Senses | Templestowe | A Chronicle of Gastronomy

28 Nov Senses, Templestowe

Posted at 12:20h in Food, Mediterranean, Restaurants, Senses Restaurant and Bar, Templestowe by A Chronicle of Gastronomy 0 Comments

The quiet, leafy suburb of Templestowe isn’t exactly well known for being a foodie destination. Apparently locals are more likely to head to nearby suburbs like Eltham, but Senses is hoping to shake things up a bit.

Senses - Shirley Temple mocktail - Pineapple juice, lemonade, raspberry, passionfruit pulp ($7.95) — Shirley Temple mocktail - Pineapple juice, lemonade, raspberry, passionfruit pulp ($7.95)

Senses has been part of Templestowe Village for many years. After buying the property, the front section was expanded, and the windows can be pulled back to create an open frontage.

Senses - Saganaki, Lamb kibbi, Vegetarian kibbi on hummus chickpeas and pine nuts, Crab cakes, Duck spring roll, Zucchini and goat cheese fritters on a bed of skordalia, Calamari — Saganaki, Lamb kibbi, Vegetarian kibbi on hummus chickpeas and pine nuts, Crab cakes, Duck spring roll, Zucchini and goat cheese fritters on a bed of skordalia, Calamari

Senses - Duck spring roll, Saganaki, Lamb kibbi, Vegetarian kibbi on hummus chickpeas and pine nuts, Crab cakes, Zucchini and goat cheese fritters on a bed of skordalia, Calamari — Duck spring roll, Saganaki, Lamb kibbi, Vegetarian kibbi on hummus chickpeas and pine nuts, Crab cakes, Zucchini and goat cheese fritters on a bed of skordalia, Calamari

Our lunch starts with a taster plate of various entrees including zucchini and goats cheese fritters, saganaki and calamari. Everything is solid, but the lemony crab cakes and duck spring rolls particularly stand out, as well as the calamari with their peppery, citrus zing. The hummus is not too intense in flavour that it competes with the kibbi, and we like the extra bite that the scattering of pine nuts and chickpeas provides.

Senses - Whole de-boned barramundi w freekeh, wild rice, preserved lemon and strawberry salad — Whole de-boned barramundi w freekeh, wild rice, preserved lemon and strawberry salad

The seafood risotto comes complete with a crab shell on top. Though a little watery, it’s flavoursome and packed full of seafood treasures including prawns, scallops and various types of fish. We have another seafood dish as well; whole barramundi with freekeh, wild rice, sumac and strawberries. Having strawberries in a grain salad comes across as quite an unusual combination, but it’s one that adds not only colour but also extra freshness to the dish. The barramundi is handled well, and I especially like the combination of flavours and textures of its accompanying salad.

Senses - Red velvet chocolate mousse with crumble and honeycomb — Red velvet chocolate mousse with crumble and honeycomb

The red velvet chocolate mousse concludes our generously portioned meal. It was hard to pick the red velvet part of the dish, but the mousse is smooth and rich, enjoyed with the crumble and home made honeycomb.

Senses is hoping to inject some groove to the food scene in Templestowe, both in their menu and plans for minor interior renovation. Their new express lunch sounds like a great deal too.

Disclaimer: I was invited to Senses as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time

Senses
124 James Street
Templestowe, VIC, 3106
(03) 9846 5211
sensesrestaurantbar.com.au

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28 Nov Senses, Templestowe

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