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2014-04-13
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I'd always noticed the crowds and sounds of laughter that came from 121BC the few times I happened to walk past Peel Street on a weekend --- and now I know the reason.The menu at 121BC changes daily, based on what is freshest and in season. Dishes are designed for sharing, and for a party of two like us, we were recommended to order 3-4 dishes. For those interested in trying a wider selection (or simply plagued with indecisiveness), the restaurant also provides an 8-dish "Banquet Menu", which li
The menu at 121BC changes daily, based on what is freshest and in season. Dishes are designed for sharing, and for a party of two like us, we were recommended to order 3-4 dishes. For those interested in trying a wider selection (or simply plagued with indecisiveness), the restaurant also provides an 8-dish "Banquet Menu", which like a Japanese omakase, consists of dishes selected by the chef. We opted for this latter option.
We began the meal with Homemade Ricotta, Asparagus, Peas, Preserved Lemon, which was also served with homemade focaccia. This was a delightfully well balanced dish - the acidity and sourness of the lemon marinade complemented the creamy, smooth ricotta, whilst the asparagus also added crunch to the combination. The soft, slightly seasoned focaccia was also the perfect vessel to transport all this.
This was quickly followed by Roast Parsnip, Goat Cheese, Kale, Raisin. I was initially a bit wary about having another cheese dish so soon, but quickly realised the goat cheese played just a small, albeit important, part in this item. The parsnips definitely stole the spotlight - roasted till a soft consistency, they maintained a natural sweetness, which the saltier flavours of the goat cheese helped elevate. The kale in this dish was prepared in such a way that it was crispy, and added another dimension of texture to the dish.
The last of our "appetiser" dishes was the Octopus, Chickpea, Pepper Olive. We were impressed with how tender the octopus was, and wondered whether it had been perhaps, massaged like the octopus featured in "Jiro Dreams of Sushi". We also liked how the chickpeas were soft, but not mushy.
Moving on to our "main courses", we began with the Caramelised Lamb Ribs, Orange, Caraway. I was secretly hoping this would be included, and I was not disappointed. The lamb had a sweet, crisp exterior finishing (as the name promised) but the meat was still moist and tender, to the extent that it fell off the bone. Although the greens on the side were just an accompaniment, they were still evidently fresh and just very lightly and carefully seasoned. This attention to detail was a theme that carried through the dinner.
Next, we had the Gnocchi Al Pesto. The gnocchi were fluffy and smooth, and the pesto also had a very rich pine nut taste. Simplicity at its best.
Finally, we were served the Roast Suckling Pig and Chicory, Rocket, White Balsamic, Almond, Pear. The roasted suckling pig was another dish I was interested in trying, and it ended up being one of my favourite dishes of the evening. I felt it embodied all the elements of a great roasted suckling pig - crispy crackling, a thin layer of flavourful fat (which you could still chew, given it had not disintegrated into a mushy oily mess) and meat that was juicy and tender. The salad of chicory and rocket was a nice, light companion to the suckling pig, and I was particularly impressed with how sweet and crunchy the almonds were.
Dessert was the Chocolate Tart, Ricotta Cream. The dark chocolate ganache filling was creamy, rich and indulgent - and would surely satisfy the cravings of any chocoholic. The ricotta cream helped lighten the flavour and ensure the chocolate would not become too overwhelming. However, what impressed me most was the pastry - despite the heavy creaminess of the ganache filling, the pastry managed to maintain an individual character of its own, remaining crisp and flaky despite the weight atop it.
The "Banquet Menu" goes for $400 a head, which is truly a bargain in view of the quality and size of the dishes. The service was also excellent and the staff went to great lengths to ensure everyone was comfortable and having a great time.Eight dishes originally sounded a bit daunting - but when it was over, I was disappointed to see it end! I guess I'll definitely be heading to Peel Street more from now on.
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