Guaranteed culinary finesse.
Hunter Valley is a haven for farm to table dining concepts. With seasonal ingredients from kitchen gardens and sprawling vineyard views, one can savour modern Australian meals in upscale, light-filled locales. Guaranteed friendly hospitality and culinary finesse at a reasonable price, a happy tummy emerges from eating mindfully well.
Restaurant Botanica
555 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Image by Spicers Retreats
Three Course Dinner Experience at $79pp
Entrée – Duck liver pate, garden pickles, sourdough crisp
Main – Beef fillet, sage, onion, chard, red foo potatoes
Dessert – Chocolate, fig, honey
Situated at the picturesque vineyard guesthouse retreat, Spicers Vineyards Estate, Restaurant Botanica greets with a warm, inviting fireplace. The best wines are the ones we drink with friends, reads the wall by the wine cellar.
A romantic spot for gourmet travelers, the dining room looks out across the vineyard to the Brokenback Mountain Range. The menu is Mediterranean yet regionally distinctive in style, with influences from seasonal changes in the kitchen garden.
Focused on freshness, the restaurant works closely with local producers to create bespoke dishes for each season and menu. This culinary philosophy paves the way for sustainable business practices in Hunter Valley.
When we departed after dinner, the sky glittered with stars, the still air just showing signs of a cold, wintry night. If you are too contented to leave, choose a dine and stay package that includes overnight accommodation in a luxurious spa suite with views overlooking the vines.
Margan Restaurant
1238 Milbrodale Road, Broke NSW 2330, Australia
Image by Destination New South Wales
The Original 100 Metre Meal at $70pp
(two course with matched wine, available every lunch in May and June)
Fresh olives and aged 2011 vintage Chardonnay for aperitif
Artisanal bread and homemade butter
Rack of lamb with seasonal greens
Margan’s hens on the loose
Located in the scenic village of Broke, Margan are the leaders in ‘Agri Dining’. Their Original 100 Metre Meal showcases the provenance of their estate grown, estate made produce. Everything from reared lamb, garden vegetables, orchard fruits, free range eggs and olives were grown from 100m of Margan’s restaurant table. Matched with Margan Wine made from 100 hectares of beautiful Margan vineyards, this is a decadent yet simple dining affair with a modern Australian spin.
The good people at Margan are firm believers in respectful animal husbandry. All poultry, fish and animals are raised humanely and sustainably. The ‘nose to tail’ philosophy shows respect for the entire animal, utilising prime cuts and secondary ones with their own charcuterie production. This includes prosciutto, coppa and pancetta.
A great wine list stands out at Margan. Well stocked with current and back vintage Margan wines, it also features a collection of other Hunter greats and international gems from Andrew Margan’s own private collection.
Nestled in the Hunter Valley region, diners can kick back with a complete food and wine experience where seasonally inspired cuisine is matched with award-winning wines.
Bistro Molines
749 Mount View Road, Mount View NSW 2325, Australia
Image by Bistro Molines
Lunch Mains Starting From $38
Pané Lamb Brains with Caper, Tomato and Garlic Butter
Veal of the Day
Dessert Special of the Day
Lunch With A View
Bistro Molines serves refined Australian influenced French food in a light-filled restaurant, complete with country-chic decor and vineyard views. As soon as you arrive, one could quickly imagine she was in the South of France. Wrought iron chairs, casual flower arrangements and vines that stretch almost as far as the eye can see all speak ‘Provence’.
Combining the finest food with relaxed friendly service and European influenced serenity, visitors will be cocooned in an atmosphere of hospitality at this little orchard cottage.
With a loyal following of locals and visitors from Sydney and beyond, the menu reflects a commitment to locally sourced, in season produce. All incorporated into long time favourites with a modern twist.
Bistro Molines’ menu does not stray far from the owner’s French roots. Each dish pays tribute to Robert’s native Provence. You can take le français out of la France, but you can never take la France out of le français.
Il Cacciatore Restaurant
609 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Image by Il Cacciatore
Dinner Mains Starting From $34
Gluten-free pan seared scallops with spiced carrot puree, parsley oil and chorizo crumb
Vegan smoked and herb crusted beef carpaccio with parmesan, capers, anchovy dressing and crostini
Tiramisu (image by Il Cacciatore)
Lamb shoulder (image by Il Cacciatore)
Duck tortellini (image by Il Cacciatore)
There is something for everyone at Il Cacciatore. Even vegans and gluten-intolerant folks can get some Italian goodness at this traditional tavern in the Hunter Valley outback.
Offering hearty dishes in an authentic atmosphere, Hermitage Lodge’s award-winning Il Cacciatore specialises in Northern Italian inspired cuisine. Expect a menu filled with the North’s famous white truffle, Parmesan cheese, Parma ham, Balsamic vinegar, Barolo and Chianti wines.
At Il Cacciatore, the ambience is relaxed and casual. The service is professional, friendly and attentive. The menu, which embraces all that Northern Italy has to offer, is the star.
Using fresh ingredients, the seasonal menu takes advantage of local produce, authentic Italian ingredients and house made pastas. There are no second bests, only quality foods to guarantee diners a jolly good time.
This story is part of a media junket organised by Destination New South Wales. For more information, please visit http://www.visitnsw.com/.
