Reviewed by Benjamin Oxley
Courtesy: Grace Hotel, York Street,
Sydney
The Grace Hotel Brasserie Seafood
Buffet Dinner
Everything has its season, particularly
in dining. It was a very welcoming staff that ushered us into the buffet, very
keen to answer questions about the experience. Essentially dinner forms part of
a package for hotel guests (you can pay $39 rather than $45). As the diners
gathered, there was a convivial spirit in the air. No hint of the peak hour
traffic two floors up from street level.
So to the food. Opening with cold
entrees, mussels, prawns, there were some complimentary flavours from the
seafood and sauces. The salmon was fresh, with the texture and temperature
ideal. Herbed potatoes and seafood pasta salad had some interesting flavours,
but perhaps there was a place for a textural contrast, like a crusty trivet.
Some wine to accompany from De Bortoli,
a 2011 Lorimer Shiraz and sensibly for the cuisine, a Semillon Blanc. Apart
from the seafood chowder, the main courses want for a little more depth of
flavour. Would some spice and flavours like galangal work in these dishes?
Desserts brought an array of delicately
shaped creations; the accent on less is more. There was fresh fruit in a mini
pastry shell in a light custard, coconut and raspberry slice with a tile of
jelly. The lasting flavour was the poppy seed cake with the peel-infused
gelatine top. Lovely to find something at the end of the meal that satisfies
the palate.
Overall, the wait staff was most
impressive in their roles, and indeed sales and marketing had their time cut
out answering questions. One offered his perspective: “New year, new
adventure.” They were welcoming people and being very responsive to the diner’s
requests. Hopefully they had time for dinner after their debrief.
Also, thanks to Head Chef Tan Kok Siong
and his kitchen staff for stepping up to make the Grace an evening destination
for guests and diners. One request (which was made on the night) was to let the
music accompany the meal. The room’s low ceilings don’t allow for lots of sound
sources outside voices. Vivid baroque and classical music started to intrude on
the conversations at our table. It’s all a question of balance, like the meal.
Grace Seafood Buffet Dinner $45 per
person
Grace Hotel launches its sensational
seafood buffet dinner commencing Tuesday the 5th of February and is open from
Tuesday to Saturday nights throughout the year.
Special introductory price of $45 per
person is only valid till 31th July 2013.
For reservations email:
restaurant.reservations@gracehotel.com.au or call 02 9272 6670
