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Food

Morrexico Degustation at Terminus for Good Food Month

 

Terminus, a fine hatted restaurant in Mornington Peninsula, was the venue for Morrexico, the fusion of Morrocan and Mexican cuisine for The Age Good Food Month. The World Loves Melbourne was invited along to imbibe the degustation and check out the wonderful Terminus, one of regional Victoria's finest. Check out our Best Wineries on the Mornington Peninsula.

Terminus is a fine dining restaurant at Flinders Hotel on the Mornington Peninsula, with a casual vibe. Normally Terminus features French cuisine but on this occasion was part of The Age Good Food Month's "hats off" event where hatted restaurants take their hats off to offer something completely different to diners. The fusion of Morrocan and Mexican cooking was a significant departure from French cooking, but encapsulated the culinary experiences of Executive Head Chef Pierre Khodja.

Coronas upon entry - with fresh lime of course...

 

The first offering was the Amuse Bouche of Marinated ocean trout, guacamole, smoked eel, tortilla chip served with 2014 Quely Pinot Grigio. We were amazed this was referred to as Amuse Bouche because it was quite substantial and seemed like a great first course. The dish was deconstructed Mexican with classic elements on the plate with a twist. 

 

The group at our table was excellent company, and thanks to Reymond Communications.

 

The first course was Fresh anchovy, chilli, egg brick, corn and radish salad served with 2012 Stift Goettweiger Gruner Veltliner. The brik pastry parcel featured a rewarding filling featuring the anchovy and the salad set it off wonderfully. I'm not an expert in Morrocan cusine but seemed to us like a great Moroccan Mexican fusion here. 

 

The World Loves Melbourne is no stranger to scallops and we enjoyed this dish of Tequila-marinated scallops, preserved lemon dressing served with 2013 Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc from Bellarine Peninsula. The scallop was in fact in little pieces put back together, presumably to accomodate the tequila marination. The advent of mango on top was brilliant, as was the preserved lemon dressing, to make this a delicate if not rich dish.

 

The courses were showing fine technique from Executive Chef Pierre Khodja, and the Steamed barramundi, fennel, green salsa, quinoa & mint salad was a high point. The sweetness of the barramundi combined wonderfully with the salsa, with the salad bringing a fresh zest for perfect balance, served with 2012 Hoddles creek Estate '1er' Pinot Blanc. This dinner was exceptional and well thought out, with the courses not too heavy and showcasing playfulness and creative flair.

 

The World Loves Melbourne adores duck and the Slow roast duck, mango and clementine, sweet potato crisps was rustic and rewarding, served with 2011 Chateau Musar 'Jeune' Cabernet Sauvignon Blend. The wine matching was brilliant with this Lebanese wine showing excellent depth superbly setting off the duck. Presentation of dishes should be noted and Terminus excels in its plating skills.

 

The Morrexican Pancake filled with chermoula & tequila marinated slow roasted lamb shoulder, with capsicum salsa and avocado was another highlight, served with local 2012 Foxey's Hangout Shiraz from Red Hill. This was Morrexican at its best appearing like a Mexican burrito with Mexican lamb shoulder but of course chermoula is classic Morrocan cuisine. We rolled this up and imbibed top notch lamb presented imaginatively.

 

Executive Chef Pierre Khodja presented his team and spoke about the Morrexican concept. We at The World Loves Melbourne feel the concept could be another wave or trend. Chef Pierre also introduced his fine team, bringing exceptional dining to the Mornington Peninsula at Terminus as part of Flinders Hotel.

 

The final course was Morrexico sweet treats, which exceeded expectation as this Quince and cinnamon  spiced souffle with coconut ice cream and tequila and mango salsa. 

The Morrexico dinner event was a major triumph and occured on the same day as National Geographic announced Mornington Peninsula on its Best of the World destinations list.