Nosh Restaurant & Bar (Rochester Park)

Sat on a small hilly area of the Rochester Park is a charming little restaurant named Nosh. The rustic nature embraced this beautiful white and black colonial styled property with both indoor (Air-Conditioned) dining areas for non-bug lovers and the airy outdoor dine and drinks platforms atop wooden raised flooring in an oversized shack.

On a cool evening such as this one and with the natural surroundings arousing of our spirits, we might as well donate some blood to the mosquitoes (but i didn't get one bite), as such we decided on the outdoor seats. Its rather quiet for a weekday evening but we spotted lovely large group seats which means this place could be pretty happening over the weekends. Dimly lit with candles and soft lighting, we practically had to turn on our mobile phone flashes to read the menu which seemed to be pretty lacking in choices.

We decided on a few interesting mains and sides and sat back to enjoy the beautiful surrounding while jazz pipes through the ceiling speakers. The bar is the most interesting piece, illuminated and lavishly decorated with all sorts of spirits and liquors with bar side seats for those who wish to hang and chit chat casually. Service was okay though its just another 2 tables occupied, the staff seemed to be rather non-chalent which in some way merges with the total feel of the place and not very likeable in my case.

Drinks were served and our sparkling white chilled to a good fizzle paired with some bread on the house and a red kinda salsa sauce. I could taste the tomato yet the other stuffs is kinda in a mess. The bread is a mix of crispiness on the skin and softness on the inside yet tasted fresh and appetizing.

Here goes the food:

The Purple Potato Gnocchi is a creamy salad dish with a mix of poached veg, mushroom and yam balls that left an extremely memorable truffle filled after-taste. Though the world Gnocchi don't make much sense yet we decided upon it because we wanted to try something bold. Interestingly, the first comment by our dear old friend who was infamous for his sarcasm was " What small plate and lots of food " it was obvious that this is his favourite dish at the end of the night. Yes... he attempted to lick up the plate but was dressed too gentlemanly to do just that!

The seared sea bass was a pretty delight though the plate still looked way too big for that neatly stacked food, yet the fish steak was nicely seared and cooked to the best taste. You could taste the freshness in the fish and the tangy salad pairs with it particularly well. Portion is good for not a big eater one and is a pretty dainty dish.

The veg pasta is a wowler! Beautiful stacked fettuccine, glittering with loads of colours from the Balsamic Portobello, Seared Artichoke, Sun-dried Tomato, Roasted Capsicum and Olive Tapenade. Fettuccine cooked to a good hardness and drizzled with aromatic spiced olive oil is yummy even if eaten by itself. Veg seared then tossed with the pasta retaining both colour and texture. An excellently executed dish.

The night ended with our food quickly cleared away. Like they always say, its either we couldn't get their attention or attention is given when its not needed! We just couldn't get them when we needed them and that was the service level of NOSH, though they were pleasant yet I expected a bit more than what I experienced. Food was good yet a little on the pricey side, dinner for 4 would lay you back about $160 with light drinks. Ambience and setting was fantastically dreamy and the place is great for events. Drinks and bar snacks are also available and I'm looking forward to try the bar snacks. Will return with my gang, this time dress to PARTY!