Restaurant Review: Mr Mason

Location: Tenancy 10, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9614 4500
Link: http://www.mrmason.com.au/
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

Starting at $15 for one course and an extra $5 for a glass of wine, the express lunch at Mr Mason represents good value.

Yellow fin tuna, heritage tomatoes, tapenade  (Express Lunch entree)

This was well-prepared. The tuna was fresh and the acidity of the tomatoes blended well with the saltiness of the tapenade. It was a pleasant start to our meal. 

Confit salmon, celeriac remoulade, quinoa (Express Lunch main)

Whilst not the freshest piece of salmon, it was cooked well and the celeriac remoulade paired nicely. 

Confit duck leg, rossini potato, golden beetroot, cherries (A la carte main)

This dish from the a la carte menu was the highlight of our lunch. The duck skin was beautifully crisp and the meat tender. The accompanying beetroot and figs brought freshness to the dish. It is clear that the items from the a la carte menu are a step up from the express lunch menu (which is justified given the difference in price). 

Mr Mason delivers pleasant food and a welcoming atmosphere. The express menu is good value but is clearly a level below the a la carte menu items. But as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The service was friendly and the food arrived promptly which is exactly what you want when you're having an "express lunch".