Park Hyatt Melbourne is currently in an unusual position that it does not have a signature restaurant, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fabulous meal, as they have positioned The Lounge & Garden in the lobby level with a crafted menu to cater for guests and walk-ins that are looking for a refined wine and dine experience.
The main body of The Lounge & Garden layout is a sunken lounge with a warm ambience, sectioned off from the main lobby thoroughfare with balustrades in the cosmopolitan mix of Art Deco and modern interiors and set against a serene outdoor setting surrounded by greenery that has created a private haven to chill which is ideal for afternoon tea.
In the centre is a display table offering a good selection of curated wines which looks quite elegant for its presentation. They clothe tables at the far end with white linen to give a sense of a more sophisticated setting approach which delineates the dining section from the rest of the lounge - formal yet causal - to welcome their guests. The only caveat is that yes, it is the lobby lounge at one end of the hotel foyer, so passing traffic is to be expected yet it does have a sense of occasion.
A dinner reservation was arranged and we were warmly greeted and seated to a table by the window looking out to the garden by Carolin, our server in the evening who walked us through the menu and wine list and had an opportunity to display her excellent product knowledge and professionalism that was most welcome.
To our delight Carolin suggested that we begin with a glass of Dom Pérignon 2015 vintage which seemed like a perfect way to kick off the evening while we perused the menu. The menu is not huge and yet more of a mixed Bistro slash modern contemporary Italian with a thoughtfully curated selection of dishes that prioritize seasonal and often local ingredients and offer a specific balance of flavours as well as visual appeal, thanks to their culinary team and artistic vision helmed by Chef Dane Clouston. Carolin suggested some wines to pair with our choices which was a relief as the enormous curated and enlisted wines were definitely alien to some yet with a reasonable price point allocated and we were delighted to defer to her knowledge and they all hit the spot.
<Green Olives with Red Harissa Dressing & Sourdough>
A good light appetizer to enlighten the vintage bubbles! Huge olives soaked in the chunky red harissa dressing that was piquant and overall so delicious and the accompaniment of the charred artisanal light sourdough was simply divine.
<Beef Empanada with Green Sauce>
There is nothing like hot, fresh empanadas straight from the oven! Crispy and flaky crust on the outside baked until golden brown, well seasoned juice beef filing inside. EPIC! The green sauce was a piquant accompaniment but you could just enjoy the puff on its own. It was paired with the aromatic and fruity 2021 Tasmanian Meadowbank Blanc de Noirs sparkling with fine and persistent bubbles crafted in the Derwent Valley. Nicely done!
<Wagyu Beef Bresaola>
As for entrée, the generous serving of the beef wasn’t just any old beef but a Marble 9 Score Stone Axe which means one of the best from the premium meat purveyor Victor Churchill in New South Wales. The creamy texture and the flavour of the beef and its provenance was not to be denied. The accompanying ripe figs and Cabernet dressing were the perfect foil to give a counterbalance and texture. A must order!
<Yellowfin Tuna Crudo>
The Yellowfin Tuna Crudo sits on a base of avocado and garnished with grapefruit and radish mixture on top that gives a colorful presentation together with crispy wonton crackers on the side. It was a delightful rendition to be savoured on every bite for its chunky, creamy and meaty palate together with all the condiments of each ingredient that played an essential part that was a stand out. The overall flavour was simply unctuous and utterly delicious! We were poured a glass of Jo Landron’s La Louvetrie Muscadet Sèvre et Maine from the Loire Valley for its dry, crisp and citrusy note that worked beautifully with the tuna.
<Chicken Cotoletta>
Our first main came with a super generous portion of Chicken Cotoletta. This classic Italian dish was coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, shallow-fried until golden brown and crispy. This chicken cutlet, similar to a schnitzel and almost a Japanese Tonkatsu is known for its tender and juicy meat inside and light and crispy outside. Despite the meat being a little salty - part of the seasoning process in the kitchen - it still brings a smile to your face and well garnished with cherry tomatoes and served with a side of tangy Celeriac Remoulade salad. Don’t forget to squeeze the fresh lemon on the chicken to enhance the flavour. The Spanish Candea Monterrei Denominación de Origen with a blend of Treixadura, Doña Blanca, and Verdelho offers a vibrant bouquet of ripe citrus, fruity and waxy notes for a long and savoury finish with pleasant, slightly bitter notes was well paired.
<500g Copper Tree Farms 36 Month Grass-Fed Hereford Dry Aged Rib Eye>
Another highlight from the Grill Menu is this beautiful piece of grass-fed rib-eye garnished with fresh watercress. Although a little bit sinewy, the quality of the meat is not to be denied and extremely flavourful and well seasoned and delectable.The ubiquitous French Fries with truffle and Parmesan together with the Ramarro Farm Green Leaf Salad were an enjoyable accompaniment. To round off this artisanal beef experience, Peppercorn Sauce, Cafe de Paris Butter, Wholegrain Mustard, Horseradish also offer an alternative dimension on the palate to savour this premium cut of meat. We enjoyed a refined glass of 2021 Rockford “Basket Press” Shiraz for its full-bodied, earthy tannins, savory complexity and intensity which was perfectly paired with the beef.
Tempted as we were, we had no room for dessert, but Carolin insisted us to savour the home-made pomegranate sorbet as a palate cleanser which added a pleasant end to the evening. Her service was pretty switched on and the suggested wines were well paired with our food. There were too many dishes that took our eye and we had enjoyed every single course and probably had more than we should and we were not disappointed. We did initially find the lobby setting a bit distracting, but that niggle disappeared once we settled in. It wasn’t a busy night and also not that noisy to enjoy a very pleasant dinner.
Another added bonus for The Lounge & Garden is their afternoon High Tea. This classically elegant affair three tiered stand high tea set can well be elevated with a selection of French Champagne or Australian premium sparkling of your choice to kick off the proceedings.The blend of teas on offer was also in good selection and we particularly liked the fragrant French Earl Grey tea.
The choice of four sandwiches ticked all our favourites: Chicken, Avocado & Tarragon; Spiced Egg, Mayonnaise & Watercress; Smoked Salmon, Dill & Cucumber; and Country Ham, Pickles, Swiss Cheese & Mustard. Honestly, the combinations and textures meant that every bite was a joy and judged perfectly.
There were three savouries: Wagyu Bresaola, Green Apple, Black Olive Jam & Chervil; Sausage Roll with Tomato Relish; and Spanner Crab & Salmon Roe. The Wagyu Bresaolo was the standout for us, as the beef was in premium quality and the combination of the green apple, black olive jam and chervil just added a tart piquancy that we loved. The Sausage Roll pastry could have been more flaky but the taste was on point and the Spanner Crab was a welcome counterpoint to the richness of the other two.
The scones were slightly moist and still warm when brought to the table and they were quite delicious and not crumbly like some can be. There was a plethora of artisanal jams to choose from – six in all – which was more than necessary, but why not and delicious tastes to enjoy!
Lastly, the Petit Gateau section that everyone hangs out for: Ombre Chocolate & Exotic Cube; Raspberry & Chrysanthemum Tartlet; and Blueberry & Lemon Verbena Gateau. The beauty of this selection was that they were all light and airy, but full of delicate and memorable mousse-y flavours, so not as filling as some can be and allowing you to enjoy every bite without the guilt of leaving heavy in the stomach. The culinary team had put in their most passionate effort to offer you their signature High Tea experience for you to enjoy an elegant afternoon escape, full of colour and flavours.
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