The Apprentice is the restaurant run by the hospitality students in Tafe, Ultimo. Value for money? tick. Nervous waiters? tick tick.
First obstacle was finding the actual building - a bit stressful when you know they have restrictive seating hours hence need to be there on time. But successfully arrived and wasgreeted by nervous student waiters. How cute.
This place is not the place for a fine dine experience, but more of a 'lets see what the students can cook up' experience, as each night a different student prepares the menu and serves set courses to its guinea pigs (i.e. you).
We were welcomed by a mini blue sky cocktail concoction of Malibu, Curacao, Pineapple Monin and Milk with a sugar rim on the glass. Quite sweet and somehow resembled the antibiotics that i used to take. haha.
That night we had a choice of appetizers - Camramelised Onion Tart or Seared Tuna Salad. Must admit i quite liked the seared tuna as the tuna's silky texture complimented well with the bed of beans and beetroot. Simple but nice.
Entrees were the Prawn Bisque, Warm Thai Chicken Salad or Fried Wonton with dipping sauce. The prawn bisque was spot on. Rich, smooth and full of flavour in a very invitingly big soup bowl. The chicken in the thai salad was a bit too dry but came in generous portions and crispy fresh greens.
Next came the main. Choice of: Cajun Flat Head Fillet with cucumber, asparagus and fragrant rice; Lamb Loin Baked in Filo Pastry with couscous; Pork Medallions with calvados sauce and mashed potatoes; Slow Cooked Duck Legs with braised lentils du puy; or Lentil Patties with asian noodles.
My duck leg was nice and juicy with crunchy potatoes garnished on top. Presentation was not the best - brown on brown just doesnt look nice.
The pork was definitly too dry and tasted like the home style pork cutlets that we make. The caramelised apples were great though.
Dessert comprised of Coffee and Vanilla Bavarois with chocolate macadamia wafer, Tiramisu or Sticky Date and Peacan Pudding with caramel sauce.
The sticky date pudding was light with gutsy flavours however came out lopsided on the place. A bit disappointed =(
The bavarois was creamy on the palette with a nice wafer accompliment to break through the cream.
Think the highlight was our super nervous waiter who was always too scared to interupt our conversations and end up standing behind us until someone spots him. You do feel bad
for them as they are so nervous and flustered, so any mistake is quickly forgiven.
The Apprentice Restaurant
Level 7, Building E
TAFE, Ultimo College
Harris Street, Ultimo
