The winter menu launch for Straits Cafe

Recently Jeremy and I were invited by the lovely Natasha from Rendezvous Hotel in Scarborough to attend the hotel's relaunch. It was a great night celebrating with delicious food, drinks and the lovely revamped hotel to explore.

Following on from this, a second invitation was extended to us to attend Straits Cafe inside Rendezvous for a dinner where we would get to taste the new winter menu. We already had plans for that night as a proper end of exams celebration for my boy (even though we'd already had one celebration at Bread in Common - but I'm claiming that as my celebration night for the job change/30 under 30 news) - but we were happy to have Straits Cafe as our destination.

Roses to cheer up the winter's night

The weather was rainy and traffic horrid, meaning we arrived a little bit late for dinner which meant we weren't off to a great start! Luckily for us, it was all upwards from there. Since the others were finishing up dining on canapés upstairs, Jeremy and I made our way to the dining table in the restaurant to enjoy a glass of wine. Before long the rest of the group were with us and we all settled in chatting like old friends. It was lovely to meet fellow food blogger Amanda from The Chef, His Wife and their Perthfect Life and her hubby.

Matthew and Natasha are our hosts for the evening, and we get a quick introduction to the Head Chef too before diving into the winter menu. There's so much to choose from - and we're pleased to find out that we can choose our own entrees and mains, before relocating to the Lobby Bar for dessert after.

Truffle popcorn

We place our orders, and then while waiting (and in between chatting - about food naturally!) we munch on truffle popcorn. Yum! What a light but tasty snack - crunchy and with a good smack of truffle flavour to bring the popcorn to a different level.

Twice cooked pork belly

Twice cooked pork belly

For Jeremy's entree, he chooses the twice cooked free range pork belly ($23) which comes with seared scallops and sits atop a honey and cinnamon infused pumpkin puree. It's one of the gluten free offerings they have available, which it's nice to see that they cater for different dietary requirements.

The pork belly is cooked perfectly. Soft meat and crisp top, it's juicy and utterly moorish. I love the combination of pork and scallops, and even better from that sweet pumpkin. I really like the plating and the actual plates themselves - modern without being pretentious.

Chorizo croquettes

Chorizo croquettes

Chorizo croquettes

For my entree I pick the chorizo croquettes ($16) which come to the table atop a spiced cauliflower puree and garnished with sweet potato crisps. This and the pork belly definitely are the two most ordered dishes down the table!

The croquettes are different to your more standard ones that have cheese throughout. These instead let the soft potato and delicious chorizo shine. The outside is crunchy, the inside fluffy. It's a really yummy start to our dinner, and I know at that point I'm really excited for the mains if the entrees are telling enough.

Roast duck breast

Roast duck breast

When our mains come to the table, I can see there's an array of dishes selected. The beef cheek on polenta looks to die for, as does the over roasted lamb rump.

Jeremy chooses the roast duck breast ($39) which is accompanied by grilled asparagus, pangrattato, kipfler and shallot & agrumes dressing. The dish is simple but tasty, with the duck lovely and pink in the centre. It's not crispy skinned like he'd hoped but the meat is tender so he doesn't mind.

I love the little pile of breadcrumbs to dip the meat in, which works well with the citrusy dressing that coats the ingredients on the plate.

Risotto

Risotto

For my main I'm quick to choose the braised south west lamb and forrest mushroom risotto ($34) which has shaved asparagus and truffle oil.

Yum. It's such a hearty and rich risotto - very different to your standard style. The meat is completely falling apart and flavoursome, with the rice having that lovely plump and creamy consistency. What I love is the earthiness of the mushrooms countering with the saltiness of the parmesan. And of course, those beautiful shavings of asparagus which look like the vegetable has been wound through a pencil sharpener. Cute!

Of all the servings down the table, mine is definitely the largest whereas Jeremy's was one of the smaller since it was mainly meat. I end up waving a flag of defeat and he dives in, commenting immediately how delicious it is. I would definitely order this again.

Peppermint tea

Feeling sated and warm in my belly despite the howling wind outside, I could have stopped there. The servings were a really great size! And considering I've had an awful chest infection for the last week and been unable to eat as much as usual, this was a big meal. But as I always say, dessert is a separate stomach!

We all make our way over to the Lobby Bar where digestifs, coffee and tea are ordered. I opt for a peppermint tea and the boy chooses a flat white. Just the thing to have with dessert and to round out our night.

Chocolate fondant

Dessert for the evening is a showcase of three bite size treats. First up for me to try is the los scones origin dark chocolate fondant (normally on their menu with vanilla bean ice-cream and coffee sauce for $15).

It's rich and gooey - just the way a fondant should be. I love how it's only just cooked, yielding to my spoon with ease and satisfying every chocolate craving I could have.

Toasted marshmallow

I didn't try the spoon with the custard and toasted marshmallow but it looked very sweet and warming. Jeremy said that the custard had a bit of a citrus flavour to it.

Mandarin and meringue

The third dessert provided is also from the Straits Cafe winter menu - mandarin with coconut marscapone cream, meringue, candied orange and citrus gel ($16). The little jar version is adorable! I love mandarin in desserts and they're in season now which makes them even more enticing - sweet, plump and juicy. The ultimate yum!

Dessert time

Dessert time

A big thank you to Natasha, Matt and the team at Rendezvous Scarborough for the invitation to their Straits Cafe winter menu launch. We left very, very full and very, very happy!