Bright and the Alpine High Country are renown for their vast selection of award winning restaurants, pubs and cafe's. From true country style pub fare to silver service fine dining, the choice is yours:Simone's is probably the best known restaurant in Bright (about 12 km from us).The Age Good Food guide 2008 yet again awarded Patricia Simone's creations Two Chef's Hats (16/20 points) and the restaurant is often referred to as one of the best restaurants in country Victoria. The Good Food Guide refers to "excellent, rustic Italian flavors", they make their own pasta and Chef Patricia Simone only uses fresh local produce. Extensive wine list featuring 250 labels with 65% local wines and a good sprinkle of interesting Italians.
Provenance (Beechworth, about 50 km) Michael Ryan opened his previous restaurant "range" in Myrtleford in early 2006 and has since been awarded two prestigious Chef's Hats by The Age Good Food Guide 2008 and was also voted "Best Country Restaurant Victoria 2008" by the Good Food Guide. His newly opened restaurant (now in picturesque Beechworth) promises to deliver the same classy dining in (what we think) an even better setting. Michael Ryan's small, clever wine list reflects the region and current international tastes at very attractive prices.
Villa Gusto (in the Buckland Valley - about 1.2 km from our studios). The Villa’s restaurant has been awarded 14.5/20 points by The Good Food Guide 2008 for their 5 course set degustation menus which are created daily with what ever fresh local produce is available ($70/person excl. drinks). Great atmosphere/setting in a Tuscan style villa, limited seating. Some of our guests actually walked there for dinner. Bookings ahead are mandatory because the Villa does not cater to walk-in diners and tends to be very busy on weekends.
Poplars (Bright) - Fine French Bistro Cuisine – received 14/20 points in The Good Food Guide 2008 for their: "menu of Bistro favorites, the relaxed but smart dining room with its white-clothed tables…..from French onion soup & terrine move on to coq au vin, duck confit and steak frites. Especially decadent is a chocolate soufflé, served with a liqueur chocolate ganache." (some of our French guests had dinner at Poplars and thought it was fabulous).
Wardens Food & Wine (Beechworth, about 58 km) – have been awarded their first Chef Hat (15/20 points) in 2007. "Beef Carpaccio ‘salted’ with crumbled parmigiano reggioano and baby capers, ravioli filled with chicken and mushrooms, blanketed with a rich porcini sauce are just some examples of Chef Douglas Elder (formerly Villa Gusto) love of all food Italian".
Wine and Cheese Bar - opposite Bright Visitor Information Centre - the newest venture of the enterprising owners of 5 Star Adventure Tours, it offers regional tasting and cheese platters, home made cakes and local cold climate wines. Great place to have pre-dinner drinks and nibblies or lunch.
Sasha's, small place in the center of Bright, specializes in "Chech/European" food but also good Aussie fare, their ducks are a specialty and the menu sometimes features pork knuckles, Goulash or "real" Schnitzel. Received a positive review in The Age Good Food Guide 2008
Sol e Luna , (Bright - opposite Visitor Information Centre) - opened in late 2008 with an enticing Italian menu. Very popular with the locals, great service. Offers al fresco dining where you can watche the world go by.... (open every day except Mondays for lunch and dinner, late seatings welcome - great for late arrivals)
The Oriental, Bright – small cosy place in Bright’s most historic hotel. French Chef, French/Australian menu – great food, friendly and efficient service.
92 on Gavan, Bright - best location in town, rustic atmosphere in a historic building. Modern Australian and International kitchen, good food, great choice, realistic prices.
roksalt simply c-food - Bright - certainly not your traditional fish and chip shop: fabulous fish either grilled or Japanese Tempura battered, all potatoes hand cut, variety of yummy salads and vegetarian meals. All meals cooked to order, mostly take away, small in-shop seating area.
Café Chiaro – Bright - definitely best pizza in the region, traditional and "gourmet" varieties. Very small place (seats about 15) with sometimes a bit "scratchy" music from 60’s, 70’s and 80’s records – very friendly and rather eccentric owner/pizza cook. The “gourmet” pizze are in particular worth a try.
This is of course only a small selection of restaurants in the area - we simply listed the ones that we like best, which is not to say that others are not worth trying. If you are worried about driving,a taxi service to and from Bright is available most days (approximately $ 50 to Bright and back) Fine Alpine High Country food and luxury accommodation at The Buckland - a match made in heaven!
We are happy to take care of your dinner bookings, just let us know when and where!
....and if you are planning to travel to Europe, in particular Germany, keep in mind 'Anton's Steaks': Located in Puhlheim, a short distance from Cologne, Anton's Steaks offers a sophisticated menue of best quality steaks sourced from Argentinia, cooked to perfection and complimented by seasonal produce and game specialities. An absolute MUST on any European travel agenda. |
