Senses Templestowe
124 James Street, Templestowe
03 9846 5211
Mediterranean
$$$
Food
- Kibbi
- Mediterranean Crab Cakes
- Chorizo and Truffle Croquettes
- Spaghetti Marinara
- Salmon Pizza
- Babyback Ribs
- Slow Roasted Pulled Lamb Shoulder
- Chargrilled Rib Eye with Mushroom Sauce
- Warm Belgian Chocolate Pudding
- Home Made Sticky Date Pudding
- Sour Cherry Panna Cotta
- Red Velvet Chocolate Mousse
The Good
The Babyback Ribs came highly recommended and we weren’t disappointed. Smothered in a generous coating of sweet and smokey barbecue sauce, within was a huge rack of beautifully slow roasted pork protein. Soft and full of flavour, the ribs were meaty and well marinated with their house-made barbecue sauce. This was nicely accompanied by a corn salsa that provided a refreshing twist to the dish.
The Slow Roasted Pulled Lamb Shoulder was a highlight of the evening. Exceptionally tender and succulent, the pre-cut chunks of lamb were roasted to perfection. Mixed with the capsicum salsa that gave it a peppery sensation and served with lightly toasted pita, the dish was rather appetising and devoured in a hurry.
We also enjoyed the Rib Eye. With a nicely charred outer, the crispy outer layer was accompanied by a juicy and thick meaty inner. Loaded with an unapologetically bold and rich beef aroma, one could truly appreciate the flavours of a quality piece of beef. Despite being overcooked on this occasion, we ordered for medium, the steak remained juicy and wasn’t overly tough. This was well complemented by the mushroom sauce, where a strong red wine flavour permeated throughout.
We also enjoyed the Chorizo and Truffle Croquettes. Uniquely different, these croquettes were perfectly round and had a thick, bready batter. Biting into the outer shell reveals an exceptionally flavourful and cheesy inner, filled with stringy cheese, soft chorizo and of course truffle oil. While not overly flavourful given the ingredients within, it was very aromatic and enjoyable, mainly thanks to the truffle oil.
We were advised that the Warm Belgian Chocolate Pudding was a signature dish and a must try, and we definitely understood why. Served hot, the pudding exhibited a light crunch on the outer, which gave way to an exceedingly runny inner. Within, we found the pudding filled with a rather rich and creamy chocolate sauce that was full of flavour. With a spongy feedback, the pudding wasn’t overly sweet, which was well juxtaposed by the sweetness of the warm chocolate sauce within.
The Home Made Sticky Date Pudding was also a crowd favourite. Exceptionally soft and fudgey, it was well complemented by a generous amount of caramel sauce which provided an additional kick in sweetness. Served warm once again, this was directly juxtaposed by a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream, and was just the perfect dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth.
The Mediocre
The Salmon Pizza was unfortunately not to our taste. While the pizza was cheesy and crust crispy, the sheer amount of cured salmon layered on top was just too much of a sensory overload. The texture and fishy sensations made for a less appetising experience.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Despite issues with execution across the board, we found that it was overall an enjoyable meal. Spectacular and creative it was not. However, with some tweaks and improvements, many of these dishes can easily be elevated to the next level.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Sure. We excitedly anticipate to return to a more creative and well-executed menu.
Penguineats would like to thank Senses Templestowe for inviting us.