FONDUES are enjoying a bit of a ‘70s revival but I still wasn’t sure what to expect from a mushroom one. Melted cheese and a bunch of button mushies to dunk, perhaps?
Keen breakfasters will love the menu at Finlay and Sons in Inglewood but — not being a fan of eggs — I found it short on choices for a non-meaty lunch.
I considered the waffle with mascarpone and caramalised banana ($9, $11 or $13), but was really hanging out for something savoury, and thought “in for a penny in for a pound” and ordered the fungi fondue ($17).
What a splendid choice it turned out to be: a decorative copper bowl of juicy mushrooms swimming in a deliciously cheesy sauce, flavoured with basil and garlic, with slabs of toast on the side for dipping.
My lunch companion ordered the ribs ($27) and was in seventh heaven from the moment the huge serve arrived: the caramelised bits of carcass topped with chunky golden brown slices of potato.
“It just falls of the bone and is obviously cooked very slowly,” she said, intoning with great seriousness, “they are the best I’ve ever had.”
Finlay and Sons has been open just three months but is already drawing in the breakfast and lunch crowds.
The decor is hip, with raw brick walls, black tiles in the open kitchen, over-sized copper lights and aged-worn timber tables and benches.
The inside was crowded and noisy for our visit so my mate and I enjoyed the outdoors, sitting almost under a huge palm tree, undeterred by the brisk breeze humming down Beaufort Street.
You’ll go a long way to find friendlier, more efficient staff and the service was great.
The night before, we were informed, the chef had been experimenting with a lemon, passionfruit meringue slice ($5) — all the elements I love — and it had made its way to the menu.
The chunky biscuit base was deliciously chewy and the lemon and passionfruit magnificent together.
My mate had the chocolate-topped caramel slice ($5), a wickedly rich indulgence. Both desserts were washed down with a couple of very mellow coffees.
by JENNY D’ANGER
Finlay and Sons
917 Beaufort Street, Inglewood
open Tues–Sun
7.30am–3.30pm
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