Our Sundays with Balzac

Each month the charming space and stunning skills of Randwick's Restaurant Balzac offer up some stunning degustation action. Chef Matthew Kemp constructs a new meal from amuse-bouche to delicious dessert. On our first visit, last month, we were sufficiently impressed (and stuffed) but yesterday's menu really blew us away.

Highlights included: a terrine of tripe, trotters and Calvados with sweetbreads and delicious little pigs ear beignets, Smoked eel and bacon ravioli and boudin of pheasant and foie gras.

But it is hard to play favorites when the rest of the line up included seared swordfish with a rock lobster, fennel and creme fraiche salad (above), creme brule tart with dates and marsala and a cheese course with truffled brie.

Service was snappy and professional but with a warmth that conveyed a real passion for the food and a belief in the restaurants' philosophy of providing "good honest food and good value trying to use the best and freshest produce"

The degustation, served on the last Sunday of the month is $90. It's only $45 more for the wine matching, although you can also BYO if you (like us) enjoy trying to play sommalier.

Restaurant Balzac is at 141 Belmore Rd Randwick