Age is only relative....

As the circle of life continues to turn, so it is that I turn another year older. And in all honesty I was quite happy to have a nice subdued birthday without too much fanfare. Which it was thank goodness. However, of very special note is the fact that Miss R took me to a restaurant....and not just any restaurant either, I mean, we're not talking TGI Fridays or the local RSL. No, this was much bigger than that. It was Jamie Oliver's Fifteen. If you haven't heard of Fifteen, then please, re-join the human race. At last count he has only opened Fifteens in London, Cornwall, Amsterdam and yes, you guessed it, little old Melbourne. So, having been subjected to a whirlwind launch last year and subject of a reality TV show, you would expect that this place would be packed out. Well, it wasn't, in fact the rumours of a 3 month waiting list are decidedly unfounded. It was probably 70% full and this was a Friday night. The meal started with a cocktail each. I chose some sort of Grand Marnier + Basil concoction. The flavour was very overpowering and definitely not something one could drink all night. The word 'tart' wouldn't fully describe it. We were ushered to our tables by some very genuinely nice floor staff. The interior of Fifteen would be summed up in luxury gothic type feel. Black tables and chairs and walls, dark burgundy trim here and there, but it still didn't feel enclosing despite the small space. We started with a bruchetta which was stacked high with tomato and Gorgonzola cheese. Again the flavours were spectacular, but this time, at least, not so overpowering to leave one gasping for air. I opted for the sirloin steak in the end. Other alternatives such as quail didn't really float my boat. You can always judge a restaurants steak by the steak knife they give you, and, well, the steak knife was practically a butter knife with a sharper point. And oh my god the steak. Seriously, I have never had a steak like this one. It had been sliced and arranged on a rudimentary salad. It was melt in your mouth goodness, and actually not all that small a dish as you would expect from a high end restaurant. Which brings me onto dessert. A large piece of the most chocolately of all chocolate tarts. Magnificent if only for a bit more ice cream on the side to dilute the richness a bit. By the end I was full which was pleasing considering that many expensive restaurants these days have you heading to the Macca's drive through on the way home. Just brilliant.