EAT: THE OMAKASE PROJECT, JACK B NIMBLE CAFE
Launched by the folks behind Jack B Nimble Cafe, The Omakase Project is a great initiative highlighting the talents of up and coming chefs. First to step up to the cooking plate is Chef Samuel Eng, whose 8 course Modern Malaysian menu is more than just food on a plate - each dish accompanied by a cherished memory or story that inspired the creation. These stories really allow diners to get to know the chef at a more intimate and personal level, adding another dimension that further bring the flavours of each dish to life. Not to mention the dramatic reimagination of even the most traditional dishes. Family favourite dish Hainanese chicken rice was served as a silky sous vide chicken with compressed cucumber and chilli roe, served on a cracker. The tartlet of curried potatoes, marigold microchives and Australian native Fingerlime was accompanied by a story about curry puffs from a local store being the highlight after attending tuition lessons. Further exemplifying Chef Eng’s penchant for bold and innovative flavour pairings is his combination of caramelised banana with, wait for it, pre-smoked fish and sambal… not quite the makings of dessert. But much like all his other dishes, he nailed these flavours right on the head.
Chef Samuel Eng’s Recollections of our future menu will feature until the end of December, and I would highly recommend a visit, especially given the very decent pricing of $95 for 8 courses. But this likely, and thankfully, won’t be the last that we see or hear of Chef Eng and his amazing flavoursome creations, with some restaurant plans in the pipeline.
Chicken, cracker & chilli roe.
Potato curry, finger lime & chives.
Prawn tartare & white radish salad.
Kangaroo & macadamia satay.
Fish, banana & sambal.
Duck, pineapple & laksa.
Pork belly, baby bok choy with mushroom broth.
Palate cleanser.
Honeystars ice cream, milk foam, wattleseed cake & rice crumb.
Sugarcane & yuzu sugus.
The Omakase Project (Pop up at Jack B Nimble Cafe)
132 Mitchell St,
Maidstone, Victoria, 3012.
https://www.omakaseproject.com/
Disclosure: I dined as a guest of The Omakase Project. All opinions expressed in this post are based entirely on my experience and observations made during the time of my visit.