October each year is a month of many blessings in Sydney. One of the local October blessings is the array of marvellous food and beverage offerings that are available for Good Food Month. Some are for just one night, some like this span the month.
ABODE Bistro Bar at The Park Royal is celebrating the month with cheese, with the special Fromage To You four course dinner with Yalumba wine pairing.
It's a beautiful dinner which gives an international taste of many styles of cheeses across the set menu and good value at just $99 for the lot.
The cheese starts with Jannei Buche Blanc in the generous pre-entrée nicely brought to room temperature and offset with braised leeks, candied walnuts, sherry vinaigrette and Yalumba 'Y' Series Pinot Grigio. Take your time. There's lots more cheesey goodness to come.
Then comes Le Superb Gruyere Swiss which works wonderfully well in the star of the show with lashings of crab atop a fluffy light soufflé. It's wonderful to see this classic offered Without the usual restaurant offering of twice cooking, in its softer, gentler, form. To its side is a sweet beetroot puree, which is lovely, but best treated separately as it somewhat overpowers the delicate flavour and texture of the central piece. With it Yalumba 'Y' Sauvignon Blanc provides the glass.
An 18 month Grana Padana appears next with the main course though skilfully used as a cameo in the parmesan and herb crust. For the heartiest dish of the night, an old school slab of veal rack sits in comfort with endive and apple salad, the apple cooked, just warmed through and an equal size compliment of cooked tomatoes and onions called relish. In itself a big piece of classic nourishment, showcasing a classic hard Italian cheese. Served with Yalumba Traditional Galway Shiraz.
Finally, the last course comes as you might guess. The generous cheese board presents a luscious Will Studd Le Dauphin brie from France, an overpowering Quickes Oak Smoked Cheddar from England, Milawa Blue from North East Victoria, fresh and dried fruits and Yalumba Muscat.
Fromage To You presents a lovely way to explore cheese, expand your knowledge and your cheese palate. As a big generous dinner of hearty proportions its best savoured over a long leisurely night. Get there while you can.