Brae Restaurant

We went to Brae for our wedding anniversary. It had been on my list for years, and this was the perfect reason to tick it off the bucket list.

I had read many reviews, so knew the standout would be the accommodation, which didn’t disappoint. It was modern, spacious, and relaxing. Very lovely.

However, I wasn’t sure what to expect regarding the food based on what I had heard from others.

Disappointingly, we were underwhelmed by the food. I’m not quite sure how to explain it, other than we only loved 2 of the dishes, and we didn’t finish a few dishes because they weren’t very nice (even basic things, like the bread and home made butter). Some flavours were strong and overpowering, and other dishes were bland – the balance was off. There were limited non alcoholic drinks on the menu for those not drinking. In our view, our lunch was certainly not worth the price tag, and I’d be spending my time and money at other fine dining restaurants instead.

Me and my partner had dinner here last Wednesday. With high expectations we sat down at our table. As it got darker outside the bright light above our table ruined the atmosphere. The lights couldn’t be dimmed so we moved tables, but that didn’t solve the problem.

The service was pretty good but we expected it to be more personal to make it a real experience.

The food and wine were a bit disappointing as well. We only had one meat dish and one red wine over the whole evening! We both didn’t feel the WOW effect, what you would expect from such a restaurant with this price tag.

Astonishingly good. Good food was expected but the service was flawless and rooms were way above expectations, the record selection for the turntable was great. Our only minor point of contention was maybe too few Australian wines in the matched set, all good selections but I am sure an extra Aussie or two would fit in.

My second visit to Brae brought with it a mix of expectations and déjà vu. This esteemed restaurant, ranking 57th in the world, has a reputation that precedes it, and its cooking philosophy is clearly the driving force behind its acclaim. However, as I revisited the menu, my feelings had evolved. While the food remained undeniably good, it fell short of the amazing culinary experience I had anticipated.

One notable aspect was the familiarity of the menu compared to my previous visit. Most of the items seemed reminiscent, lacking the element of surprise I had hoped for. At a hefty price tag of $370 for the course, one naturally expects a symphony of flavors that leaves a lasting impression, and in this regard, Brae left me slightly wanting.

On the brighter side, the wine pairing was a highlight. The carefully selected wines complemented the dishes impeccably, enhancing the overall dining experience. The sommelier’s expertise shone through, making it a noteworthy component of the evening.

In conclusion, while Brae’s food may not have been the mind-blowing experience I had hoped for, its culinary philosophy and wine pairing make it a noteworthy destination for those who appreciate the subtleties of fine dining. However, be prepared to indulge your taste buds at a premium cost.

Amazing food, accomodation and staff! Dishes well thought out and paced presentation to keep you interested but not overwhelmed. Accomodation is next level with room in both time and space to relax and enjoy the well thought out ammenities. Highly recommended to go for a walk the morning after to explore where your food came from yesterday.