Mrs Top 8 course French degustation

Tuesday 25 September we went to an Entertainment card special at Mrs Top at Neutral Bay. It was an 8 course special in Bordeaux style - "Saveurs de Bordeaux".

Above: Amuse bouche - Roquefort cheese, grape, apricot and plum

Terrine de Danglier - Wild boar terrine with Port and redcurrant served with Muscat jelly

Creme de concombres au Pernod: Creamy cucumber soup with Pernod.

Salade d'Avril: Butter lettuce, garlic croutons, toasted pine nuts, Dijon mustard and walnut oil.

Sole au beurre blanc: Fillet of Lemon sole served in white wine, butter sauce


Apple and Rose Sorbet
Filet a la Bordelaise: Fillet of beef with classic complex bordelaise sauce (great sauce).
Obelisque aux fruits de la passion: Passion fruit spire.
(note I kept the odd capitalisations from the original menu)

I was not full. I am not sure if the photos give an idea of the size of each plate and contents, but they were very small. I was going to discuss how this should have been called a 'tasting menu' not a degustation (believing there was a marked difference), but my friend Wiki explained it:

Degustation is a term meaning "a careful, appreciative tasting of various foods.

And that it was - just not wholly satisfying. It was a special deal for $49, and for that I think it was ok value, but not all courses were a standout. The salad, amuse bouche and sole were disappointing. The soup was interesting and the sauce of the beef was great. The desserts were fine - especially the sorbet, and the boar terrine was very nice.

Still a good night, great company and a cosy restaurant.

If I were to use the 30 point rating from the yum cha page, I guess I would rate it at 19 - with high marks for value in the end as they offer free BYO.