RESTAURANT REVIEW
I was introduced to Cumulus Inc in 2008, as it has just opened, by my ex-colleague and good friend Janine S. chocolatière extraordinaire and Masterchef shortlisted a few times. She was expert as weaving amazing foodie experiences in a busy work schedule (typical between 7-10 presentations a day to architects and interior designers...) occasionally inviting me home for dinner where she would ravish me with her deliciously prepared and artistically presented contraptions, or suggesting the next up and coming venue for me to take her out to dinner.
Having been hooked on a short lunch stint, I made sure I would return for dinner on my own to explore further.
The last instalment was late March 2016 when I had a business visitor from Singapore, my friend Atul K. long time colleague and foodie extraordinaire of Indian descent - he knows his flavours and spices, trust me!
Having been hooked on a short lunch stint, I made sure I would return for dinner on my own to explore further.
The last instalment was late March 2016 when I had a business visitor from Singapore, my friend Atul K. long time colleague and foodie extraordinaire of Indian descent - he knows his flavours and spices, trust me!
Home baked bread, butter and Gold Sounds Riesling, Watervale, Australia
a One of the first venues part of Andrew McConnell empire, which also includes Luxembourg, Marion, Cutler & Co and Supernormal to name a few, Cumulus Inc is open all day, everyday and has a bar upstairs aptly named Cumulus Up. You can now book for lunch, but dinner can still be a struggle! Having said that, I have mostly been able to dine at the bar, with the added value that you are in full sight of the tiny kitchen and observe the ballet that this small team plays harmoniously in less than 50m2 of space! This in itself is worth a visit! It reminds me of my many visits to Kuleto's in San Francisco (who serves up to 400 meals a night, from a 30m2 kitchen and when I was a regular a few decades ago, run by a young, cool and talented female Chef, a rare thing at the time!)
But to come back to Cumulus Inc, it's a place where tapas and more substantial meals give you the choice of a light lunch or a more substantial dinner. The slow cooked shoulder of lamb lends itself to be shared amongst friends and is probably big enough for six, but I once had a lovely Asian couple next to me at the bar who finished it on their own after samplings a few more things before! The wine list has a great selection of wines by the glass and the Riesling is particularly good as well as the One Block Shiraz 'Yellingbo', Yarra Valley and Foxeys Hangout Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, which both took my fancy on different visits...
But to come back to Cumulus Inc, it's a place where tapas and more substantial meals give you the choice of a light lunch or a more substantial dinner. The slow cooked shoulder of lamb lends itself to be shared amongst friends and is probably big enough for six, but I once had a lovely Asian couple next to me at the bar who finished it on their own after samplings a few more things before! The wine list has a great selection of wines by the glass and the Riesling is particularly good as well as the One Block Shiraz 'Yellingbo', Yarra Valley and Foxeys Hangout Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, which both took my fancy on different visits...
Cumulus Inc - Zucchini Flowers
Cumulus Inc - Chorizo stuffed dates & cider onions - We had a few servings of these...
Cumulus Inc - Roasted veggies over a nice piece of fish....
Cumulus Inc - Madeleines - Make sure you leave some spaces for them! Just amazing....
Cumulus Inc has certainly replaced my long time love Punch Lane Wine Bar, as the go to place if I only have one night in Melbourne! One of the reason is that this lonely diner is well catered for, the crowd elegant and knowledgeable , and the food is varied, spectacular and prepared in front of your mesmerised eyes! One last bit of advice though: make sure you still have some room for at least ONE madeleine...Only my daughter makes better ones! It will probably cost you around $100 per person but this money well spent and a tax deduction!
