Be nice, and share

There's a moment that always happens when I'm dining out with a group of people. It happens when the meals arrive, after I've checked out what everybody else has ordered and decided I want to try them all.

It involves me trying to bully others (some very unwilling) to give me some of their food to try. I'm not greedy, I always offer a bite of mine to eat in return. But some people are not interested in what's on other people's plates. They like to keep their's to themselves - capitalist style. Clearly, I'm a commie at heart.

This is why I'm attracted to the idea of dégustation. This French term means "a careful, appreciative tasting of various foods". You don't pick anything from the menu. Instead, the chef designs a range of small courses to illustrate their skill in the kitchen and the best of that season's produce.

On Saturday, I had the dégustation menu at Jacques Reymond in Prahran. It was a flavour sensation and painfully beautiful in presentation.

There were some absolute standouts:
- lemongrass, spinach and rock lobster soup
- a barramundi steak that was caramelised on top with almond and came with an addictive flavoured yoghurt
- venison carpaccio
- both desserts

The first dessert was served in a tiny martini glass with layers of pineapple, passionfruit and banana, liquorice ice cream and honeycomb. The second was four tastes of chocolate that included a dark chocolate mousse I wanted to die for.

Jacques, if you can put out the mousse in a tub, I will eat it all in one sitting on my couch.
The service was lovely, and so was the private room we were seated in. I couldn't recommend this restaurant enough for a special occasion.

There's just one thing I find hard to get over when it comes to dégustation, and that's the serving size. I know, I know, you appreciate it because it is a little taste and that's why you can get through so many courses... but the glutton in me rails against tasting delicious somethings again and again and again without the satisfaction of a full stomach.