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| Sam, Hugh and Sarah |
Rice to meet you, now duck off.
Historic = ●
Distinctly average = ●
Dismal = ●
Food rating: ● (how we voted. red - 0, orange - 1, green - 6)
I can’t back this next statement up, but I’m going to say it anyway – rarely have a group of people been so excitable, happy and praising over such an array of food – there I’ve said it. Considering we ordered a plethora of different, often flavour conflicting, appetisers, entrées and mains, the food was consistently good. And in a world of chaos, consistency is a welcome mistress. Yes, the food came in a weird order – it’s a Vietnamese restaurant after all - it didn’t matter, because it kept us guessing and each new dish was a surprise! And didn’t disappoint. Now you may think I’m a crazy, over-optimistic fool, but let it be known, here and now, that the Fresh Prawn Summer Rolls were declared the ‘best ever’ by Jane Erikson, the Salted Squid - with rock salt and sichuan pepper ‘excellent’ and the Turmeric Curry Fish ‘historic’ (even by Knaps who doesn’t like turmeric, or fish, or curry or something). The surprisingly simple Stir Fried Seasonal Vegetables with garlic and olive oil and the Steamed Prawn Wontons also get a mention. Somebody mentioned the Chilli and Salted Duck Breast was too salty – I’m still trying to work out whether or not that’s a justifiable comment or just a load of bollocks.
Service rating: ● (how we voted. red - 0, orange - 3, green - 4)
One extremely doting Vietnamese lady who served with a constant smile. The service may have been sparse, but the nice, little lady was attentive and friendly. Orders were taken, food was served, wine was chilled - what more can you ask for? So it gets a green. Nice. However, the reason it gets 3 orange marks is because some felt that the service expressed, was the service required. Nothing flash, nothing special, but the service one would expect.
Atmos rating: ● (how we voted. red - 0, orange - 6, green - 1)
Overton suggested that Cochin had an atmos that induced big conversation. And it did. Conversation weighed in and struck some hefty blows for religion, belief and karma! Not for the light hearted. However, that comment slightly masks the reality. When we first arrived the place was deserted - not a massive problem as Cochin is only a wee place – but the atmos needed a slap around the face and told to fire-up. The décor didn’t help. Cochin is clean and minimal which is fine, but it has beige linen walls. Bland. The only glimmer of life in the atmos was some piped in music, barely audible, which appeared to be Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – being played on the lute! Which nobody has played for the past 400 years.
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| Daya with a cheeky little rosé |
WOW factor?
Two things, none of which relate to the restaurant:
1 – Dayas delectable choice of wine – a cheeky little rosé from the McLaren Vale - War of the Rosés
2 - Overton’s poem – below:
We were all a flockin,
To the fabulous Vietnamese Cochin,
Where some enjoyed the fabulous salt duck,
But other couldn’t give a f*ck,
PS it’s Cochin – next SupperClub is rockin’.
Overall rating: ● (how we voted. Red - 0, Orange - 4, Green - 3)Cochin delivers Vietnamese food of the southern tradition, with an emphasis on the French influence (that’s from the website!). It also delivers contemporary music from a once forgotten musical instrument. What does all this mean exactly? I don’t really know. What I do know is, the food is fab, so check it out.
The search for Sydney’s best restaurant, continues...
