Opus Dining
237, Whitehorse Road, Balwyn
03 9816 8725
Australian
$$$$
Food
- Seared Scallops
- Crispy Fried Eggplant
- Crispy Lamb Ribs
- Braised Lamb Shank
- Roasted Duck Breast
- Caramelised Lemon and Vanilla Tart
The Good
We began with a trio of starters that came highly recommended by our server. The highlight and standout of the three was unquestionably the Seared Scallops. Flown in from Canada, these gigantic scallops were definitely a sight to behold. Properly seared and exhibiting a beautifully charred outer, these juicy, meaty scallops effortlessly melted away in your mouth with the freshest of flavour. This was well accompanied by a creamy cauliflower puree as well as some garlic and yuzu to enhance the fresh flavours.
The Crispy Fried Eggplant also impressed. The outer curmbing of rice puffs was most definitely novel and unique, creating a satisfying and excellent crunch sensation thatade way for a perfectly cooked, gooey inner. We dipped the otherwise unseasoned eggplant in some sesame mayonnaise and w
Not to be missed were the Crispy Lamb Ribs. Glazed with a sticky fish sauce, these aptly fatty lamb ribs were fried to a nice crisp and carried a bold, pungent aroma that’s definitely an acquired taste. The lamb easily dell away from the bone, the crispness
For mains, we dug into the Braised Lamb Shank and Roasted Duck Breast. As many foodies would know, duck is incredibly difficult to execute perfectly. Thankfully Opus Dining has done exactly that, roasting the duck to perfection. The slightly pink inner was surrounded by a layer of crisp, fatty duck skin. The protein exhibited just the right consistency, tender and soft, without being chewy nor tough. Each mouthful was simply a pleasure, accompanied by the sweetness not cranberries and soft, fluffy potatoes.
The Lamb Shank certainly didn’t disappoint either. The sizeable shank stood front and centre of the plate, surrounding by an incredibly aromatic jus of red wine, lamb and truffle paste. The smell was simply irresistible, and was matched by the succulent tenderness of the lamb itself. With plenty of juicy oyster mushrooms to pair, this dish most definitely satisfied our tastebuds.
We concluded on a sweet note with the Caramelised Lemon and Vanilla Tart. Served warm, this was a comforting treat that surprised in more ways than one. The top layer of the tart was blow torched, creating a crisp caramelised upper that cracked and reveals a pillowy creamy inner. We found the lemon flavour well balanced, with a hint of eggy, vanilla flavour that was neither too rich nor tangy. Of course, this was served in a short, buttery base and a dollop of creme fraiche to top it all off!
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Located in Balwyn, Opus Dining is a newly launched, finer-dining venue that follows on from the success of Imbue Food and Wine in Maribyrnong. Despite the calibre of chefs, quality of the produce and impeccable execution, their menu is relatively affordable and offers an exceptional dining experience for the price.
For a memorable night out, leave the kids at home and indulge in what Opus Dining has to offer.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Most definitely!
Penguineats would like to thank Opus Dining for inviting us.