Good Food Guide 2018 Regional Restaurant of the Year finalists named
Some of Australia's best eating out this year has been beyond the metro limits, in regional restaurants offering incredible experiences unique to their surrounds.
The winner of the Regional Restaurant of the Year gong will be announced on October 16 at the inaugural national Good Food Guide Awards, presented by Citi and Vittoria. These are the finalists.
The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery & Store
Here's to a bright new future for an old Tasmanian mental asylum, thanks to Rodney Dunn and Severine Demanet. For the most part you'll build a lunch of charcuterie, hyper-local produce and an all-in roast trimmed by myriad sides.
You will need to appoint a designated driver thanks to the excellence of bartender Adi Ruiz (ex Bulletin Place, Sydney) and the restaurant's distance from Hobart. If the food, radius-conscious natural wines and cocktails aren't enough to make you book a flight or ferry, you are insane.
11a The Avenue, New Norfolk, Tasmania, theagrariankitchen.com
Brae
When Dan Hunter took over this Otways hinterland property in 2013, he inherited a simple cottage with a brick oven and a kitchen garden. He's added luxurious accommodation, beehives, chickens and many more garden beds. But the renovated farmhouse and wood oven are still the glowing heart of Brae. Increasing attention from FIFO food lovers may account for Hunter's growing appetite for Indigenous ingredients, plated alongside the produce that flourishes on site in a degustation of many colours.
4285 Cape Otway Road, Birregurra, Victoria, braerestaurant.com
Clementine
This charming, intimate restaurant, set in a 1950s weatherboard cottage, is everything you're probably not looking for in a side street in Yass. The gently lit dining room is decorated simply, the tables kept bare. In the kitchen, Adam Bantock is cooking simple European-inspired food with plenty of flavour. The big focus here is on regional produce – even the wine list is completely local.
104 Meehan Street, Yass, NSW, clementinerestaurant.com.au
Fleet
A tiny restaurant in a tiny town, Fleet is all colour and nervous energy founded on super-sharp technique, coupled with gracious service from Astrid McCormack. Locals with sun-bleached hair drink pina coladas and snack on sweetbread schnitty sangas at a little table on the footpath. Give 'em a wave on the way out before strolling to the pub to plot a permanent move to Brunswick Heads.
Shop 2, 16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads, NSW, fleet-restaurant.com.au
Igni
If brilliance is in part about knowing when to pull back, Aaron Turner and his polished front-of-house partners in this low-key backstreet dining room have it nailed. On taking a seat (kitchen counter, bar, or pale timber tables), you'll choose five or eight courses and from there it's all surprises – but everything that comes your way will be pared-back, beautiful and taste like the best possible version of itself. It's all delivered with efficient warmth and savvy advice on the short but smart wine list.
Ryan Place, Geelong, Victoria, restaurantigni.com
The Good Food Guide goes national this year with hats awarded across Australia. The Good Food Guide 2018 will be launched in October with our presenting partners Citi and Vittoria and will be on sale in newsagencies and bookstores.
Good Food Month highlights
Editors' dinner: Good Food print editor Ardyn Bernoth and Good Food Guide co-editor Myffy Rigby host a special dinner collaboration between hatted restaurants Fleet and the Bridge Room in Sydney. For one night only, experience six exquisite courses specially created by Josh Lewis and Ross Lusted using the finest local produce. Hear from both chefs on what drives and inspires them while you enjoy this special one-off collaboration menu with matched wines by Peter Lehmann. Tuesday, October 10. For bookings, see goodfoodmonth.com
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