You Are What You Eat – 6 Venues for Winter Degustation Dining

If you have ever wondered what a degustation menu is but have been too afraid to ask, we have the answer for you.

‘Degustation’ is the French word for ‘tasting’ – it is a menu where you can try lots of different dishes; some restaurants can offer up to 20 courses, but usually it is a four or five-course offering, sometimes with matched wines.

Also known as a Chef’s tasting menu, it is the ideal opportunity to test your culinary adventurousness when it comes to food and gastronomic trends.

Here are six venues to get your Winter ‘dego’ on:

Discover the beauty of McLaren Vale at Serafino, a winery, restaurant and accommodation venue nestled among 200-year-old gum trees, lakes and rolling hillsides. The largest venue space in McLaren Vale, Serafino is an ideal location for weddings, functions and intimate occasions, with an onsite winery and cellar door adding to the experience.

 

From a carefully crafted six-course degustation menu of Modern Italian-Australian fare created using seasonal produce, begin with beetroot and gin-cured ocean trout and quail yakitori, before larger plates of BBQ pork belly, beef fillet and lamb loin with sides.

Expect a visually stunning Melbourne dining experience at hidden gem Shelanous on Rouse Street in Port Melbourne. One of the most unique restaurants the city has to offer, every dish on the degustation menu is a culinary journey; perfect for those seeking date night ideas or group activities, with a soundscape carefully curated to enhance the overall ambience.

 

Be enveloped in an array of seasonal aromas from degustation dishes created by Chef Rony Parienty, who fuses classic techniques with contemporary flair to tantalise all five senses. Prepare to embark on an adventure where every bite is a revelation and a testament to Rony’s passion for creating unforgettable culinary memories. 

Nestled on the west end of St Georges Terrace in the heart of Perth’s CBD, Rusty Fig is an oasis from the hectic pace of city surroundings. Named after a more than 130-year-old Port Jackson fig tree that is the centrepiece of the outdoor deck, perhaps start with drinks at one of two bars with inviting leather stools; then head upstairs to the restaurant where elegant décor and plush armchairs await.

 

Opt for the decadent degustation menu and delve into the likes of scallops, Jerusalem artichoke purée and crisps and sautéed mushrooms, followed by lobster, with white and green asparagus and champagne butter sauce, or veal with mashed potato, carrots, capers, confit garlic and veal jus.

With a sleek industrial feel, Canberrans are discovering Peonee on Provan Street in Campbell for a new fine dining experience. This small contemporary eatery is the brainchild of Alberto Ranali whose love of food started at age 15 in his home city of Bologna and he now delivers a five-course set menu for dinner at this intimate Mod Oz venue.

 

Step into a vibe of stainless steel combined with polished concrete floors and blond wood tables to observe glimpses of Chefs in action in the open kitchen; from an evolving five-course set menu discover dishes such as master stock chicken with baby gem and green goddess.

Inspired dishes appear on the plate at Orleana on Kingsford Road in the Barossa Valley. Prepare to be delighted as ultimate luxury awaits at this Kingsford dining destination, where an intimate candlelit dinner is served in the historic cellar or enjoy a private celebration against an earthy, time-worn ambience along with world-class wines.

 

Delve into the 'History of Kingsford' seven-course menu taking you on a captivating journey of the property’s rich 167-year heritage; expect dishes such as native yabby, bush tomato, macadamia, green ant and compressed apple, along with 12-hour lamb shank pie, sirloin, native greens and roasted carrot.

Modern Chinese but not as you know it is what you’ll find on the menu at Magnolia restaurant on St Pauls Terrace in Fortitude Valley. This elegant Brisbane dining destination exudes moody charm with white-clothed tables, softly glowing candlelight and potted plants setting the scene for memorable meals with family and friends.

 

Modern Chinese is characterised by southern cuisine and has a distinctive cooking style as seen in the degustation menus plating up offerings like sashimi grade scallops followed by master stock pork belly with a housemade rice cracker and premium soy sauce.