Absynthe Restaurant Blog

Our Absynthe Restaurant Blog provides insights and updates from the world of hospitality. We will highlight and share our activity in the kitchen, the bar and the restaurant as well as delving deep into our extensive cellar.

1.12.09

Bubble on Cove NOW OPEN

Meyjitte Bougenought of Absynthe Restaurant has added a third business to his name with the opening of Bubbles on Cove, a European styled bottle shop/winebar at Sanctuary Cove.

Bubbles on Cove is a unique space created for patrons to purchase wine at competitive bottle shop prices with the added bonus and option to stay and enjoy their drinks in house at no extra cost. A light tapas menu is available at the in-house bar as well as an extensive range of award winning local Witches Chase Cheeses from Mount Tambourine.

Click HERE to read more.

29.9.09

Melbourne Cup Lunch Menu


The Melbourne Cup lunch menu has been decided! For $155 per person, the lunch includes the following:

To begin with...
Absynthe's Signature Cocktail - Sorbet infused with coriander, ginger, lime & Absynthe - then topped with light bubbly champagne.
The Soft Green Olive - A rare technique that fuses a variation of olives together and is encased in an edible bubble.
Red Radish with Blue Swimmer Crab

Entree
Lightly Cured Ocean Trout, Beetroot Raviolo & Goats Cheese
2008 Maritime Pinot Gris, Gippsland, VIC

Mains
Steamed Free-Range Chicken, Truffled Polenta & Smoked Tomatoes with 2007 Moondarra Castlefield Pinot Noir, Gippsland, VIC
OR
Pan Fried Wild Barramundi, Saffron Potato & Lobster Bisque with 2008 Narkoojie Lily Grace Chardonnay, Gippsland, VIC

Dessert
Warm Chocolate Fondant with Red Berry Marmalade & Red Berry Sorbet with 2008 Torbreck, The Bothie, Barossa Valley, S.A

To make a booking please contact Absynthe on (07) 5504 6466

22.9.09

Craggy Range Dinner

This month Absynthe will be hosting a Craggy Range wine dinner in conjunction with well-known chef Philip Johnson. Philip's restaurant E'cco Bistro recently won the 2009 Restaurant & Catering Queensland (RCQ) Restaruant of the Year.

The Craggy Range wine dinner will on the 15th October and will consist of six courses, three prepared by each chef.

The dinner is $185 per person, including Craggy Range wine and an Abynthe cocktail given on arrival.

For more information contact the restaurant on:
Phone - (07) 5504 6466
Email - becomeaddicted@absynthe.com.au

Melbourne Cup Lunch

We are happy to annouce that Absynthe will be hosting a Melbourne Cup Luncheon for the event on Tuesday 3rd November.

The lunch will consist of a three-course meal, plus wine at $155 per person.
 
For more information contact the restaurant on:
Phone - (07) 5504 6466
Email - becomeaddicted@absynthe.com.au

25.8.09

Absynthe #37 in top 100 for Gourmet Traveller's 2010 Restaurant Guide



"Critical review carves gap between Brisbane restaurants"

"Although Sydney's and Melbourne's glamorous dining scenes have dominated the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2010 Restaurant Guide, released last night, Paddington's Montrachet and Surfers Paradise's Absynthe were each awarded two coveted chef hats.

The unique modern-take on French cuisine at Absynthe in the Q1 Tower secured the restaurant 37th place on the Gourmet Traveller's Top Restaurant 100 list, while Montrachet ranked 47th.
This year Absynthe and Montrachet climbed four and two places respectively on the prestigious list, while their competition staggered behind."


Australian Gourmet Traveller 2010 Restaurant Awards
- Official Website Announcement-



The top 100 ( click to see the full list) Absynthe are #37
Top 10 by Region ( click to see full list) Absynthe are #1 for Qld Regional
The Stars ( click to see full list) Absynthe was awarded 2 Stars.


"Stars are awarded to restaurants which we have found to be genuinely and consistently exceptional in their food, wine and hospitality. We award only 100 star ratings, so some restaurants which have previously held stars may have been edged out by others lifting their game or by newcomers. The three-star rating labels a restaurant as one of Australia's great restaurants, the equal of the world's best, and a destination in itself. Two stars makes an establishment a superior dining experience in all respects, worthy of a detour. One star means there is an element of pizzazz as well as professionalism which raises an eatery beyond the everyday."

We are of course all very happy about this result, and thank our hardworking team who make it possible!
Here's to another good dining year!


Meyjitte.

20.8.09

X-Rated Icecream doused with Absinthe



Ice cream doused in Absinthe!?




The Absinthe is administered from a drip bag into a pink water gun and fired at a heated sugar cube, which drops into the ice cream! Crazy stuff. Dubbed The Sex Pistol other ingredients include ginkgo biloba, arginine and guarana—all guaranteed to increase blood flow and energy level.

Normal ice cream it is not...The Sex Pistol is x-rated gelato by The Icecreamists and is touted to have the same charge as a dose of Viagra. Hence this particular ice cream cocktail is marketed at men.

The ice cream name: The Sex Pistol
The company making it: http://www.theicecreamists.com/
Available: London
Cost: GBP 11.99
Why we like it? because we share a love of all things Absinthe

16.6.09

New Developments

We are excited to annouce some new developments.








  • Meyjitte is opening a new Wine Bar at Sactuary Cove called, "Bubbles on Cove". Our lips are currently sealed, but we will provide you with more information shortly.

  • We will also be launching a new pizzeria at Paradise Point, called "Godmothers Pizza", which will be opened to the public in September!






