It is great news that restaurants in Sydney are reopening with social-distancing measures. What makes this even more exciting is that Chef Nelly Robinson’s theatrical ‘Once Upon A Time’ degustation is available right now, for the next eight weeks.
Chef Nelly has manifested all nostalgia, excitement and childlike wonderment of your favourite Disney movies in the menu that is renowned all over the world. Audiences from Mexico to Malaysia, to the UK and here in Australia have been astounded by this sentimental, exquisitely-executed, burst of creativity. The eleven-course ‘Once Upon A Time’ degustation is making an eagerly-anticipated return after selling out in a matter of weeks in 2019. This year however, Chef Nelly is bringing more iconic childhood movie memories to the plate.
Dinnertime is story-time at Chef Nelly’s restaurant, where multi-narrative courses and presentation leave you in awe. The 2020 edition of ‘Once Upon A Time’ begins with Alice in Wonderland inspired ‘Eat Me’ cookies and finishes with fairy-dust-sprinkled custard tarts, with a touch of Cinderella magic. Other fantastical and flavoursome dishes take inspiration from ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Robin Hood’, ‘Dumbo’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Bambi’ and ‘Finding Nemo’. The delectable ‘Melted Snowman’ is a very adorable nod to the recent movie ‘Frozen’, with the unexpected savoury flavours of black garlic bread, carrot nose, black iced eyes, complete with yogurt and topped off with “snow”. Venison carpaccio with rabbit terrine, mushroom, sorrel and forest leaves is an imaginative take on memories of Bambi and Thumper.
Chef Nelly likes to maintain the element of surprise, so the entirety of the menu is not publicised. However, some of the dishes include (and see if you can guess the inspiration behind each): ‘You Shall Go To The Ball’ – pumpkin bread served with dukka and oil; ‘Just Keeping Swimming’ – pan-fried dory served with fennel; and finally, ‘Roses Are Red, Beasts Are Blue’ – a serving of Gateau opera cake with a side of smashed rose.
The Once Upon a Time degustation menu is available for AUD$135 pp. Optional AUD$105 for alcoholic beverage matching or AUD$50 for non-alcoholic beverage matching.
Chef Nelly presents the perfect opportunity to relive those childhood memories with extraordinary delight, as well as the rarity of a bespoke, hand-crafted menu that is making its comeback due to popular demand. Bookings are available now for Tuesday 4 August to Saturday 7 November, for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday and you can visit the nel.