There has been a lot of buzz about the Crown restaurant precinct as of late and its with good reason I would suggest. The complex now houses many of the big names including: Nobu, The Brasserie, Guiseppe Arnaldo & Sons, Bistro Guillaume and of course, Rockpool Bar and Grill. Craving a good piece of steak, and having not eaten any red meat for many weeks I really could not think of a better place to visit. So I made a booking and wandered down to Rockpool with great anticipation.

I must firstly comment that service seems to have really stepped up since my prior visits earlier in the year. I was warmly greeted and well looked after throughout the entire evening. There seems to be a bit more finesse than there has been in the past and I did not notice any arrogance from the staff, which is definitely an improvement from what myself and others seem to have previosuly experienced.

As I have mentioned before Rockpool Bar & Grill is a large restaurant, seating 150 guests, and more in the bar. The emphasis is on the freshest, best quality produce: featuring house aged steaks hung in a cool room at the front of the premise, live seafood and shellfish kept in tanks and prepared "espresso" to your order. Fish that is dry filleted to maintain freshness and much more. It is all the real deal here, and you can taste it in the food.

On the night I dined I begun with the scallops ceviche ($32): four live scallops, served on the shell with a tangy citrus dressing and a range of the most finely diced condiments including chilli, ginger and cilantro. There is no denying that these were the freshest scallops I have ever had the pleasure of eating, and they certainly provided a sublime tasting experience.


After the sensational scallops I soon received what I had come here for: my steak fix. I decided upon the New York cut ($60) after observing other diners eating this on my last visit and moaning with delight. It proved to be a beautiful piece of meat, which had been aged for 45 days and served cut, along with the bone. Cooked rare, the meat was most enjoyed: tender, full of flavour and perfectly seasoned. Along with a wonderful harissa condiment and the ultra fluffy bernaise and horseradish cream this was a first class meal. I savoured every mouthful.


To go with this special piece of meat I ordered the boiled greens dressed with lemon and extra virgin olive oil ($8). I was a bit skeptical that they were boiled, rather than steamed but I need not have been. What I got was a perfect bowl of brocolini, cabbage and leek, each with a wonderful crunch and subtle coating of olive oil. A really nice side to the steak.
I should also mention that all of the sides I have had here are exceptionally good: the gratins, mushrooms and salads are each worthy of praise in their own right.


With no room for dessert, and trying to keep the meal moderately healthy I part ways with Rockpool and have my coat retrieved for me; something which has not occured in the past and I leave rather impressed having enjoyed a seemingly simple meal, that was certainly up there with the best that I have had in recent times. I have also decided that whenever I feel like a good steak Rockpool is going to be my first point of call: after all life is way too short to be eating bad meat.

Rockpool Melbourne seems to be going from strength to strength and its success has been proven, with plans well under way for another Rockpool Bar and Grill set to open shortly in Sydney. It takes a lot of work to get a restaurant of this size running well and it looks like Melbourne's Rockpool is just about there.

Rockpool Bar and Grill has previously been reviewed by Melbourne Foodie here

MY RATING: 17/20 - Food 9/10 Ambience: 4/5 Service: 4/5

Labels: REVIEWS: Fine Dining, Rockpool Bar and Grill