Muse Kitchen

Simplicity is the soul of Muse Restaurant's little sister; a lovely Hunter hideaway on a bright green lawn that's all sweetness, sunlight and white on off-white. The level of service is as big a draw as the food, turning a simple lunch into a fabulous experience. While the crisp king prawns in buttery verjuice with cherry tomatoes hail from more distant parts, most vegetables, fruit and herbs come from up the road. And then there's a local Papanui egg, packaged inside rich mushroom and potato ravioli. Pan-fried garfish is prettified with garlic flowers, celeriac, pear and a scattering of pomegranate seeds and capers. Crisp-skinned confit duck leg - flaky meat and golden skin - is enhanced by a thyme-laced cassoulet. A coconut cloud topped with ribbons of ginger and lime-compressed pineapple tells you it doesn't get much better than this.

And … Go wine tasting afterwards at the Keith Tulloch cellar door.

THE LOW-DOWN
Vibe A lovely buzz of bonhomie. 
Best bit Pretending you're in Provence.
Worst bit No weekday dinners.