Eating Australia

I know, it’s been a while. Many of you who know me personally can attest to my notoriously lackluster record of keeping in touch. In any event I have vowed to get back on track, to post more often and aim at the heart of this blog, to communicate with all of you.

Part of my lapse, and by no means an excuse was my recent trip to Australia. Ten days of nothing but great wine, relaxation, inspiring food and some of the nicest people I have ever met. I won’t bore you with all the details but I will recommend a few spots that are worthy of your pilgrimage in and around Victoria.

First, the Yarra Valley, home to many great wine producers and some really great eats. If your ever heading up there, stay at the Healesville Hotel, right on the main drag in the center of town for some stylish accommodations and some seriously good grub. Eat in the tavern for a casual Aussie style dinner. We split a whole bunch of plates and to recommend one would be pointless. Everything is seasonal and written on the blackboard and from my experience you can’t go wrong. So cozy up to a VB or one of Yarra’s finest reds and enjoy the night by the fireplace.

As you travel south you will hit what is arguably the best Pinot producing area in Australia, the Mornington Peninsula. We had the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time with a tour and special Tasting from the man himself at Moorooduc Estate. Richard makes some killer Chardonnays and Pinots, all using wild yeasts. Pretty impressive seeing he is a doctor by day. Great stuff. While your there stop by Ten Minutes by Tractor winery, who make some pretty good vino, but also have a top notch restaurant worth a detour. The dining room seemingly hangs over the vineyard where we enjoyed a beautiful antipasto plate and great artisan bread.

Down and around to the Great Ocean Road, you will run into a little place called “A la Grecque”. Apparently transplants from Melbourne, this greek family knows how to cook. On a damp and rainy afternoon we tucked into a stew of chickpeas and chorizo sausage that would make you wish it was damp and rainy all the time. Next up was a superb Bruschetta of Pecorino Pecato and fall pears perched upon toasted bread with a walnut pesto that was so gorgeous I declared it the best dish of our trip.

On to Melbourne, restaurant capital of Oz. Unfortunately, we hit Melbourne during Easter weekend which meant lots of places where closed, but fortunately we found a few that were definitely worth mentioning. First, the European, a classy all day café with superb coffee, attentive service and classy European fare. Have breakfast, lunch or dinner, it doesn’t matter, it will all be good, maybe not memorable but a great place to relax and watch the time go by. Next up Bar Lourinha, a hip little tapas joint with perhaps the best cocktail I have ever consumed. Get it, its called the “townbike” or something like that. Ridiculously good, flavored with pomegranate juice, rose water, prosecco and Frangelico it is not to be missed. The food is also notable, smoky eggplant with crème fraiche was reminiscent of red meat and the kingfish crudo scented with lemon and thyme was insanely fresh and cut perfectly. Little nuggets of chorizo in apple cider braised onions were beautiful. All in all a great trip. Holidays around great food and drink are something I always cherish. Till next time…