Lovers bowled over

Rochford Wines executive head chef Ciaran Butler is encouraging couples to indulge in a dinner for two next weekend. 133921 Picture: JESSE GRAHAM

By JESSE GRAHAM

VALENTINE’s Day is fast approaching, and couples will have a chance to indulge in a four-course sharing menu full of delights at Rochford Wines.
On Saturday 14 February, Rochford’s Isabella’s restaurant will open with a specially designed menu for lovers, which consists of three courses and plenty of dishes to choose from.
Executive head chef Ciaran Butler told the Mail that the evening opens with an appetizer of seasonal dips, followed by a choice of entre, main and dessert.
Entre choices are a dozen oysters, served with cherry blossom dressing and wasabi sesame seeds; a baked Vacherin Le Duc, French soft cheese baked with rosemary, thyme, garlic and Rochford L’Enfrant Unique Pinot Noir and Lavosh; or a Assiette of Charcuterie, which consists of Northern Italian sopressa salami, Spanish Jamon Serrano, Southern Italian Nduja Calabrese, local ham hock terrine, cornichons, chorizo, caper berries, mustards and horseradish served with ciabatta.
Main meal choices are a grade-9 Waygu Rump Cap Wellington with puff pastry, mushroom duzelle, chicken mousse, pomme puree, glassed heirloom carrot and Rochford L’Enfant Unique Pinot Noir Jus; a hearty ravioli with semi-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, basil, heirloom tomatoes, olives, Italian tomato sauce, tomato powder, micro-basil and aged parmesan; or a Salmon En Croute with mascarpone, lemon, watercress, confit kipfler potatoes, asparagus and beurre blanc.
For dessert, a Valentine’s Mille-Feuille will be served to each of the couples.
Mr Butler said the Waygu Wellington was one of the highlights, calling it a “show-stopper”.
He said that all of the meals had been specially designed for the occasion with sharing in mind.
“It’s definitely going to be something romantic, something intimate,” he said.
“In essence, it’s really about spending time with each other and eating together.”
The Valentine’s Day dinner event is $170 per couple, which includes a glass of sparkling wine on arrival.
A special Movies in the Vineyard screening of the classic movie Ghost will be held on the evening, though entry to the movie is separate from the Valentine’s Dinner.
For more information on the dinner, or on the Movies in the Vineyard, visit www.rochfordwines.com.au.
The Mail has one table for two at the Valentine’s Day dinner to give away to two lucky readers.
To be in the draw to win the table for two, visit www.facebook.com/mailnewspapergroup and like, share and comment on the relevant post.
Winners will be drawn on Friday 6 February at 4pm.