The Foraging Quail

THE FORAGING QUAIL HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

The Foraging Quail is New Farm’s fine dining hotspot, serving exquisite degustation style food prepared by chef/owner Minh Le in pared-back luxuriant surrounds.

White marble bars and reception desk, French ivory-handled cutlery, gorgeous Italian wallpaper and tiles and Ay illuminate lights set the scene for a divine dining experience that is also affordable.

The menu, which is designed for sharing and flexibility, comes as either a set degustation of 10 courses available for $85 pp* ($125 with matched wine) or the same a la carte choice of dishes from which diners can pick and choose from 3-10 as they like to create their own degustation menu.

Minh Le sources as much food locally as he can, mixed with the best from other regions and seasons and dishes, which have an East meets West flavour, include: Viet Spiced Quail with tofu, edamame, quail eggs and Thai eggplant; 63 Degree Egg, baby veges, celeriac, wild rice and olive oil; Saltbush lamb belly with baby veges, olives and jus; Chilli prawns, scallops, clams, mussels, bonito malto and seaweed.

On the sweet side there’s dreamy dessert plates like Chocolate Forest Seven Textures of Choc and orange marshmallow and strawberry meringue and a succinct top shelf cheese list includes Witches Chase Triple Cream Brie or Italian Gorgonzola Dolce Blue Cheese, served with lavosh, apple, quince paste and dried fruit.

Wines at The Foraging Quail can be ordered by the glass or bottle and the extensive curated selection hails from Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Spain, France and Italy. On the spirit and liqueur front, the collection is also top shelf and includes rarities like Green Fairy Absinthe and Zen Green Tea Liqueur. There’s also a cocktail list which is also an East-West fusion with options such as ginger and lemongrass mojito or caramel whisky sour.

Need to know: Minh is happy to accommodate dietary requirements and alter dishes accordingly.

Nice to know: The menu comes with a glossary at back for any menu items that may be unfamiliar.

*Price was correct at time of writing on Apr 2014 but may be subject to change.