The Nordic French restaurant Aster, situated in Victoria’s new foodie hub, Nova Victoria, has just launched a six course ‘Taste of Aster’ menu created by Finnish Executive Chef Helena Puolakka in partnership with Laurent Perrier. The menu aims to transport guests on a journey through some of the world’s greatest kitchens, paired perfectly with Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
Helena was brought up on the south-west coast of Finland, which has had a direct impact on her cooking, bringing the uncomplicated and distinct flavours of Scandinavia together with the traditional skills of her French training. The exciting combination of the bold flavours from the North with the cooking techniques of France is showcased at Aster.
The first dish on the menu starts with the fresh flavours of scallop carpaccio with a sea buckthorn curd and lemon juniper dressing which come from her time at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant, Aubergine, where her love for scallops developed. Years later, she created this dish incorporating her flavours of Nordic sea buckthorn to complement “the vibrant sweetness of scallops next to the depth of spice from the buckthorn, and the freshness of lemon rounds it off,” Helena comments.
The second dish is inspired from her time in Paris, where she fell in love with Pierre Gagnaire’s pomme purée at Atelier Robuchon. Helena’s memory of this has shaped the next course, potato mousseline with smoked vendace, bleak roe and dill oil.
The following three courses are influenced by Helena’s time with Pierre Koffmann, which include foie gras poached in port with tender swede, baby spinach and a fennel melba, var confit salmon with green apple, anchovy and crispy kale, and roast Anjou pigeon with turnips, January king cabbage and a vin jaune sauce.
The final course is a complex and intricate dish of spiced beetroot sponge with a chocolate ganache and smoked beetroot sorbet, inspired by Helena’s ex-pastry chef at Aster, Olivier Mourellon.
