25 Jul Prix Fixe, Melbourne CBD

Phillippa Sibley’s new venture is a fixed price (hence the name), ticketed restaurant – apparently the first of its kind in Melbourne. Places are booked and paid for in advance online, though walk-ins are welcome if there’s space to accommodate. We visited for lunch, which is $49 for 2 courses and a glass of wine. Once at the restaurant, the meal can be upgraded to a 3-course lunch for $65.Their 4-course dinner for $79. Apart from the set menu, this month they were offering freshly shucked oysters and an optional cheese course.

This month’s menu follows the theme of Vive La France and we squeezed in for the second last lunchtime that this menu is available.

Following on from the delicious bread, our entree of Oeufs Bourguignon was served. The gooey, translucent, red wine-poached egg was a delight to eat and the flavour combinations of the lardons, garlic, escargot, beurre rouge, nettle puree and champignons were amazing. All of this was particularly wonderful on top of the crusty bread. We did wish there was more bread to eat with it, though it may have disrupted the symmetry of the plate.

Canard A L’Orange – Duck Confit en Brik, Roasted Duck Breast, Citrus, Green Peppercorns, Caramelised Witlof

Paris Mash

The main course of Canard A L’Orange consisted of confit duck leg wrapped in brik pastry, roasted duck breast, citrus and green peppercorn sauce, orange segments and caramelised witlof. It was also accompanied by beautifully creamy Paris mash to share. I was glad to find that the sauce wasn’t overly acidic or sweet and didn’t taste too strongly of citrus; it complemented the duck very well. I especially loved the crispy brik pastry and tasty confit contained within.

We did decide to upgrade one of our meals to try the dessert – Laissez-les Manger Gateau (meaning, ‘Let Them Eat Cake’). The simple exterior of the cake was cut open to reveal quite an interesting and exciting multi-layered interior. I forget what all the layers were, but they included ladyfingers, passionfruit and chocolate mousse. This was topped with a very light and refreshing almond milk sorbet then sprinkled with gold dust.

The set menu changes monthly so there’s always something new to try, which is just as well because with food of this standard, return visits would be a most pleasurable adventure.

Prix Fixe
Alfred Place
90 Collins St
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
http://www.prixfixe.com.au/