JW2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

This was our first visit to Lochiel House and our fifth stop during our Mountains restaurant crawl. There isn't much that we can say that isn't already mentioned below in other reviews. This place is a real stand out.

Its great to have wait staff that have a true love and knowledge of the food. Their warmth and friendliness really makes you feel at home. And how could anyone find a better location than this charming old Inn for the restaurant sight.

Our entrees: The lamb's brains for me and the goat's curd souffle were wonderful, great flavours and presentation!

Mains: The drunken rabbit was great, it really hit the right note. My wife's slow cooked pork was tender and flavorsome.

Our desserts were also really good. My Rugalach, which I believe is a Jewish dessert was lovely. My wife's soft meringue roulade was truly magical. We wish that we'd been here earlier, its been on our radar for years. We can't wait to get back!

Aug 26, 2010

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

This was our first visit to Restaurant Como. and our first stop on a Mountains Restaurant crawl. First impressions from the outside have you thinking 'is this it?' and have you worried. But once you're through the doors you forget its car park, back of the shops location. The dining room is really lovely.

The services is personal, very knowledgeable and efficient. Its great to get that warm and friendly service which is often hard to find these days. We hoped to have the tasting menu, but after a big lunch, we went with three courses.

The first thing we notice from our food and from looking around the room, is the presentation. Every plate is a true work of art. My entree was the citrus cured Ocean Trout, beautiful to look at and equally beautiful to eat. My wife had the Quail and game terrine, one of the best we have had.

When the mains arrived, I was worried that the high expectations from the entrees might disappoint us, as we have experienced at many restaurants. But we were very wrong. My Herb crusted NZ venison was perfect, I could eat that dish every night and never get sick of it! My wife's slow cooked duck was really really good.

We shared the two desserts that we got: Sticky flour-less chocolate cake and the rosewater meringue. Both very enjoyable, and we now understand what all fuss is about, the meringue is a real standout dessert. This place has by far the best regional food, and is up there with the best in Australia. We are currently doing what ever we can to get back for the tasting menu!

Thank you for such a lovely evening.

Aug 26, 2010

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Our first visit with the new chef Carl Middleton. This was our second stop on our Mountains restaurant crawl. The three things that we always love about darley's are:

The polished, knowledgeable service, the beautiful setting and the food. The service was as always, friendly, informed and professional. The dining room was comfortable and as beautiful and charming as always.

Overall the food doesn't hit the highs of Hugh's days here, but in saying that we thought it was at a very consistent level. In the past we would find that some dishes were amazing, but others fell short. But now all dishes seem to be at a wonderfully consistent level. Which as far as we could see is good, as you know what you're going to get.

The pressed Guinea fowl with foie gras was delightful. As was the suckling pig and the Lambs shoulder. The Vanilla ice cream with mango sorbet and meringue was a great finish to the night. My wife raved about the pear tarte tatin. The prices are at the higher end in the mountains, but it represents very good value.

Great to see Darley's still being a very strong force in the mountains. And you have to love their wine list!

Aug 26, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

This was our first visit to Lochiel House and our fifth stop during our Mountains restaurant crawl. There isn't much that we can say that isn't already mentioned below in other reviews. This place is a real stand out.

Its great to have wait staff that have a true love and knowledge of the food. Their warmth and friendliness really makes you feel at home. And how could anyone find a better location than this charming old Inn for the restaurant sight.

Our entrees: The lamb's brains for me and the goat's curd souffle were wonderful, great flavours and presentation!

Mains: The drunken rabbit was great, it really hit the right note. My wife's slow cooked pork was tender and flavorsome.

Our desserts were also really good. My Rugalach, which I believe is a Jewish dessert was lovely. My wife's soft meringue roulade was truly magical. We wish that we'd been here earlier, its been on our radar for years. We can't wait to get back!

Aug 26, 2010

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

This was our first visit to Restaurant Como. and our first stop on a Mountains Restaurant crawl. First impressions from the outside have you thinking 'is this it?' and have you worried. But once you're through the doors you forget its car park, back of the shops location. The dining room is really lovely.

The services is personal, very knowledgeable and efficient. Its great to get that warm and friendly service which is often hard to find these days. We hoped to have the tasting menu, but after a big lunch, we went with three courses.

The first thing we notice from our food and from looking around the room, is the presentation. Every plate is a true work of art. My entree was the citrus cured Ocean Trout, beautiful to look at and equally beautiful to eat. My wife had the Quail and game terrine, one of the best we have had.

When the mains arrived, I was worried that the high expectations from the entrees might disappoint us, as we have experienced at many restaurants. But we were very wrong. My Herb crusted NZ venison was perfect, I could eat that dish every night and never get sick of it! My wife's slow cooked duck was really really good.

We shared the two desserts that we got: Sticky flour-less chocolate cake and the rosewater meringue. Both very enjoyable, and we now understand what all fuss is about, the meringue is a real standout dessert. This place has by far the best regional food, and is up there with the best in Australia. We are currently doing what ever we can to get back for the tasting menu!

Thank you for such a lovely evening.

Aug 26, 2010

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Our first visit with the new chef Carl Middleton. This was our second stop on our Mountains restaurant crawl. The three things that we always love about darley's are:

The polished, knowledgeable service, the beautiful setting and the food. The service was as always, friendly, informed and professional. The dining room was comfortable and as beautiful and charming as always.

Overall the food doesn't hit the highs of Hugh's days here, but in saying that we thought it was at a very consistent level. In the past we would find that some dishes were amazing, but others fell short. But now all dishes seem to be at a wonderfully consistent level. Which as far as we could see is good, as you know what you're going to get.

The pressed Guinea fowl with foie gras was delightful. As was the suckling pig and the Lambs shoulder. The Vanilla ice cream with mango sorbet and meringue was a great finish to the night. My wife raved about the pear tarte tatin. The prices are at the higher end in the mountains, but it represents very good value.

Great to see Darley's still being a very strong force in the mountains. And you have to love their wine list!

Aug 26, 2010