Fowles Wine
1175 Lambing Gully Rd, Avenel
03 5796 2150
Australian
$$$$
Food
- Cauliflower Croquettes
- Caponata
- Marinated Avenel Mushrooms
- Mushroom Soup
- Pork Belly
- Eye Fillet
The Good
We were off to a tasty start with a trio of appetisers including the Cauliflower Croquettes, Caponata and Marinated Avenel Mushrooms.
The Cauliflower Croquettes were an instant standout. The golden crusted outer enclosed a soft and gooey inner of luscious melted cheese and soft cauliflower. This was accompanied by a beautiful blue cheese sauce that added an amazing depth in flavour and a hint of pungent sensation. Flawless.
We also enjoyed the Caponata. This Baked Eggplant Casserole was cooked in a rich and fragrant tomato Sugo. Within, we found an abundance of soft, comforting chunks of eggplant, mushrooms, as well as plenty of sliced onions. The bold, flavoursome sauce made this a perfect pairing with the bread served alongside.
Another favourite of ours was the Mushroom Soup. This Soup of the Day most definitely did not disappoint, with a creamy and thick texture that was full of mushroomy goodness. The forward flavours were well complemented by the fresh and zesty rocket pesto. A warm and hearty soup.
We then sampled the Pork Belly and the Eye Fillet.
The Pork Belly looked absolutely stunning. The generous helping of pork belly stood front and centre of the dish, with a beautiful crackling on the outer that hid away perfectly intertwined layers of fat and protein. The pork belly itself was of great quality, the balance of lean and fat making for a juicy, tender experience that was full of flavour without being overly rich. The accompanying veggies were plentiful and fresh, with the purple cabbage providing plentynof sweetness However a tad more seasoning on the pork would’ve brought this dish to an exceptional level.
The Steak wasn’t bad either. Seared to a medium rare, the inner was still red and a tad bloody. The protein offered up a nice beefy flavour and great juiciness, though was a tad chewier than expected. The garlic butter slowly melting on top did wonders, bringing in a decadent richness and a lovely garlicy aroma.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
It was overall a pleasant though unspectacular meal. The seasonal menu was predictably your standard Modern Australian cuisine, though without too much creativity or twists.
Fortunately, the menu pairs nice enough with a good range of wines made in house. For a relaxing afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Fowles Wines is worth stopping by.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
When in the area, sure!
Penguineats would like to thank Fowles Wine for inviting us.