The perfect table consists of many elements combined seamlessly. Food, crockery, wine, glasses, service, water, ambience and setting. Many restauranteurs spend their lives endeavouring to weave the elements into the ideal experience. Few succeed, some make a good hash of it, others, it seems, don't even try. We have eaten at many tables and have developed a habit of picking at the seams of their efforts. So is it unfair that our first review is of Sam and Ayesha's table at Chateau Hungry Giggles? Not at all, as they presented five amazing courses on a seamless table. Well almost five courses, more of that later.
This table had its origins at Derby Hash House Harriers. The name of the Chateau is a combination of Sam and Ayesha's hash names. And we won the right to eat at the Chateau in a charity auction at Derby Hash. Sam and Ayesha donated the dining experience to the auction, we made the highest bid and the wet people of Queensland benefited from all of our generosity.
We were greeted on arrival with a bubbly drink and led to chairs at the outdoor bar, with a stunning view across the table to the marsh and the blazing Kimberley sunset.
We were greeted on arrival with a bubbly drink and led to chairs at the outdoor bar, with a stunning view across the table to the marsh and the blazing Kimberley sunset.
From the moment we arrived the service was ideal. The waitstaff took a keen interest in us and made us feel instantly comfortable. They managed to smash through the fine line of overfamiliarity and we were soon chatting as if we were best friends forever. Funny that.
With the arrival of our first course imminent, we were led to the beautifully set table with a candle on each corner twinkling against the fading sunset.
With the arrival of our first course imminent, we were led to the beautifully set table with a candle on each corner twinkling against the fading sunset.
The menu was a five course degustation with matching wines for each course, or thereabouts. An earthy organic cabernet sauvignon was carafed to accompany a luscious French onion soup. Perfectly caramalised onion fused with flavoursome stock to create a delicious broth. A chunky slice of dense home baked bread broke under the pressure of the spoon. Shaved gruyere draped lazily from the bread into the broth providing depth to the taste and aroma. An ideal and very tasty dish to start a French feast.
The bread made a welcome reappearance with the second course. Smothered with acreamy molten goat cheese, two pieces rested on a salad of baby spinach leaves and walnuts. A light, zesty red wine dressing completed a refreshing second course. This course was matched with an Oomoo shiraz, the spicy depth of the red a perfect counterpoint for the smooth, light dish.
Our hosts had clearly invested much thought into preparing a dining experience unrivalled in the Kimberley. Water glasses were kept full from a jug of cool water, essential for people quaffing wine in these humid climes, layered with cucumber slices. This added a refreshing melony flavour to this simple but crucial dining element.
Our hosts had clearly invested much thought into preparing a dining experience unrivalled in the Kimberley. Water glasses were kept full from a jug of cool water, essential for people quaffing wine in these humid climes, layered with cucumber slices. This added a refreshing melony flavour to this simple but crucial dining element.
The main course was a revelation and would be a welcome instructional dish for every restaurant in the Kimberley. Fillets of local barramundi, freshly sourced the Derby Wharf, were individually baked with lemon slices. Accompanied by a creamy mash and a light yet creamy herb sauce the plate was a delight to the eyes and the tastebuds. Local barramundi is too often battered or drowned in complexity. This simple dish displayed all the hallmarks of a chef confident in their mastery of a local delicacy. The fish was perfectly matched with New School, a fruity Margaret River SSB.
Coming after a triumvirate of beautiful dishes, dessert had a reputation to uphold. The duo of a berry tart and semi-freddo went beyond upholding the Chateau's reputation, enhancing what was already a delicious night. The berries sat atop a sweet tart, encased in a crust that had a beautiful balanced texture of crunch and crumble. The sweet tart and zesty berries combined perfectly. A rich mixture of cream and chocolate, the semi-freddo was an equal distraction to the tart. Not one of us managed to finish dessert, with each of our plates having equal portions of the tart and the semi-freddo left untouched.
Fifth course was to be a cheese platter. However, dinner was so good that even Cassy refused the cheese platter. And that is the only (partial) criticism of the night, that maybe the portions were too large. But even that is a compliment. We felt unable to refrain from finishing each course, even in the knowledge that fresh delights were yet to come.
When we were getting ready on our way out to this meal, we were commenting that it felt so unreal to be preparing for a traditional date. Getting dressed up for a gourmet dining experience is impossible in Derby. Even if there was a venue that qualified as fine dining, you would inevitably bump into half a dozen of the regular locals and the romantic night would be less than ideal. Chateau Hungry Giggles felt exactly like a romantic date at a fine restaurant. Sam and Ayesha presented the perfect table, and were such gracious hosts that they even left us alone at various moments during the night for a cheeky pash.
Romantic dining at its best!
When we were getting ready on our way out to this meal, we were commenting that it felt so unreal to be preparing for a traditional date. Getting dressed up for a gourmet dining experience is impossible in Derby. Even if there was a venue that qualified as fine dining, you would inevitably bump into half a dozen of the regular locals and the romantic night would be less than ideal. Chateau Hungry Giggles felt exactly like a romantic date at a fine restaurant. Sam and Ayesha presented the perfect table, and were such gracious hosts that they even left us alone at various moments during the night for a cheeky pash.
Romantic dining at its best!