Date Night Australasia

Being parents and owners of our own businesses, a date night is a rarity in our household these days. But we try to get out as a couple as much as we can and have some “together” time…cheesey I know. It helps that we’re both foodies and drinkies (is that a word?), and one of our favourite haunts in the city centre is Australasia, so that’s where we went for a recent evening out.

Date Night Australasia

I can, hands down, demolish the entire menu at Australasia, but I do try to exercise some restraint. There’s two ways to eat there – the usual, starter – main – dessert, or a tapas style series of small plates. This time round we shared two small plates, then a big plate each…then a dessert…each. 

I’m going to get straight to the point – the food. It’s bloody good. It’s light, full of flavour and total fusion cooking. I’d say there’s something for everyone on this menu.

The obligatory bowl of edamame beans in a chilli salt saw us through the menu choosing. We can never resist the Seared teriyaki beef with sweet soy and spring onion which is served perfectly pink and melts in the mouth. I can even manage to eat this dish with chopsticks. And to go with it, we opted for the Soft shell crab which is in a light, crispy batter. The two dishes were a great combo and got inhaled rather quickly.

Next onto our big plates. I went for one of their flagship dishes – Crispy suckling pork belly with pineapple curry which I was told was the late Tim Bacon’s favourite. And we all know he had great taste. It really is delicious and the crackling on the pork belly is nicely crunchy but doesn’t crack your teeth when you bite into it. Instead it totally melts in your mouth. And look how gorgeous it looks on the place. I enjoyed mine with the Sticky coconut rice in lotus leaf. 

Hubby ordered the Roast lamb with green peas, confit lamb, goats cheese and basil jus and although I don’t like lamb, I have to admit that the balance of flavour in this dish is perfect. The goats cheese and the tender lamb work so well together. He had his with a side of Tenderstem broccoli. 

Then onto dessert. Well, it’d be rude not to wouldn’t it? There’s never a second thought for me – I have to have the Chocolate dome with peanut, salted caramel and raspberries. It’s literally everything I love in one dish and it’s a real show-stopper. The hot caramel sauce is poured over the chocolate dome on the table so it melts in front of you, revealing surprise sweet treats within.

As I was reluctant to share, hubby went for the Passionfruit cheesecake. I didn’t expect it to be so pretty on the plate – I love the presentation at Australasia – it really all does look perfect, with nothing out of place or thoughtlessly chucked on the plate.

Happily full and merry, our date night Australasia was a blast. We skipped home recounting the food we’d just eaten and planning our next date night.

I’ve written about Australasia before over the years and really do recommend it to anyone living in or visiting Manchester – you won’t be disappointed.

Where should we go for our next date night? All recommendations in Greater Manchester are welcome. 

If you like me foodie posts and restaurant reviews, be sure to check out my others – there’s some goodies on there.