Verge

Introduction: Highly regarded Japanese influenced modern restaurant at 1 Flinders Lane deserves the high ratings of the Age Good Food Guide and Gourmet Traveller
Ambience: Bare concrete walls and ceiling contrast with the snow white table linen, good quality cutlery and the pleasant views across Spring Street if you get an appropriate table. A little stark but inoffensive. The tables are VERY close to each other. At the next table I could not help overhearing world renowned Swedish trombonist, composer and conductor Christian Lindbergh. Ranked with Louis Armstrong I was delighted to hear him perform later that night with the Australian Chamber Orchestra! 6/10
Service: Pleasing waitress made us feel we had chosen well. The long wait between courses was immediatewly rectified on our request 7/10
Food: There is a 5 course tasting menu for $80 with a $5 surcharge if you have the Wagyu porterhouse (we did) Unlike most degustation menus, which remove the need for thought except to ask for a change where something does not suit, at Verge the patron chooses any 5 dishes from the regular menu.
We had Crab and pickled cucumber, makerel and Diakon maki, a Tortellini of brandade, fresh horseradish, bisque sauce, a confit of salmon 'escabesche', salmon caviar, cauliflower and tofu puree, Chargrilled beef brisket, sweet and sour turnips, mustard miso with grade 7 Wagyu and dessert of Millefeuille of pear and hazelnut, and Maracaibo chocolate sorbet.
Every dish was beautifully presented - art on a plate. Colourfully arranged the tastes were always interesting and sometimes exquisite. The salmon was wonderful and although the brisket was overcooked and therefore rather dry the sweet and sour turnips and mustard miso was unbelievable. 8.5/10
Wine; They have a highly regarded wine list with good range from $10 to $15 a glass
We completed the meal with tea and Petit fours - $2 each and delicious
Price: Entrees around $17 Mains ariond $35 desserts $15 On the expensive side but reasonable value
Comments: Regretably my camera gave up the ghost that morning and I was unable to photograph the dishes. They really were a delight to the eye as well as the taste buds.
Score: 15.5/20