This review of Colborne Lane is based on my Summerlicious 2012 experience.
For $45, you do get a taste of what Colborne Lane offers and the meal is really delightful. The menu is just like a math equation with ingredients and sauces adding up to create your dish with artistic /interesting plating. We ended up trying:
Appetizer:
popped corn soup + pork belly + double smoked bacon + crème fraiche = a curry like soup reminds me of Khao Soi and the only missing thing is the noodle
cured salmon + ponzu vinaigrette + radish salad + soy sauce snow + pickled ginger + puffed tapioca = a great mix of different texture and different taste, the puffed tapioca reminds me of rice crackers!
Main:
striploin + smoked parsnip + puffed wheat berries + black garlic + watercress = tender and the only more fulfilling dish for the night...
rock hen + romesco sauce + hen of the woods mushrooms + gnocchi + stuffed torpedo onion = interesting combination and love the gnocchi, hen cooked nicely with the crispy skin
Dessert: = Best part of the meal as usual
caramelized banana + peanut butter + hazelnut + dulce de leche = an orgy of different texture, temperature, taste. Definitely an adventure for my taste buds!!
warm chocolate cookie + milk ice sorbet + cocoa nib + wild blueberries = meh... Cookie a little dry and crunchy
Food portion definitely small but everything nicely prepared.
Talking about the noise level of Colborne Lane! In order for my date to hear me, I have to shout at her even she was just sitting right across from me. Definitely don't come here for a romantic date...
Service is decent under the circumstances during Summerlicious.
I definitely interested in coming back for their tasting menu which is quite interesting and unique.