Platinum Restaurant

There are few fine dining restaurants in the outer east of Melbourne. If you are seeking a sophisticated dinner, it usually involves a journey to the inner suburbs or further out to the Yarra Valley. Instead, why not try Platinum Restaurant which is located in the East Ridge building complex in Chirnside Park. The restaurant has a seasonal menu that showcases produce from the Yarra Valley. We sampled some of their dishes from their new Winter menu. We went on a weeknight which was fairly quiet but I would suggest you book well in advance for Friday and Saturday night as you may find yourself left disappointed... As well as dinner, they are open for lunch all week and breakfast on the weekend.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

·        Twice cooked pork belly with a chilli caramel, pear cider chutney a crispy noodle salad ($17.00)

·        Slow braised beef cheeks on creamy polenta, with baby vegetables and sweet onion jus ($32.00)

·        Confit duck leg, white bean and smoked ham hock cassoulet, rocket, hazelnut and parmesan salad and cherry jus ($32.00)

·        White chocolate and mango cheesecake with passionfruit sorbet and a coconut meringue ($13.00)

WHAT WE ATE...

Firstly, we were offered some complementary bread which was accompanied by a dish of olive oil. Ripping off pieces of the warmed bread and dunking them into the fruity olive oil was a perfect start to the night’s proceedings.

Bread and olive oil

I started with the ‘Tasmanian oysters served natural with salmon pearls and a lemon vinaigrette x 3 ($9.50)’. I could have had the oysters served Kilpatrick but I love fresh oysters in their natural state with a squeeze of lemon. The salmon pearls added an extra salty kick.

Oysters

My dining companion chose the ‘Assorted marinated olives with Yarra Valley Persian fetta ($6.00)’. This is definitely a dish to share... maybe between four! The mountain of olives was elevated by the delightful and creamy fetta. I helped my dining companion as much as I could but there were just so many olives.

Olives

For my main, I was going to choose the beef cheeks which I have ordered before and found to be delicious, but instead opted for the ‘Yarra Valley sweet potato and kale ravioli with semi dried tomato pesto, spinach and Persian fetta ($29.00)’. I have tried their Autumn pasta of asparagus, lemon and ricotta and was keen to see if their Winter pasta was of the same high standard. I actually thought that this pasta was even better!  The crunchy sweet potato crisps added a wonderful textural element and complemented the pillows of glorious green pasta. I’m also a big fan of Yarra Valley Persian fetta...

Ravioli

My dining companion decided to have the ‘Crispy skinned salmon, prawns in garlic oil, crushed potato, green beans and Café de Paris butter ($34.00)’. The skin was indeed crispy without the salmon being overcooked. The decadent butter melted over the tender beans creating a gorgeous accompaniment to the salmon and prawns.

Salmon

WHAT WE DRANK...

We began with one of my favourite wines, the ‘Mount Langi ‘Billi Billi’ 2013 Pinot Gris’ ($8.00)’.

Pinot Gris

We also tried the ‘Yering Farm Run Rabbit Run Chardonnay 2012’ ($7.50)’.

  

SERVICE...

When I have been here in the past, the service has been excellent but on this occasion it was a bit haphazard. The first wine order was missing in action which we had to follow up on and they were slow to clear plates. Perhaps they are more efficient when the place is busy...

Address: 1 East Ridge Drive, Chirnside Park, VIC

Phone: 03 9727 1255

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Trading Hours:

Tues – Fri: 11.30 - late

Sat – Sun: 8.30 - late

P.S. Other eateries nearby are Café Rondiné, Round Bird Can’t Fly, and the Lilydale General...