It was time to revisit one of our favourite restaurants after nearly 5 years of WFSV absence, Noir in Richmond.
It was also time to celebrate the diversity of France in terms of it’s regional wine and food.
Noir is a restaurant humming with energy and comfort. Inspired by the bustling bistros in the south of France, Irish chef patron Peter Roddy and his wife Ebony Vagg invited us to experience their unique take on modern French dining. Peter and Ebony, driven to bring unpretentious, quality and joyful dining to Richmond, found their place in a cosy venue on Richmond’s Swan Street and set about building a strong community of like-minded customers who share a love of all things Gallic.
Everything on the menu is handmade by Noir – except for the bread, from their great mate Matt Forbes of Cobb Lane – and they are great believers in supporting their local Victorian and Australian producers.
At this function, we went going a little “off Piste” hence the title “l’Alternative”.
After Champagne and canapés we had a six course degustation of regional dishes meticulously matched with wines from a spread of regions in France, leaving the Burgundies and Bordeaux to mature in the cellar for a little longer.
We celebrated that diversity, that difference…… that “alternative” France that we love to discover as tourists.
The menu
Billecart-Salmon Demi-Sec, Champagne France
Pacific oysters from Coffin Bay, Champagne granita
Beef tartare, salt baked parsnip, walnuts and woodland sorrel
2019 Theirry Germain – Domaine Des Roches Neuves L’insolite Saumar Blanc, Loire Valley
Rosemary panisse, Comte custard, leeks, mushrooms and walnuts
2019 Gerard Boulay Sancerre a Chavignol, Loire Valley
Confit of ox tongue, salad of onions and parsley
2019 Coursodon St Joseph Silice Blanc, Rhone
Caramelised Atlantic scallop, squid ink, cuttle fish risotto
2016 Domaine De Fa Fleurie Roche Guillon, Beaujolais
Crisp breast and confit leg of duck, cider potato fondant, spiced lentils
2018 Domaine Tempiere Cuvee Classique Rouge Bandol, Provence
Rack and shoulder of lamb, spiced aubergine and Dauphinoise potatoes
Vilmart et Cie Ratafia de Champagne, France
2018 Chateaux de la Roulerie -Coteaux du Layon, Loire Valley
Quince and almond gateau, Rutherglen muscat ice cream