I have been lured to The Cross on a Sunday for one very good
reason; Sunday Roast and I have it on good authority that Concrete Blonde is the
place to go.
This place is located on
Bayswater road in the same complex as Hugo’s. There is a lovely canopied
outdoor seating area, and lounge seats on which to enjoy a pre-dinner (or lunch)
drink in the afternoon sun. I assume this place is named after the U.S. rock
group of the same name, though the name has been interpreted literally in the
interesting glass door to the toilet, which contains patterns and text made of
concrete set in the glass. The fit-out feels expensive, but the tone of the
restaurant is quite casual.
After the parents, Cueball and I
settle into our seats, I spy the kitchen. It is open, and you can see the chefs
flitting back and forth, that bit is pretty standard. But the wood-fire spit
and free-standing circular grills sure aren’t! Unfortunately there isn’t anything
on the spit today, but our waitress informs us that last night there was a
special of spit-roasted suckling pig. If that isn’t the best combination of
food related words I have heard in a while. Given that the pig understandably sold
out last night I go for the grass-fed Tasmanian roast beef with all the
traditional trimmings. Think buttery beans and carrots, Yorkshire pudding,
potatoes and jus served alongside a thick cut of just-medium beef. Oh it is
heaven, absolute heaven. Of course I managed to squeeze in an entrée first; ham
hock terrine with sourdough toast, perfectly accompanied by a large glass of
chardonnay (Canobolas-Smith, Orange 2006). Pinot noir (Explorer by Surveyor
Thomson) with the beef, from Central Otago duh (seriously who isn’t on the
Otago bandwagon yet?).
Though the beef leaves me
absolutely stuffed I am completely suckered in by the warm lemon pudding with
vanilla bean ice-cream. It is spongy on top, and gooey inside. Others on the
table go for honeycomb parfait and a valrhona chocolate terrine with
raspberries and chocolate soil. Parfait, well everybody loves parfait, and for
those chocaholics out there the valrhona is everything you need and want.
For $48, the Sunday lunch menu on
offer at Concrete Blonde is more than a bargain, I am so stuffed I actually
walk home to avoid my stomach bursting. That roast beef is the best I have had
at any restaurant, and if they have the suckling pig on again God help anyone
who prevents me from getting a reservation!
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