Oh my goodness. Dining at Vue de Monde last night was a once in a lifetime experience: and it ought to be, because we can’t afford to go again!

Whilst the final bill was what any ordinary Aussie would call ridiculously exorbitant, I couldn’t help but feel we were getting value for money. The luxurious surroundings alone warrant high prices. Each course (there was ten in total) was presented on crockery that seemed to be custom-made for it. The staff were friendly, and most importantly, knowledgable and passionate about the food and wine they placed before you. The service was a very well oiled machine, but did not feel rehearsed or impersonal.

And the food, my goodness, the food. I am at a loss for words to describe it. I am, ordinarily, quite good at deconstructing a dish: from tasting I can tell you what’s in it, and what processes they used to create it. But not at Vue de Monde. I ate with a constant expression of wonderment.

Highlights for me were the amuse bouche (an amuse bouche is a ‘pre-appetizer’, a small little morsel to get the taste-buds tingling) of kangaroo charcuterie, blue fin tuna and ‘muesli bar’ (an understated title for a dish that was absolute magic); the truite fumée (ocean trout smoked at the table); and the ouef de canard et truffe (mushrooms, duck egg and Manjimup truffle).

Upon departure, our charming waiter farewelled us at the door, with a parting gift: house-baked brioche loaf, two organic eggs, loose-leaf tea, two delightful sweet biscuits, and the instructions to create french toast. The Vue de Monde experience concludes the following day at breakfast! An unexpected delight.

The Age Good Food Guide rates Vue de Monde as a three hat establishment, one of only two in Melbourne. It was pipped at the post for number one position by Jacques Reymond, who received a score of 18.5 out of 20, to Vue de Monde’s 18. So, I am now setting my sights on Jacques Reymond… but perhaps for 2011 — better start saving those pennies…