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Flames
Of The Forest Review
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There’s
a fire in the forest, and it’s been
deliberately lit. In fact, there’s 300
little flame pots, each lighting your
way to a night at FNQ’s most
‘natural’ gourmet venue. |
Flames of
the forest could be called flames in the
forest because your meal is served under
the canopy on the banks of the Mowbray
River. I suppose you could call it bush
tucker.
From
the moment you’re handed your arrival
champagne the odyssey begins, because, as
dining experiences go, this is more like a
journey into the heart of two very different
Australias. Of course there’s the great
Mod Oz nosh but there’s also the
indigenous welcoming party and dreamtime
storytelling of the local bama people, the
Kuku Yalanji, traditional custodians of the
rainforest. Between them, and the stunning
nocturnal forest environment, they feed your
body and maybe even your soul.
But
don’t panic, this ain’t no tacky theatre
restaurant. For starters, the food’s too
good. You eat, banquet style, at tables of
ten, (maybe making new friends and swapping
phone numbers), from a set menu that
includes tiger prawns with jackfruit
remoulade, steamed mangrove jack wrapped in
banana leaf, sumac and dukha encrusted
chicken breast, and steamed vegies from the
nearby tablelands. It all makes for a
wonderfully mixed evening of full flavoured
delight, a true fusion dining experience.
What’s more, they’re generous with the
servings, just as they are with topping up
your wine glass.
Before
they let you at the sweets, though, two Kuku
Yalanji brothers, Bilgamu and Goyu, arrive
to put everything into context. Here, as you
sip your wine, you learn about the
traditional life of the forest dwelling
peoples of north Queensland. Then, when they
kill the lights for a mo you have the chance
to experience the fabulous soundtrack of the
forest at night.
And
then
you get to dig into the coconut and
macadamia mousse served in a sugar snap
basket and topped with berries and
caramelised passionfruit coulis. (Oh yeah.)
To
top it all off, you don’t even have to
worry about driving, because Flames pick you
up and bus you in and out. What’s more, if
you ask nicely, you can book the place out
and arrange an alternative menu, wine list
and even floorshow pyrotechnics. In fact, my
dinner chum was busy imagining all kinds of
private party scenarios. Next time, for
sure.
Flames
Of The Forest - Port Douglas Australia
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