Cinco Bistro

My good friend Jodi dragged the girls over the south side of town to her favourite restaurant, Cinco Bistro at Camp Hill, last night and we were pleased she did. This is a delightful restaurant, where a large number of patrons were obviously enjoying good food and good company.

We sat at the rear of the restaurant and enjoyed a glass of champagne to start - a reward for breaking away on a busy day and making time to enjoy the company of good friends.

Although the entrees were tempting and one dinner companion was very disappointed to find dessert was the preferred option, we decided not to indulge. Even chef/owner Peter Stubbs' tempting offer of a very special foi gras could not shake our resolve.

Our choices included Braised Wagyu Beef Cheeks, Mustard Creamed Potato, Garlic Confit and Shallots which was very well received and Roasted Pork Loin, Crackling, Celeriac Puree, Pedro Prunes and Fresh Apple Salad which was another success. My selection was the House-smoked Chicken Breast, Apple & Blue Cheese Risotto and Broccolini which was wonderful. The smoked chicken was distinctive yet delicate and the blue cheese flavoured risotto was strong but delicious. It was visually pleasing, a great combination and well balanced by the broccolini which had its own yummy sauce. We added Green Beans, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Lemon as a dish to share which worked well.

Nobody wanted to share dessert so we all chose our favourites. The Hot Chocolate and Frangelico Souffle and Hazelnut Ice Cream looked amazing but the Fine Apple Tart, Vanilla Icecream and Caramel Sauce was the plate appeal winner on the night. My choice was the Blueberry Pavlova Roll, Passionfruit Curd and Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream which was as delicious as I expected. The slight tartness of the curd was a wonderful foil for the sweetness of the other elements.

Peter Stubbs has worked under some of Britain’s most famous chefs and spent 15 years in France, the US and the Caribbean as “Private Chef to the Rich and Famous” on their yachts. He has entertained such dignitaries as David Rockefeller, Vicente Fox (the current Mexican President), David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Robin Williams, Roman Abramovich, Irene Yeltsin and Boris Berezofski.

The simple but complex flavours, great combinations and contrasts and delightful setting are just some of the reasons why people keep coming back to this restaurant. It's also great to walk out of a restaurant feeling satisfied after an enjoyable meal but not overstuffed with rich food. Congratulations Peter!