REVIEWS
The Age Good Food Guide 2012
From the very first interaction with staff – on the phone or near the oyster shucker and aged-meat shrine by the entrance tunnel – diners are beamed a confident promise that they’ll have a good time. Overwhelmingly, the pact is made good.
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Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Australian Restaurant Guide
A good argument can be made for coming to Rockpool Bar & Grill just for the steaks – a 13-strong range of meticulously sourced, expensive woodfire-grilled beauties – and, with its supersized clubby masculinity, the dining room certainly underlines the upmarket steakhouse shtick. But ignoring the seafood at this branch of Neil Perry’s empire isn’t sensible…
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The Age Good Food Guide 2011
Find out what people really like to eat and give it to them. That seems to be Neil Perry’s guiding philosophy at Rockpool with dozens of dishes promoting good produce and minimal fussing… Like the decidedly clubby, masculine room, the menu encourages you to relax, let the belt out a notch or two and, frankly, dig into whatever floats your boat. Staff are discreet and informative, whether you’re eating chunky chips in the bar or charging bottles of Krug to the expense account.
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The Age Good Food Guide 2011 – Five of the Best Seafood
Neil Perry’s slightly obsessive quality-ingredient fixation is not limited to the beef. The seafood here – from the sublime ‘Four Raw Tastes of the Sea’ to the hearty mussel and saffron stew – always ranks among Melbourne’s best.
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Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide 2011
Dining at the expansive (and expensive) Melbourne branch of the Perry wood-grill empire is akin to stepping into a clubby feed-the-man-meat brasserie. The clientele is glamorous, and the wide-ranging menu delivers top produce, including Tassie clams, groper with parmesan crust and seductive lobster omelette, alongside outstanding wine from a vast and far-reaching list.
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The Age Good Food Guide 2010
Nothing fazes the sartorially smart staff, whether you’re a high roller ordering a 1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild to partner a hundred-dollar steak (it’s wagyu) or just chasing a burger (also wagyu) and beer at the bar. Though beef is worshipped here – sourced specially, hung carefully and cooked appropriately – there’s plenty else on offer..And the sides are fabulous: potato and cabbage gratin should be compulsory.
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AWARDS
The Age Good Food Guide 2012
Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne, 17/20
Two Hats
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Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards 2012
Two Stars
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The Age Good Food Guide 2011
Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne, 17/20
Two Hats
Wine List of the Year
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Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Awards 2010
Sommelier of the Year (David Lawler)
Wine List of the Year
Best Restaurant List
Best List in Victoria
Judy Hirst Award (David Lawler)
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Gourmet Traveller Australian Restaurant Guide 2011
2 stars
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The Age Good Food Guide 2010
Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne, 17/20
Two Hats
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Gourmet Traveller Australian Restaurant Guide 2010
2 stars
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Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence” 2010, 2009
A “Best of Award of Excellence” is granted to restaurants that clearly offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.