Monday, 28 May 2012

I Love You Oscar W


Is it possible to fall totally in love with a restaurant?  If it is – I have.  It is true love!
A couple of years ago two friends of mine, both chefs, introduced me to Oscar W and it was love at first sight.

Overlooking the Murray River in Echuca, Victoria, Oscar W sits high on the riverbank next to Echuca’s famous Red Gum Wharf and Port of Echuca’s paddle steamer fleet. The views of the mighty Murray are simply beautiful – calming, peaceful, tranquil.

Inside the restaurant, the red gum grill and deck bar areas are also beautiful.  The creators of Oscar W have used recycled timbers, galvanised iron and stainless steel.  There is a huge open fireplace that mesmerises you as you sit on the antique lounges which create such a comforting experience.  It’s so lovely that you don’t want to leave.







The Age Good Food Guide 2012 awarded Oscar W with a prestigious Chefs Hat.  This was an honor well and truly deserved.

When I recently returned to my love, Oscar W, I walked in and noticed there was a blackboard out the front that said “Deluxe food, lush wine, great coffee, awesome views”.  This is 100% correct. Eight words is all it takes to best describe this place.

Oscar W has an all-day menu to enjoy at the bar, a lunch menu and a dinner menu.   On this occasion two colleagues and I enjoyed a sample of the lunch menu.  We sat by the window, sun beaming through the glass as we overlooked the water and the bush land surrounding it.

As a starter we ordered the ‘grilled flatbread and dips – beetroot and apple, pumpkin and feta, rocket and pine nut’ ($16.50).  The flatbread is house made and grilled on the red gum grill – it is purely divine.  It is thicker than usual for a flatbread and lightly salted.  The dips were also delicious, the freshness and flavors were very well balanced.  I particularly enjoyed the beetroot and apple and the pumpkin and feta.








The next course was quite difficult to decide.  So many options including vegetarian and gluten free dishes. From the small plates section I went with the ‘Fish Cakes – romesco sauce, truffled coddled egg, avocado salsa ($19.80) with a side dish of ‘Chickpeas fried, harissa, radicchio, and orange’ ($8).  The fish cakes were perfectly cooked – they almost melted in my mouth.  The flavor was delicate not too fishy or overpowering and the sweetness of the avocado salsa made a perfect pairing.








The fried chickpeas had a bitter sweet sensation of flavor which via the orange and radicchio was very complimentary to the chickpeas and harissa.  This was an excellent side dish something different to the norm.  Both dishes were well supported by a crisp floral glass of sauvignon blanc.  The perfect lunch.

My colleagues ordered and thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Prime Australian Beef – “minute steak” (150 gram cooked medium) with roasted tomato, confit garlic, potato gratin, red wine jus ($27) and ‘Crispy Pork Belly, baked scallops, corn puree, agro dolce, apple slaw ($22.50).  I can’t expand any further on these dishes as they were not prepared to share and let me sample!







Our waiter was one of the three managers of Oscar W.  He was excellent.  He managed the floor solo serving around ten tables and giving each one the perfect amount of time, attention and conversation.  Very impressive Liam.

It is well worth the trip to visit Oscar W.  It is positively the jewel in the crown for Echuca.  The next time I visit to continue my love affair it will be for dinner – I can hardly wait.

Food – 9/10
Service – 9/10
Ambiance – 10/10

www.oscarws.com.au



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