Zoe, Liz and Gaby
It has been a long time since a three member meeting of the PDS but with Liz's return to Australia we had a great opportunity. It ended up being a great night at The Commoner with all of us agreeing that it's now one of our top 5 dinners.
When I saw a Negroni on the cocktail list I couldn't go past it. It contains three of my favourite alcohols - gin, campari and vermouth - and I'd never had it before. Whilst the first hit is all alcohol everything after is just great. After the cocktail I joined Zoe and Liz with the Dao tempranillo. A great choice by Zoe.
On Sunday nights The Commoner is menu free and for $55 for food we were (overfed) extremely well. The following mouthful size morsels of yum came out and we enjoyed all immensely.
Spiced fish with paprika on crostini
Radishes with hummus
Babaganoush
Roast pumpkin with caramelised onions, yogurt and coriander
Bread and crostini with cumin sesame seeds and oil
Boiled eggs with olives and salted cod
The next dish, of semolina gnocchi with jerusalem artichokes and walnuts was possibly my favourite dish of the night. In fact I think we all enjoyed it - the gnocchi was so creamy. Other plates brought at the same time were mushroom croquettes with cauliflower puree and sSnapper with harissa.
This was about when we were feeling full but we found room for the simple but delicious cut steak with caramelised onion and horseradish cream. The hand cut chips and simple green salad with it were just right.
Finally the meal finished with a vanilla cream tart with poached quinces and walnut praline and some peppermint tea.
A great night, so great in fact that I plan to go back for my birthday dinner. It was a lovely way to end a weekend - just relaxing with friends while fabulous food was brought to us. There was a freedom that came with a meal with no menu that was so good that I don't that I'd go back on any other night than a Sunday.
