The Estelle in Northcote from chef and restaurateur Scott Pickett has been wowing diners for a while now. It was one of those special occasion restaurants, one where you take out-of-towners to impress them, or your better half on your anniversary. It was stunning. But not a place for every day. In true Melbourne style at the moment, Estelle has re-launched itself as Estelle Bistro, a place where you can have the best of both worlds. A five course degustation menu, or a glass of wine and a quick bite to eat. You can also go straight down the line with entree, main, and dessert.
With a variety of dishes on offer, you can start with a few oysters, the Batemans Bay Moonlight Kisses, or the Pacific from Coffin Bay. Moving along, head to the snack section for a salt cod croquette or maybe the pork jowl served with red cabbage and milk bread. The charcuterie section is a thing of greatness with wagyu bresola, Iberico de Belotta Jamon, and Foie Gras parfait with pickled cucumbers.
If you want to go down the traditional path you can hit up the entrees, king salmon, horseradish, and nashi, or the heritage tomatoes, Burrata, and black garlic. Mains look like the cauliflower and tallegio risotto, or the Diamond Valley pork with cider, and Boudin Noir. Desserts have always shone at The Estelle. And they still do. For a cheesy ending go for the Ported Cropwell Bishop Stilton from England, or if sweet if your thing the chocolate and honeycomb is served with gold leaf. Just a little bit fancy.
There are around 20 wines by the glass with only the champagne tipping the scales over the $20 mark with the NV Charpentier ‘Brut’ from Charly-sur-Marne, France. For something closer to home reach for the 2013 The Story Marsanne/Roussanne/Viognier from the Grampians, Victoria, or the 2013 Fighting Gully Road Sangiovese from Beechworth.
The space has had a facelift as well with things a little more exposed brick and wood making it feel that little more homely. Keeping the open kitchen and bar seating from the old space. With seating for around 100 in all the spaces, we see this space filling up very quickly.
Come April 2015 Scott Pickett will be at it again opening Estelle by Scott Pickett right next door, watch this space.
Estelle Bistro
243 High Street, Northcote
(03) 9489 4609
www.estellebistro.com
