Kellybrook Wines Degustation at The Eastern Golf Club
Being a foodie and golfer The World Loves Melbourne was excited to attend the Kellybrook Wines 7 Course Degustation at The Eastern Golf Club. This event showcased the exceptional top notch cuisine Head Chef, Glenn Townsend is producing for club members.
People have all sorts of mindsets about golf club cuisine. You might think pies, parmas and sandwiches and the odd beef cheek. The Eastern Golf Club has gone "all out" with its fresh and seasonal fare. Sure the menu includes a simple bacon and egg sandwich for the punters to imbibe after their round of golf - but its the damn best egg and bacon sandwich you'll find.
Having sampled the fare in over 600 Melbourne restaurants I can attest to the high standard of cuisine at The Eastern Golf Club. With 5 star Winery (James Halliday) Kellybrook Wines on hand this was a premium event. The Operations Manager Peter Vlahandreas is working wonders and has a passion, with the Board, to raise the bar on golfing facilities and cuisine.
Phil Kelly from Kellybrook Wines is an engaging winemaker who captivated guests with his stories and descriptions, where the wine matching in this degustation was exceptional. Here he is pictured with the infamous 99 year old Life Member Les Smith.
The degustation teed off with outstanding canapes including Smoked Salmon, black olive and creme fraiche.
Blue Swimmer crab with spring onion and snow peas was a superb and delicate dish, with a generous portion of crab. This paired wonderfully with the Kellybrook Riesling 2011.
Corn Crumbed Cuttlefish with green tomatoes, avocado, and dried shallots was the perfect match for the Kellybrook Sparkling Cider. The chef provided almost a Mexican take on a dish to pair with the famous Kellybrook Cider in using corn crumbs and rich fish. This is food with flair.
Wild Rabbit and Prosciutto Ballontine (below) was a crowd pleaser with wow factor. How often do you see rabbit on a menu? How often do you even see game on a menu? Hey, at the golf club!
Assiette of Duck featured pan seared breast, duck liver parfait, confit leg in Brik pastry, rillettes and spiced jus. Loads of flavour and technique here. Indeed this was an indulgent rich dish. I enjoyed the various elements of the duck and the contrasting textures.
Rhubarb and fried Creme Patissiere dessert with white chocolate mousse and vanilla meringue was presented artistically and the balance of the dish was wonderful. Hits of fruit and mousse and meringue delighted the punters.
A stunning degustation. All matched with sensational Kellybrook Wines.
By the way my favourite Kellybrook Wines are the Shiraz and the Cider. Wow!
Exciting things are happening at The Eastern Golf Club. Simply they have sold their Doncaster property for around $99 million and are building a Greg Norman designed Golf Course and facilities in the Yarra Valley, and will have over $20 million in the bank once the project is complete.
The Eastern Golf Club is currently constructing a pure golf (no residential or resort surrounding the course) 27 hole + 9 hole Par 3 Greg Norman Design Golf Course in Victoria’s world famous wine growing region, the Yarra Valley just 45 minutes from the CBD of Melbourne. The club will also host a suite of recreational facilities such as a gymnasium, tennis courts, 12km bush walking trails, mountain biking and fishing in the fresh water river that boarders their property.
In addition to golf and recreation The Eastern Golf Club also has 12 private, boutique cottages within a private precinct of the property which are currently operating.
These cottages are 4 ½ star rates and are fully self contained with large corner spas, kitchen, wood fire, panoramic windows over looking the Christmas Hills, Yarra Valley Range and the new golf course and large decks with barbeques. More information can be found at the website; www.yeringcottages.com.au.
Yering Gorge Cottages has received an Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor two years in a row (2013 & 2014) and is the highest rated boutique accommodation in the Yarra Valley.
The new Yering facilities of The Eastern Golf Club will be open in June 2015, and in the meantime they still have the old club in full operation with 18 holes of golf and full catering and dining facilities seven days a week.
More information and imagery can be found at www.sharkisomcoming.com.au for the new golf course.
The members fare is generous and far exceeds anything that any other Melbourne metropolitan club is producing for its members. They offer A La Carte menu’s on Friday and Saturday nights for just $29.90 for a three course option each week.
The food which the chefs provide is stunning and rivals Melbourne’s fine CBD restaurants. Oh, and it includes a glass of single vineyard Yarra Valley wine too!