Absynthe at the EKKA


This year the Absynthe patisserie will be at the EKKA! For five star quality sweets, head over to the Woolworths pavillion, next to Merlo Coffee for Absynthe's patisserie goods, during the 6-15 August. Don't miss out!

Favourite French Bakeries

The French are some of the best bakery chefs in the world.
I am listing some of my favourite French bakeries, so if you are ever in France make sure you pop in and try some of their gourmet breads and treats.

Pain d'Epis is just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower. They have developed a name for their top-class baguettes and loaves.

Au 140 have countless awards to their name. They were the offical supplier to the presidential palace in 2001 and its baguette was named the best in Paris the same year. Au 140 is in Northeast Paris and features a large selection of organic breads.

Le Notre's window displays feature exquisite desserts such as opera (a dense chocolate cake) and fraisier (sponge cake with strawberries). This bakery is definitely a must see!

Serene

I just wanted to introduce Serene, which is owned by a friend of mine.
Serene has recently opened up at Sanctuary Cove. They have some fabulous imported designer shoes, from high quality brands such as, Versace, Oliver Sweeney, We R Replay, Just Cavalli, Class by Roberto Cavalli, Roberta Scarpa and Dolce & Gabbana.
Address - Shop 6, 7 Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove, QLD
Phone - (07) 55 779 747

Wine Knowledge and Tasting Tips

It is important appreciate wine with food as much as it is to appreciate wine on its own.
I must warn you though that my suggestions may be a bit controversial and out of the norm, but this is the way I appreciate food.

For an entree of soup I would suggest accompanying it with a nutty wine, like a Sherry or Spanish wine. A good example is Cauliflower and Scallop soup served with a Spanish wine. If for some reason Sherry or Spanish wine are not an option, then it is best to have no wine at all with your soup dish.

Duck dishes are commonly matched with Pinot Noir, but for me, I think that match is overused and ridiculous. I would recommend a heavier wine, either red or white.

When enjoying cheese, red wine is normally the recommended option. I prefer white wine personally as I see it very complimentary and it will always be my preference and recommendation to my diners.

For any 'cheesy' dishes on the menu, my number one match is a great Chardonnay. It blends well with everything cheesy, for example a cheese risotto is perfectly paired with a rich Chardonnay.

Again, quite the contrary, when it comes to Fish dishes white wine is not always the answer. I would suggest you drink whatever wine you prefer with your Fish and you should also take into consideration how the Fish is cooked i.e in an Asian sauce, rich creamy Italian sauce, freshly grilled with salad or cold with other seafood. All of these things would determine what wine you drink with the fish dish. Fish and wine matches vary so much, it is difficult to make any one suggestion.

Vegetarian food is perfectly matched with a great Champagne, because of the lightness of the wine and the airy-ness of the bubbles. Vegetarian food is a perfect match for a light, fresh, zesty Champagne. Both are clean tasting and light, vegetarian dishes which include tofu, egg and fresh vegetables in particular are best serves with bubbles.

Lastly, the perfect dessert drink in my opinion is indeed a beer! Dessert wines have their place indeed however, I love serving beer with a dessert such as a carrot and lemon ravioli . And by beer I mean a small glass of beer - not a pint!

14.5.09

Restaurant Service Standards

I am very particular about restaurant service standards and always have been. Here are a few things I think are ESSENTIAL for good restaurant service.
  1. Good phone reception ( when guests make an enquiry or booking) be pleasant, informative and helpful. First impressions are the most important thing.
  2. Personalise the service if the guest is a regular. Learn and remember what the guest has and impress them with it.Knowing their favourite drink, seating location, dish etc. will make them feel special and valued.
  3. Staff education needs to be continual. Staff must know about EVERYTHING that is on the menu. This is important for allergies and general guest education. All service staff must be educated and be able to recommend food+wine matches with each dish.
  4. Attentiveness. Be aware of customers reactions and body language. I don't feel there is any need to continuously ask the diners 'how their meal is going'.You will know if it is not right. It will be obvious - then ask, otherwise I suggest leaving the guests to enjoy their meal. Return of course when they are finished to offer the next course etc. If you feel a customer wants more interaction , then of course do your best to provide it.
  5. Intuition. I like staff who can read customers needs. It is about being aware and looking at the big picture - reading people and anticipating their needs before they have to ask for it.
  6. Knowledge of wine. Not everyone has an extensive knowledge of wine however someone within the establishment should. If there is a tricky question from a customer, have the most knowledgeable person answer it. Do not pretend to know, it will be obvious.
  7. Good service is not about the best service skills as a result of top level training, it is a combination of the right personality, attentiveness, skill, knowledge and attitude. Having the right attitude is imperative, the customer will know if a staff member would rather be elsewhere - regardless of their level skills. They read our body language just as much as we read theirs.
  8. White linen or bare tables? Service does not change nor should it with or without the 'fine dining' label or on the decor of a venue. I believe service should hold the same principles regardless the venue. Of course low key/ casual venues will have slightly tailored staff and products, but customers deserve a well trained service person with a good attitude.
  9. Venue identity. Customers like to see someone in charge within a venue. Whether it be the Chef, Owner or Manager. They like to feel comfortable in knowing someone is 'in charge'. It is even better if the chef makes the time to speak to customers if the situation is right. It ads some personality to the dining experience.

There are a few things I like to see in regards as 'good service'. There are many more but I rate these ones at the top of my list.


Absynthe Blog is LIVE

Absynthe Blog is up an running! Our new website is also well on the way to being completed. We are focussing on interacting with our customers this year and becoming more available and are embracing all we can with social media. We love customer feedback and also sharing our knowledge, information and what we are passionate about. Enjoy!