Birthday Lunch at Australasia

It was my 21st birthday about a week back. Cousin promised to give me a treat for my birthday. Thus, he booked a place at Australasia for lunch. According to Google, Australasia serves modern Australian food including Japanese and Indonesian influences. It is a fine dining restaurant. 

Interior of Australasia

Introducing my cousin who had lunch with me

Lunch menu is served in Australasia during the weekdays from 12pm to 5pm. It is basically a menu of small dishes as the portions are really small. The price ranges from 11 pounds to 20 pounds depending on how many dishes you ordered. 

  2 for 11 pounds

  3 for 15 pounds

  4 for 20 pounds

My cousin and I decided to order 3 small dishes as appetizers. 

Mussels in coconut milk, chili and lime

The mussels are really good. They are fresh and the combination of coconut milk, chili and lime give it a zesty, refreshing flavor. I would highly recommend this.

Red fish curry with sticky jasmine rice

The fish is really soft and tender. The curry is good. However, I would prefer my curry to be spicier. This is just personal preference. 

Maki roll selection of tuna, salmon and spinach

I find this not memorable. Its okay but I guess just not up to my expectations. 

Both my cousin and I ordered a main course each.

Rack of lamb with polenta and Japanese aubergine

(19.50 pounds)

The lambs are pink in the middle. And in case you are wondering, polenta is cornmeal boiled into a porridge and eaten directly or baked, fried or grilled. (credits to Wikipedia) I enjoyed my main course. It taste really good and I really like the polenta despite its my first time trying it. 

I didn't manage to take a photo of cousin's main course. He ordered the 'Spiced duck breast with cherries, citrus jus and sweet potato puree'. I had a slice of duck breast. It is not bad but we both agreed that it is nothing to shout about. 

Mango souffle with coconut ice-cream and a mango soup

(7.50 pounds)

We ordered a dessert to share. All desserts here cost 7.50 pounds. The coconut ice-cream complements the mango souffle really well. The level of sweetness is just right. I personally don't like desserts that are too sweet. Will probably come back one day to try the chocolate souffle. 

The bill for this meal came to about 60.50 pounds. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. And thank you cousin!

Australasia

1 Spinningfield Way

Manchester 

M3 3AP