Dutchess, Melbourne CBD by Rockstar

Friday night drinks with old work colleagues. By 7:30 pm we were a tiny bit tipsy and a little hungry. Classic mistake of thinking we could get into one of the hot new places for dinner. After walking and trying, almost begging, for a table at so many places and being given false hope with the old 'we'll have a table shortly...in 40 minutes/an hour/an hour and a half' we were starving at 8:45 pm and desperate for food. We passed Dutchess and one of us thought they'd read a review a while ago.

Gippsland porterhouse steak

We went upstairs and we're told they'd have a table in 15 minutes and we could sit at the table to the side. The table was a perfectly comfy table and banquet in a curtained alcove where others were having drinks. Ten minutes later we were lead to our table and our relief was obvious!

It's a stylish set up - a nice view of Melbourne highlights like Fed Square and the forum, and sophisticated soft furnishings. Gorgeous cutlery and crockery and the table was big enough for all dishes and glasses without crowding- and would have fitted a fourth person without crowding us. The DJ was pleasant background noise though it did get a little loud as the night went on.

We feverishly devoured the complementary truffle popcorn and chickpeas; not just because we were hungry but because it was delightful and moreish!

We shared the buffalo wings with Louisiana hot sauce and blue cheese. As I'm not a cheese fan, especially not blue cheese, I ate mine sans blue cheese dipping sauce which the others loved. The blue cheese sauce bowl was scraped clean! The wings were crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. I could have eaten more of them!!

The Dutchess promote themselves as a steak venue. Their steak is evidence that they are worthy of it! My 150g pasture fed Gippsland porterhouse steak was cooked just as I requested it - more rare than medium rare (see first pic). It was tasty and sweet, with a good bite. My friend had the same but the 250g and he was equally pleased.

We shared some sides - how can grilled cos lettuce taste so delicious? The crispy bacon, anchovy mayo and Parmesan complicated the crispy charcoally lettuce - the textures were as delightful as the taste! The steak came with a little jus and a crispy potato but we also got the sautéed chat potatoes with sour cream and chives. I'd eat it all over again.... once my happy full tummy had time to recover from the feast!