Mondo Organics – 166 Hardgrave Rd, West End

http://www.mondo-organics.com.au

Mondo Organics is an interesting little place, with a surprising array of services. They offer wine appreciation, Catering, Cooking Classes and just for fun they run a restaurant.

My visit on Saturday was for lunch & wine. If you are interested in the cooking school side of things – don’t tune out – I’m doing a couple of classes there in the upcoming weeks.

The breakfast menu veered slightly in the direction of health food (quinoa making a superfood appearance) without forgetting to turn back to decadence (bacon eggs and hollandaise, washed down with a breakfast cocktail – maybe an Earl Grey Martini if you please?)

The menu is largely organic without seeming obsessively so – they explain some of their sources, they offer a variety of organic & biodynamic wines, but they complement them with conventional to allow for a full portfolio.

Our menu for lunch included:

Coffin bay oysters with a verjuice vinaigrette
- Sadly a bit of a letdown, they oysters lacked creaminess - a little bitter for my taste, with little sweet or sour to offset.

Warm quail salad with prosciutto, pickled pear rocket & a balsamic reduction
- Very generous and nicely balanced

Braised bendele farm duck, swiss brown mushrooms, du puy lentils with an asparagus & spinach ragout.
- Now I’m probably biased, but there is no better guilty pleasure than the blend duck with du puy lentils. This was nicely done. A luxurious texture & richness. My thighs wouldn’t tolerate me having this kind of dish too often, but that just makes it all the more delish.

For wines we tested out the following, please bear in mind my enthusiasm about wine is by no means balanced by any depth of knowledge!

Carlei Pinot Gris (Biodynamic)
- A truly beautiful wine visually, with the lightest touch of pink. The flavour was lovely, but with a clarity I’m not accustomed to in a conventional wine. I’ll be hunting out a case of this for home!

Carlei Shiraz (Biodynamic)
- Yes, we liked the Pinot so much we tried the Shiraz. Also lovely, but a bit light for my taste.

We indulged in some cheeses, which were very pleasant, but not outstanding. However the accompanying homemade fig preserve deserves a mention.

We did try a desert wine, but the name of it escapes me (perhaps because of all the Pinot & Shiraz that came before it ;o)

The service was personal and very professional, overall I couldn’t fault it. I will be going back to try out the wild venison one night at dinner time.

Comin soon

Reviews of the Northey St Organic Market

The rundown of organic food home delivery services

Fundies Wholefoods in Paddington, the store and the cafe.