I'm never ordering entrees again: Rich & Rare, West End

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Menu highlights

Highlights from Zen’s visit.

• 500g Bavette MB5+ steak served cooked medium with wagyu-fat roasted potatoes
• Valrhona Chocolate Delice plated with hazelnuts, rich sauce, and ice cream
• Stone Axe Wagyu Tataki served with ponzu, green oil, and wakame
• Wood-fired Camembert topped with roasted pistachio, pomegranate, and fruit chutney

At a glance: what we ordered

• Wagyu Croquette ($24)
• Stone Axe Wagyu Tatami ($38)
• Wood-fired Camembert ($31)
• 500g Babette MB5+ ($115)
• Green beans ($18)
• Peppercorn sauce ($7)
• Strawberry & Rhubarb Crostata ($22)
• Valrhona Chocolate Delice ($24)

A Generous Spread of Starters

Our table quickly filled with three distinct opening plates to start the meal. First was the wagyu croquette for $24, fried golden brown and served in a pool of amber sauce topped with microgreens. Pressing a fork into the croquette revealed a rich, savoury filling that set a high standard right from the very first bite.

Alongside the croquette, we shared the Stone Axe wagyu tataki for $38, presented as thinly sliced seared beef lightly dressed with green oil and wakame, as well as the wood-fired camembert for $31. The camembert arrived warm and melted, beautifully topped with dried flowers, crunchy nuts, and a sweet caramelised fruit chutney. Enjoyed alongside glasses of red wine, these three starters alone made for a surprisingly heavy opening round.

The Main Event: 500g MB5+ Steak and Sides

The focal point of the feast was the massive 500g bavette MB5+ steak for $115. Plated pre-sliced to reveal a deep pink, medium-rare centre with a dark seared crust, the cut delivered serious presence at the centre of the table. Before diving in, a small metal ladle poured warm peppercorn sauce ($7) directly over the glistening slices of beef.

No steak meal is complete without side dishes, and the kitchen paired the beef with golden wagyu-fat roasted potatoes included with the cut, served up in a white bowl using serving tongs. We also added a side of green beans for $18 to round out the plate. Clinking glasses of wine across the table as we tucked into the steak, the main course proved every bit as generous as the starters that preceded it.

Saving Room for the Standout Chocolate Delice

By the time the dessert menu arrived, finding extra room was a genuine effort, but skipping the sweet finish was never an option. We received two desserts: the strawberry and rhubarb crostata for $22, which brought a bright fruit component to the table, and a small glass of spirits to conclude the dining session.

The undeniable star of the night was the Valrhona chocolate delice for $24. Plated as a smooth, dark chocolate slice accompanied by hazelnuts, chocolate drizzle, and a scoop of ice cream, it was easily my standout dish of the whole visit. If you have a sweet tooth like me, taking my advice to bypass the heavy entrees and jump straight into the mains and desserts is the best way to ensure you leave satisfied without missing out on this chocolate creation.