she say “the tasting menu looks pretty rad so we both want to get in on that?” The story gets a tad hazy there.
Within a short time the courses began to flow and the trumpets were cued as the first dish was served; a salmon tartare presented in a can. Normally the princess would decline to eat from a can but with fish as fresh as this, she simply could not refuse! In fact she feared cutting her tongue when devouring the final fishy morsels.
Next up were the crab tacos served on mini pita-like bases. The crab was beautifully complemented by the corn and were gone within two little princess bites! This little teaser was followed up by the much anticipated venison. This dish was without a doubt the highlight of the royal princess’ feast. The thinly sliced meat was juicy and tender with the flavour brilliantly accompanied by blueberries. “Blueberries!” The princess exclaimed. She had never tried such an unlikely pairing before, but upon tasting could not believe the flavours evoked and pronounced to her town’s people (twitter followers) that venison shall never be eaten again without a blueberry accompaniment!
The mains were served on a wooden board, another creatively presented dish. Leek and gruyere croquettes topped with a leek ash, fried chicken accompanied by jerk mayonnaise and mini–wagyu cheeseburgers. Each dish was better than the next but the princess suspected some foul play was involved in the fried chicken and they may have bound and tortured the Colonel for his 11 secret herbs and spices. They then used the Colonel’s secrets and took the chicken to a whole… other…. level!
The crowning jewel was the oh-so-sweet finish. These were DIY jam donuts which came on a bed of melted chocolate and accompanied by a syringe full of raspberry coulis to inject into the light and cinnamon-y donut balls. The royal princess may have lost a little of her royal manners when forcing these into her mouth, blissfully unaware of the raspberry and silky chocolate covering her royal face.
And with that the decedent feast was over, but the memory will not be lost. Like the thousand layers of the princess’ gossamer petticoat, each course was light and intricate. However, be warned boys and girls, like a dragon hiding in the princess’ moat, the small dishes will creep up on you and before you know it your belly will be so full it wishes to burst (and a royal gown seam split may follow!)
The princess could not have been happier about her success in the quest for dining deliciousness, and after many jugs of sangria in the garden of beer, she retired to her royal bed for a deep and satisfied sleep (she passed out). And although young girls and boys, we are not all princes and princesses, if one wishes to venture to The Grace Establishment, you certainly will feel like one.
Untill next time… Stay Rad-elaide.
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