Persimmon - Melbourne - NGV

Name: Persimmon at the National Gallery of Victoria

Address: Ground Level, NGV
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Call NGV and follow prompts - 8620 2222

Food: ModOz
Average price: Entree - $16, Main - $25, Dessert - $15.

Complimentary: 6 pieces of bread with butter.


Potato, leek & basil oil soup, octopus, chorizo, scallop


Ryan loved the textural differences as well as the saltiness from the seafood in contrast to the creamy potato and leek soup and the strong basil.

Battered & sauteed pear, pear & ginger sorbet, ginger cake, micro basil


This was packed full of flavour. It was heady with ginger and hints of spice whilst the pear added a crisp, freshness that complimented the ginger well. Everyone loved this.

We ordered:

Watercress & horseradish bavarois, baby beetroot, candied walnuts, onion wafer, Puy lentils - $15

After tasting a small portion of this last time we couldn't pass up the chance for a larger plate. The flavours, textures and visual colours are perfect. The sweet onion, walnut and beetroot with the earthy lentils and peppery bavarois is delicious.

Roast Tasmanian salmon, toasted cous cous, smoked tomato jam, red wine emulsion - $25


Dad ordered this - it was as tasty as it was last time. The only difference was substituting rose petals with pansies.

Braised veal osso bucco, chick peas, bone marrow & herb crust - 28


Ryan ordered this again - loved it, this time it had more vegetables.

Jap pumpkin risotto, toasted pine nuts, Roquefort, baby basil - $22


This was ok - the rice was a little chewy and I found the pumpkin was watery, it dissipated as soon as it hit my tongue and I couldn't really taste the pumpkin. The cheese was quite strong and overcame the water pumpkin immediately followed by a faint toastiness of the pine nuts.

Chocolate brownie, croissant ice cream, hazelnut cream, griotte cherry gel, coffee chocolate dust - $15


Dad ordered this - the serving was a little larger this time with the addition of a pansy. It was yummy and decadent.

Tonka bean brulee, pistachio ice cream - $15


Ryan ordered it this time - I found it wasn't as thick and firm as it was last time, which was a pity. It was more like a custard today and not as perfumed with tonka bean. The sugar crust was perfect again.

Glazed lemon tart, orange marmalade ice cream, mandarin segments - $ 14


This looked fantastic. The tart had a caramelised sugar top with was delicious as was the luscious, lemon curd beneath. The pastry was a little on the thick side and so tended to compete with the lemon a little. The marmalade ice cream was subtle at first before bold, bitter marmalade comes through and then gives way to the juicy, citrus segments.

Drinks: Mocha - $4


Dad said this was nice, more chocolate-y and sweet then he is used to.

Chai Latte - $4.


These were quite subtly spiced and very milky.

Cost: $176 for 3 entrees, 3 mains, 3 desserts, 2 chai's and 1 mocha.

Service: Fantastic. The service is always flawless.

Atmosphere: Great. The window seats are lovely as the booth seating is very comfy and the view of the gardens is really calming. It can get a little noisy when full but the tables are well spaced. The dark interior helps to frame the gorgeous outside surroundings.


Parking: Limited as car spots are generally taken - although a tram runs along St Kilda rd, and Flinders station is not far down the road. We managed to get a car park a block down the road and there are side streets you might get lucky with. There is also underground gallery parking which is $12 for non-members.

Website: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvinternational/persimmon.html

Hours: Daily 11am to 4pm (except Tuesdays).

Would I return: Yes.