Greenpoint Brasserie at Domaine Chandon

727 Maroondah Highway

Coldstream 

VIC 3770

It had been a long time since we had visited the Greenpoint Brasserie at Domain Chandon in the Yarra Valley, but good memories of previous experiences there persuaded us to return with visitors staying briefly in Melbourne.

The setting amongst the tidy vines and gardens is idyllic.

The simple modern fit out make best use of the location, with views across to the Yarra ranges. We had a booking and were promptly shown to our seats, both the tasting bar and the restaurant were pretty busy, with a variety of patrons, some in decent sized groups.

The salmon rillette with capers and horseradish was served in a coffee cup and topped with a fine layer of jelly along with rye bread. The texture was great and although the flavour was pleasant it lacked some punch.

We shared the charcuterie platter this included a rustic Pork, apple and cabbage terrine, a much finer chicken liver parfait and Casalinga Sopressa for the carnivores. On the veggie side, the balsamic onions were the best pickled onions I can remember having, the mixed olives were good and I liked the sweet tomato and pepper caramel chutney. The only quibble would be the size of the board and servings given the $32 price tag.

Three of us ended up choosing the herb crusted hapuka, which I don't remember seeing outside of New Zealand before. The fish was fresh, firm and perfectly prepared with the crust adding texture and flavour. The nicola potato, asparagus, speck, parmesan and beurre blanc all added to the dish.

The lamb rack served with truffled white polenta, broad beans and tomato was the other dish sampled by our party and proved equally popular, as did the 2010 sparkling Rosé.

 

We found the service friendly, attentive and efficient. The bill with several glasses of wine came to $240 which didn't seem over the top given the quality of the food and wine. The afternoon we visited there were a reasonable number of flies around, and as guests were regularly using the sliding restaurant doors to wander in and out of the beautiful garden, plenty had made it inside, and certainly knew when our mains arrived. There isn't much that could be done, but it did leave a distinct entry in the memory bank. Domaine is certainly worth a visit if you are in the Yarra Valley for the combination of the food, wine and vistas.

View Foodscrazy restaurant map in a larger map

The Home Hotel, Launching Place

2170 Warburton Highway
Launching Place
VIC 3139

We've driven past the pub in Launching Place a few times, and the 'Home Hotel' chosen as a venue for Sunday lunch for 6 of us. From the outside it's hard to tell how what would await us. The sign in the glass above the door did provide a clue though...

It was definitely more traditional and cosy inside, with almost an English pub feel, although there were some traditional Aussie touches too. There were several other diners about, but it wasn't rammed. The menu featured some classic pub fayre, including steaks as well as some varitey. The specials list was as long as the regular menu!

Stu couldn't go past the chance to have his ritual Chicken Parma, a staple on every return visit to the country, and he wasn't disappointed on this occasion. 

The medium rare steak with vegies and roast potatoes, a special request which was easily accommodated, was highly rate. 

The special of duck on fennel and a rosti looked great, but was a little on the oily side.

I had the fish and chips, which was served with a good fresh salad. One of the pieces of flake was a little over done, but the other was great.

The service was good, attentive and efficient. The bill at just over $250 for 6 including a couple of drinks each and some coffees. It's a good place to stop if you are out and about exploring the beautiful scenery in the area.

View Foodscrazy restaurant map in a larger map

Hargreaves Hill

25 Bell St
Yarra Glen
VIC 3775

The Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company occupies a former bank on the main street in Yarra Glen.

Inside the first room contains a bar well stocked with the brewary's products. We ate in a side room, perfect for the six of us and the fire was a bonus too on a cold day. Towards the back of the building was a larger dining area, taken over with a group booking on this occaision.

I went for the tuscan bean minestrone for entree, it was thick and hearty with great flavours.

The salt and pepper squid was beatifully cooked and nicely spiced.

The prawn with chorizo and artichoke looked great and got good reports.

The steak sandwich looked the part and went down well.

I went for the Pale Ale battered fish with chips and green leaf salad. The batter was crisp and light, the fish moist and tasty and the chips crunchy.

The lamb pie with mushy peas looked amaxing and was enjoyed.

The Eggplant parmigiana was a surprise choice from a regular meat eater, but went down well, the sauce was very rich and it was topped with feta.

The pork was apparently beautifully cooked, and remained tender and slightly pink, and came with some great cabbage and bacon.

I quaffed a Hargreaves IPA with the meal which was lovely and hoppy. The wines also went down well. Service was friendly and pretty efficient, given a large group was also dining at the same time as us. Overall the bill came out at around $55 a head. Well worth a visit for a meal, or even to try the beers!




View Larger Map