lifeasmewhoyen : Claude's Restaurant

Let's start with my favourite...

Claude's Restaurant & Bar: 10 Oxford Street, Woollahra

Kate Moss famously said "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". I have my own version: "Nothing tastes as good as great service". It's been my dining motto for as long as I can remember. Armed with this ideology, I entered Claude's Restaurant in Wollahra for my 25th birthday to:

EAT the best bloody food of my life

ONLY

To meet the rudest maitre d' EVER.

We were given complimentary starters (crackers of some sort?) and perused through the menu and decided that we might as well go with the degustation menu and their wine flight (it was starting to look pricey, but hey, you only turn 25 once). A few moments later, much to our surprise, we were being complimented some more. Husband and I reminded each other to take it easy, not to look too excited...we went for it anyway.

And stopped, stunned, when the maitre d' approached our table, reached for our crackers and said in an accusing tone "The waiter who gave you this has only been working five minutes. You've had yours already."

I wish I could tell you I reacted strongly. That the birthday me shouted "It's my birthday, and I'll eat as many crackers as I want to!" In reality, she just cowered away, slightly embarrassed. You see, it was only the beginning of the night and hubby and I both knew we had a few long hours ahead of us considering we opted for the degustation menu.

Can I just say, those hours were heaven on earth?

This takes me back to my motto. Whilst I believe service can bring an ordinary meal to another level, the food at Claude's challenged my thinking.

I've eaten at many, many restaurants (to be shared with you all slowly, but surely), and Claude's still stands out. I've spoken to a few colleagues at work and they agree.

Claude's Bar Menu: