The recent trend these days are for the big names to open up shop in the Yarra Valley. There's Ezard, and now there's 400 Gradi at Rochford, right opposite where Ezard is located actually.
I think it's a clever move because people want to dine at well known restaurants, and people driving all the way to the Yarra Valley won't be put off by paying some extra dollars for the occasion.
The new joint is a big black steel and glass cube with views to a lake and the vast expanse of green grass. When you drive into the winery, be prepared to walk about 200m from the carpark to the restaurant.
Loud music reverberates throughout the restaurant. There is minimal decor, they let the views outside be the decor since the scenery outside is beautiful - green slopes, the shimmering waters of a lake, blue skies... We went during the soft launch opening so there were a few teething issues. Especially with the ability to control the temperature and timing of the wood fire oven.
We ordered the meatballs ($17). Meatballs were hearty, but the tomato sauce lacks depth of taste. Bread was a little burnt, must have been because of the wood fire oven. We saw the chefs get their new pizza oven shovels just before cooking our lunch.
Margherita pizza ($22) was complimentary during their soft launch weekend. Came from a wood fire oven and you can see the burnt crust on one side of the pizza as proof... Would have preferred less burn.
Clam Linguine ($27). Not what you would order at a winery, but clams were fresh. Lots of splashes of olive oil, linguine was OK but not great. The clams were fresh.
It was a beautiful day. It was a little cold with the wind blowing but otherwise clear skies. We took a walk around the vineyard and visited the gift shop at the winery.
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