Luxembourg
Shop 2, 157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
03 9525 4488
Modern European
$$$
Food
- Ocean Trout Gravlax
- Potato Skins With Whipped Cod Roe
- Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder
- Chopped Broccoli Salad
- Creme Caramel
- Chocolate Tart With Chantilly Creme
The Good
Served in a traditional hessian cloth basket, the bread was warm and fragrant. The slight crunch of the crust contrasted the soft fluffy inner of the bread. With a heap of soft, rich butter spreaded on top, we were off to a great start!
For the entree, we were served the Potato Skins with Whipped Cod Roe. Baked to an exceptionally crunch, held within the golden brown potato skins was the aromatic and flavourful Cod Roe. With a bold fishy flavour, combined with a smooth and thick consistency, this mixture perfectly juxtaposed the crunch of its outer shell.
Next up was the Ocean Trout Gravlax. Served raw, you were able to fully appreciate the freshness of the fish. While this was served along with a slightly sweet and tangy pickled fennel, which admittedly provided an intricate mixture of flavours, I believe this could've been better paired by a light cream cheese, which would've allowed the fish to shine even more.
We were ecstatic when the Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder arrived at our table. Cutting open the slightly crusty outer that was seasoned with a spice, perhaps turmeric, we found some exceptionally soft, succulent and juicy protein. Probing it with a fork, the meat fell right off the bone. This was perhaps the most perfectly cooked lamb shoulder I've ever samples. Coupled with some yoghurt and olive oil, this was just divine.
Balancing the meaty main was the Chopped Broccoli Salad. With a mix of almonds and raisins, this dish was light and refreshing. The bits of toasted almonds provided an extra crunch and texture, beautifully balanced by a slightly sour and tangy lemon dressing. A perfect pairing to the lamb shoulder.
Dessert gradually made it's way to our table, and that chocolate tart was definitely worth the wait. Breaking open the crunchy and hard outer shell, you were rewarded with a melty, fudgey chocolate core that gradually seeped out. Combined with the lightly flavoured and airy Chantilly Cream, this rich, slightly dark chocolate dish was beautifully balanced.
The Creme Caramel was equally enjoyable. Exceptionally soft, the silky smooth texture was made even better by the bold caramel flavour. Within all the sweetness was a hint of charred aftertaste, akin to the top layer of a Creme brûlée. Beautiful.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable degustation menu that showcased the best of what Luxembourg has to offer. While portion sizes weren't overly generous, we definitely didn't exactly leave hungry either, but it did leave us wanting for more.
The execution for most dishes was pretty much flawless, and service courteous and efficient. Despite being a French restaurant though, we unfortunately didn't manage to get much French flavours nor inspiration in our dishes.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Definitely. While this isn't quite fine dining, the prices are more than reasonable for the quality and level of food served here.
I'd be back, perhaps not for their degustation menu but for more traditional French dishes, like Escargot and Steak and Fries.