Relaunch party at La Grillade – Crows Nest, NSW
I lived in Wollstonecraft for nearly over 2 years and drove past La Grillade almost a gazillion times but somehow never cross my mind to dine in this restaurant. But then I wasn’t seriously food savvy back then (still ain’t now), am always self conscious when come to fine dining. Still am!
Finally I got the chance to step inside this establishment for the first time. La Grillade, as its name suggested, it is a French restaurant and has been operating in Crows Nest for over 25 years! It finally has a new makeover and a horde of sydney food bloggers are invited to celebrate its relaunch party. The dining area is cosy overlooking the open plan kitchen, and it stretches out to the back where the courtyard dining area is. An amber glowing cocktail bar stands between the two dining area and serving an extensive list of cocktails and French wine.
Braised lamb shoulder, Paris mash and quail egg
It was very crowded in the restaurant during the launch party and there wasn’t really much room to move. There were lots of canapes floating by to keep us bloggers satiated but they were gone so fast before I even got the chance to put the camera out of my bag. Soon we found ourselves lingering around the kitchen area and I managed to get a few shots of the food before they are being served.
The braised lamb shoulder with quail egg is possibly the highlight of the night. Hungry guests already snatched them from the kitchen bench before even the waitress had the chance to serve them. Who could resist really with such a cute tiny quail egg, sunny side up on top of the braised lamb shoulder with buttery paris mash.
Seared tuna nicoise with caviar
The huge portion of seared tuna nicoise with caviar served on silver spoon is quite a challenge to eat it all at one go. The contrasty black and orange caviar on top of a sweet slice of seared tuna perfectly balanced with tangy nicoise. I thought the quartered egg is a nice touch.
Lentil, peas and red wine pithivier
These little pastries were hot out of the oven. The pastry is puffy and flaky, with a mash of lentil, peas and red wine pithvier filling inside. I am pretty sure I can eat a whole plate of these little buggers.
wagyu and brioche sandwich, lobster butter and beetroot
A thin layer of wagyu sits on top of soft brioche sandwich cube slathered with lobster butter, then topped with a square of beetroot for that earthy undertone.
Garlic snails en croute
I couldn’t help but finding the hustle and bustle behind the kitchen while the chef plating up the escargots is more exciting and mesmerising. (Imagining myself behind the kitchen in white uniform, talking French… LOL!)
I didn’t get the chance to try escargots while I was in Paris, and these little morsels of escargots will do for now. At first I thought I was eating sauteed mushroom until Jenius confirmed that it is snail. Served in a flaky vol-au-vant with a little dollop of pea puree for colour and sweetness.
Mini ratatouille tart with goats curd
Anyone mentioned ratatouille will instantly remind me of the Pixar animation film. But these mini ratatouille tarts look nothing like the one in the movie. The tiny crusty morsels are jam-packed with an array of chopped vegetables including eggplant, zucchini, tomato and carrot, topped with a dollop of game goats curd for contrast.
Seared scallop, celeriac remoulade, pancetta
click for details
It was actually quite a hectic night at the party, with lots of shoving and pushing just to make your way through the crowd. Now looking back at all these pictures, I am thinking, “Hang on, I don’t remember tasting that!”
Now I wish I’ve tried the seared scallop with celeriac remoulade and pancetta, and the Blackmore’s wagyu bresola with roquefort and fig. I can only imagine that they both gonna taste amazing. We finished the night off with a little dessert of tangy lemon curd tart with mixed berries.
I am actually quite impressed with the huge array of different canapes served at the party and every single one has its own distinctive texture and flavour. I think a proper dinner at this restaurant is definitely in the itinerary in the near future.
lemon curd tart with blueberries, raspberries and strawberries
[A Table For Two attended this event courtesy of La Grillade, organised by Prue from Mint Partners. ]
La Grillade Restaurant 118 Alexander St, Crows Nest NSW 2065 P: (02) 9439 3707 Business Hours: Lunch 12pm-3pm Mon-Fri Dinner 6pm-10pm Mon-Sat
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
The lamb shoulder does look amazing, but so does the tuna, mini ratatouille, and wagyu brioche sandwich! Isn’t it hilarious to think you’d forgotten to taste something because you were too busy photographing! LOL. Fantastic review and pics as always, thanks!
Great looking photos !!! Definitely looks like a place to note down and pay a visit to
.-= YW´s last blog ..Soban =-.
Great photos as always
I’m surprised there was so much food, I guess I was late so I only got about two bites of food 
But they were definitely good tasting bites!
.-= Steph´s last blog ..Ripples at Sydney Wharf, Pyrmont =-.
awesome pics billy! i was so sad i didnt get to try the quail egg!
.-= chocolatesuze´s last blog ..Chocolate bowls [8] =-.
Crazy good photos, really captures the mood of the place! I didn’t get to try quail egg either :s
.-= Howard´s last blog ..Seeds & Grain Baking Class, Brasserie Bread, Botany =-.
I don’t remember seeing half of these canapes, let alone eating them! But it was indeed fascinating to stand near the kitchen and watch the chefs plating up.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Summer Holiday =-.
I don’t remember most of these canapes at all? Was it a part of the first few waves that I’d missed out on for coming a little late or they really did move by fast and just not noticed them.
Nice work with the photos, though it almost seems redundant to have to say so. What few canapes I had at the relaunch were nice.
Seems like I missed out on many of these canapes too :S but at least you got them so I can stare and drool mmmm
.-= FFichiban´s last blog ..Lunch Food Crawl with Ladyironchef and The Ninja =-.
Escargot delicious. Everything looks amazing. This is the first I have heard of La Grillade. I will definately be checking it out.
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..Crispy Pata and CP Nights.. =-.
It’s all so gorgeous. The seared tuna looks especially pretty
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Chocolate Delice =-.
*sigh* beautiful.
.-= Yas @ hungry.digital.elf´s last blog ..Oroshi Tofu Steak =-.
this place sure serves beautiful food! i’d love to have a whole bag full of lemon curd tarts please
.-= diva´s last blog ..Love for Lemon: Ottolenghi Lust & Lemon Lime Cream Truffles =-.