Rockpool at Crown ,Melbourne ,Australia

This signature Australian restaurant is run by one of Oz's best known celebrity chefs ,Neil Perry .It is within Crown ,a 6 star hotel and casine complex but far removed from any hotel dining experience I've ever had !!

Amazing grass or grain fed air-dried beef on display(no cryovaccing here) ,sold by breed and cut ---Wagyu ,Hereford ,Angus ,weighed and sold by weight as well --exceptional sides and salads --I had a Lobster omelette to die for last week , a simple dish but extraordinary flavours served with aplomb .

One of Australia's best wine lists ,funded by an American dotcom billionaire !! best vintages from around the world ,served by knowledgable but not obsequious staff .Prices from $80 bottle to the stratosphere ,many thousands for some older French wines .

And a wonderful array of single malt whiskys to finish off with as you sit in the cocktail lounge for coffee and liqueurs .

Expensive but one of the world's great dining experiences --quality produce determining a great menu is thier claim .

I'll have to plan a visit next time I'm in Australia. Sounds splendid. (I won't be buying those top-of-the line wines, as that kind of money goes toward the plane ticket. But that lobster omelet sounds worthwhile -- and Australia has some mighty nice lobsters. Thanks for the tip.

The lobster omelette was the special of the day -very special it was too .

Excellent wines by the glass as I had a Grosset reisling from the Clare in South Australia with the omelette ,very suitable match .With the beef I had a Yalumba Menzies Coonawarra Cab .Sauv which was superb ,and at the lower end of their price list .

Another touch is the superb site-baked sourdough bread served with some magnificent brand of French butter (excessive food miles but it was the only imported food we ate ) .

I usually avoid restaurants like these but Neil Perry puts on a grand dining experience like no other ---for a special event or birthday ,its the best .If price was no concern ,I'd eat there every other day ,and mix with the movers and shakers of Melbourne !