Grace The Establishment, The Parade, Norwood

I went here for lunch recently and my companion and I both chose the Tasting Menu for our meal as it's a new addition to the menu and the smaller servings of food are perfect for a luncheon. 

We've both been here before and really like its ambience and fresh, modern take on food and presentation.   We also enjoy the stylish bar area with its high black surfaced tables and stools and the fact that the food choices are the same as for the fine dining area.  So you can just come casual or after work and have some great 'on tap' beers and some  elegant snacks.


The tasting plate is $38 per person and on this particular day consisted of seven tasting courses the last of which was a sensational dessert.  We began the experience with king fish sashimi with a ginger & shallot dressing, sesame mayonnaise & seaweed salad.  It was a light and fresh starter with the dressing served in a novel manner in a small plastic pipette so you could squeeze the exact amount required.  We really enjoyed it and thought it set the scene for what was to come.

The next dish was an ocean trout tartare served in a faux sardine can on a small wooden board.  The taste was terrific and we really admired the innovative and eye catching way in which it was served.

This was followed by miniature fish tacos with coriander salsa and chopped chilli bean.  The wow factor was still there and it got us talking about who would or how you would make such tiny crispy taco shells.

Next came Harvey Bay scallops served en shell and with a sopressa dressing & almond cream.  The scallop was large, fresh and tasty and the accompaniments complemented them perfectly.

Following the fish tastings we were served boneless chicken wings with butter milk dipping sauce.  They were hot and crunchy and not oily despite being deep fried - just delicious.

Then the piece de resistance was the mini Korean pork buns with kim chi, chilli and mayonnaise.  We loved these and I've never had kim chi that tasted so good - a real masterpiece to complete the savoury courses.

The final tasting was two small desserts and they looked sensational see photo adjacent, and tasted delicious.  One was a pecan tart with Earl Grey tea ice cream and the other was a sliver of chocolate bar salted caramel and peanut nougat.  Neither lasted long and the pastry chef must be complimented for her inventive and delicious sweet treats.  


We had a lovely afternoon and believe the concept of The Grace with its casual but elegant bar, fine dining and alfresco eating options is a winner.  Our next visit to The Grace will be for high tea on a Sunday afternoon and we are really looking forward  to tasting more of the sweet offerings.