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Dessert Degustation – A Bacchanalian Delight

It must be said that it’s been a busy time of late for your intrepid correspondent. I have had quite a few invites to events and have been doing so much in the kitchen that I’ve had to take remedial action and start saying ‘no’ to a few invitations.  ‘Poor TIFFIN’, I hear you say, ‘Boo Hoo’. I remember when I went to my first invitation event (The Brisbane Cheese Awards), I heard other bloggers talking about how they couldn’t keep up and thought ‘I wish!’. Well, here I am. So, I’ve been a little more choosy about what I attend and whether I can do it justice on my blog. I also want to keep a balanced mix of posts as not everyone wants to read about my freebies or restaurant reviews in the same way that not everyone wants to wade their way through a 15 step recipe. Having said all of this, an invitation* arrived in my inbox for a most unusual event that I wanted to share with you. The Bacchus Dessert Degustation.

The concept of the Dessert Degustation is simple. There are 5 courses on offer which can be matched with a wine flight. Just like a degustation, you work your way through a series of small tastes, each elegantly plated, served with a flourish and a solemn explanation of what you’re about to eat. Of course, nothing looks like what it sounds like on the menu but that’s half the fun of any fine dining restaurant. Along the way, there are a few little extra surprises and treats that allow the chefs to show off their techniques and to revive your palate.

Bacchus Dessert Degustation

Raspberry

Panna Cotta, Vanilla Cheesecake, Raspberries & Sorbet

Panna Cotta, Vanilla Cheesecake, Raspberries & Sorbet

Didn’t touch the sides

Chocolate

Brownie, Hazelnut Mousse & Frangelico Ice-Cream

Brownie, Hazelnut Mousse & Frangelico Ice-Cream

So rich! Too much for me but I did eat all of the mousse

Lemon

Sticky Polenta & Almond Scorched Buttermilk Ice-Cream

Sticky Polenta & Almond Scorched Buttermilk Ice-Cream

My favourite. Slightly chewy and tangy with a luscious ice-cream

Soufflé

Apple Crumble, Cinnamon Anglaise & Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream

Apple Crumble, Cinnamon Anglaise & Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream

My most retweeted & favourited photo on social media

Sticky Date

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The cleverest dessert with an ‘amour plated’ chocolate cage dropped over the cake

A Word on the Wines
Harney & Sons fine teas and Bacchus Blend coffee are part of the degustation and are classic accompaniments to any dessert. Perhaps though, you should splash out on the accompanying wines. These wines have been carefully selected by the chief sommelier to match and highlight the flavours of each course. The origin, appellation, bouquet and features of each wine were described by the sommelier as they were poured, in keeping with a traditional degustation. It was the first time I enjoyed a genuine Madeira.

2012    Massolino Moscato d’Asti D.O.C                                  – Serralunga, Italy

NV        Henriques & Henriques Verdelho 10 year old         – Madeira, Portugal

2008    Château du Pavillon                           – Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, France

2011     ‘Bacchus’ by Kaesler GSM (Mulled)                           – Barossa Valley, SA

NV         Romate Pedro Ximénez ‘Cardenal Cisneros’           – Jerez, Spain

Mulled Wine

A Dessert Degustation may seem like an odd thing to eat for dinner, and indeed it is. It was the night before Ekka Show Day though so I threw caution to the wind and gave myself over to the experience. So when could you enjoy a Bacchus Dessert Degustation? A refined baby shower or wedding tea would be perfect, as would a special birthday gathering. Father’s and Mother’s Day celebrations present an opportunity or cap off an evening at the theatres. Maybe you could wag work with a colleague one morning or afternoon and plan the year ahead, allowing the degustation to fuel your imagination. $49pp or $69pp with wine, all of your cares will dissolve as quickly as the Lemonade & Mint Granita palate cleanser.

Palate Cleanser

Bacchus Restaurant is located in South Brisbane on the Rydges Rooftop. It’s like nothing I’ve been to before in Brisbane. As you round the corner from the lift, you walk into a series of lounge spaces and dining areas decorated with modern, luxe furnishings. There are little nooks for intimate catch ups and larger areas for group gatherings and dining. During Summer the rooftop pool and bar area is open with views towards the city but it was in the middle of a re-furb on the night I visited (re-opening September).  The vibe is relaxed, opulent and elegant. This extends to the understated approach to service which is discreet and professional. The menu is fine dining including rarely seen Vegetarian & Vegan (notice required) Degustations and a Gluten Free High Tea. It’s a hidden secret that’s worth visiting.

*TIFFIN ate desserts until her teeth ached as a media guest of Bacchus Restaurant and Kath Rose & Associates

Atmospheric light fitting...

Atmospheric light fitting…

Bacchus Restaurant
Cnr Grey & Glenelg Sts
South Brisbane  Qld  4101
www.bacchussouthbank.com.au

Bacchus on Urbanspoon
11 comments… add one
  • Heather August 26, 2014, 10:24 pm

    Now this is one invite I really wished had come my way. Sounds like an outing with my dessert loving bestie!

    • Fiona Ryan August 29, 2014, 3:43 pm

      It’s not an every day treat but for the dessert mad, maybe it is!

  • The Life of Clare August 27, 2014, 5:43 am

    This looks divine! I love love love dessert! What a fun event to be invited to!

    • Fiona Ryan August 29, 2014, 3:49 pm

      I thought it was a bit of an unusual concept but judging by the comments, it seems Bacchus have hit the mark. There’s a lot of dessert fans out there!

  • Francesca August 27, 2014, 3:48 pm

    That was a freebie worth attending, I am sure. I enjoy reading about some ‘freebies’ but in many cases, the advertising and product placement is far too blatant for my liking. I guess the question boils down to one of ethics for the individual blogger and also those of the reader. As I am on a mission to avoid the two major supermarkets on principle, bloggers who flog stuff from Coles and Woolworths get the ‘flick’ button from me. In the case of promoting restaurants, I feel that if the review is an honest one, and the judgement wasn’t clouded or prejudiced by it being free, then it it’s well and good.

    • Fiona Ryan August 29, 2014, 3:59 pm

      My freebies are generally restuarants and I always make sure that is very clear up front and at the end. I like to think my review is unbiased but of course, I’m being plied with the best of the best so it’s a review of someone who is putting their best foot foward so to speak. I have said no to a big company recently because their values did not align with my own. I’m glad I stood by the courage of my convictions. I generally do my own product reviews ie: I see something on the shelves, buy it, review it. I’m glad you took the time to leave feedback Francesca as I will be running a reader survey soon and freebies is one of the topics.

  • Tandy | Lavender and Lime August 27, 2014, 5:26 pm

    I often decline invitations as I only have time for one event a week, and that must be during the day. This dessert ‘meal’ would have been a YES from me – everything looks delicious and I am sure you enjoyed it immensely 🙂

    • Fiona Ryan August 29, 2014, 4:00 pm

      Yes, it soooo hard being popular isn’t it Tandy?! It was a lovely evening and very elegant and swish, which is really what made the night so special.

  • Elizabeth August 27, 2014, 5:29 pm

    Wow! Fantastic! So worth the Calories! Liz x

    • Fiona Ryan August 29, 2014, 4:01 pm

      Definitely worth the calories though perhaps a sausage roll to line the stomach first would have been a good idea. I had sugar induced dreams!

      • Elizabeth August 29, 2014, 6:55 pm

        LOL! I hope they were worthy of WIlly Wonka 🙂
        Liz x

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