Provenance Food and Wine - Collingwood
Date: Sunday 23rd May 2010
Restaurant: Provenance Food and Wine
Address: 288 Smith Street, Collingwood
Phone: 03 8415 0700
Commentary : Sarah Andrew
Once again we were invited to provide wine for a seasonal pleasures night at Provenance, Food and Wine. The event was an autumn degustation to celebrate local pears, and was aptly titled ‘What a Pear’. By popular demand this event was held over three nights, starting last Friday 21st May and finishing on Sunday 23rd May. Lucky for me the third night was offered as the first two nights sold out very quickly. I ate and drank very well last night working through the following menu:
Gorgonzola Dolce Pannacotta,
salt pear coulis, crispy prosciutto
2007 Lamont Riesling – Central Otago, NZ
Pear Tarte Tatin,
Parmesan crisp, watercress, rocket pesto
NV Georges Michel Methode Traditionelle – Marlborough, NZ
Boned Quail,
Pear and pecan farce, cavalo nero, jus gras
2008 Hastwell & Lightfoot Cabernet Franc – McLaren Vale, SA
Pear and Roquefort Millefeuille
2006 Amietta Angels’ Share Cabernet Carmenere – Moorabool Valley, VIC
“Partridge in a Pear Tree”
Partridge breast, pear and ginger tortellini, pear confit
2006 Lamont Pinot Noir – Central Otago, NZ
Caramel pear pudding, double cream
2006 Georges Michel Autumn Folly (dessert wine) – Marlborough, NZ
Coffee Assiette,
espresso poached pear, chocolate espresso mousse, “pear-fogato”
By the end of the evening I had sampled a number of pear varieties including the Williams’, Anjou, Bosc, Corella, Nashi and Packham pear. Each wine and food match brought out the best in texture and flavour of the dish. The wine added character and where required support in the way of acid, spice and sweetness to further enhance flavours on the palate. Compliments must be extended to the chef Matt Barnard who ran the kitchen and his team with such relaxed professionalism. The food experience was second to none and the service by Hannah was friendly and informative.
A bonus was the Jazz interlude by Jules and Ben who dropped in to entertain the diners for a while. The success of this event is a credit to owner David Hynes who managed to replicate the experience over three nights at a time when many restaurants have to work very hard to keep the numbers coming through the door. I have one question for David: what seasonal pleasure is next?