PapaGoose

91-93 Flinders Lane

Melbourne, 3000

03 9663 2800

Normally I would not be able to enjoy the luxuries of having lunch in the city mid week. But being rostered on for weekends, this was my chance to indulge in a $30 lunch special including mains, sides of mash or salad, glass of wine and tea or coffee. This special price is available Tuesday to Friday 12-3pm.

Bottom Right: Drinks around the table ? Shiraz, pinot gris, peroni draught

The dim-ambient lighting provides a visible contrast to the brightly illuminated kitchen. If only the windows were set much lower so one can better see all the excitement behind the scenes. A rectangular spiral staircase at the rear leads up to a bar and private dining upstairs, parading a beautiful long dining table. I note also that the walls inside the WC were plastered with a soothing pattern of monotonous text, which on closer look is actually of political propaganda…

Slow roasted lamb shoulder ? was the first thing that caught my eyes, no doubt a residual craving having seen but not tasted the lamb shoulder at said location. It is melt in your mouth tender, with a nutty caramelised exterior. Mmmm, too good to share! It is served with pumpkin, peas, baby carrots, dates, crunchy seeds and a stomach warming savoury stock.

Hopkins river rump ? This was a ginormous hunk of steak, even for the voracious Ms SM. Unfortunately this was a slight let down compared with the lamb, being not particularly tender. It is simply seasoned, and served with a fresh selection of celeriac, savoy cabbage, watercress, radish and finished with a red wine sauce.

Huon ocean trout ? the delicate pink flesh of trout alongside the citrus hues of orange are visually delightful. It is served with fennel, celery, orange and chervil.

Sides ? mash potato + garden salad

With coffee still to go? ordering dessert was incredibly tempting despite being quite satisfied. So, 2 to share between 5 people surely isn’t too excessive is it?

Coffee / tea – Latte, cappuccino, piccolo latte, English breakfast tea, mocha? My latte was of decent strength, with lovely foaming.

Eskimo’s pie ? being much raved about since its opening, it was definitely a must try! It comes to the table as a tower of cold blocks of ice cream stacked with chocolate wafers and a sweet toffee tuile. The waitress then pours over a small mug of hot running chocolate. Drool!!! Though the theatrics does win it some extra points, it is a little rough on the edges ? tuile a little burnt, wafers a little too hard.

White chocolate pannacotta ? is a smooth creamy deconstruction of vanilla pannacotta that comes without the wobbly jelly-like character of set-pannacotta. It is complemented by sour fruit elements poached, frozen in sorbet and dehydrated in a sprinkle of soil. Refreshingly delish!

Rating: yummy, almost +1. I’d return for the lamb shoulder, although I’m still pining for the lamb shoulder a few shops down at Cumulus ? so maybe there first! There are a definitely a few hit and miss elements, but overall a pleasant dining experience all for $30, well not including our small splurge on dessert.

P.S. NEVER be lazy and park on street in the city on a weekday. Grrr… more expensive parking than lunch!

You may also like: Charcoal Lane, Maze, St Peter’s, Provenance food & wine.