Healesville Hotel

The Restaurant, not the pub
Date: 09/01/2005
Suburb: Healesville
Introduction Awarded one hat by The Age Good Food Guide for the 2nd year in a row
Ambience Comfortable cane chairs at tables a reasonable distance apart, white linen tablecloths and napkins set in large open space that absorbed the noise well created a pleasing atmosphere.
Service Attractive waitresses provideded for us - unhurried, satisfactory explanations regarding menu queries.
Food I tasted 4 of the 5 entree's ($15)
Briefly Sweetbreads & black pudding with prosciutto, roasted apple and garlic was outstanding The venison carpaccio with grilled sourdough & sweet & sour eggplant would have been excellent but the farmed venison entirely lacked taste
The paprika grilled quail baked in flatbread with romesco sauce was just passable as was the saffron cured yarra valley salmon with fennel radish and orange sauce.
The main 4 courses we tried ($29 - 32) were all very good tho' none was really outstanding.
The best was eye fillet of beef, chorizo-manchego croquettes, wilted greens and poached garlic sauce - tender and cooked to perfection.
The shellfish bouillabaisse, fennel seed breadsticks and rouille was a rather modest size but tasty serve.
The roast duck, shredded duck canneloni with caramelised chicory was also excellent.
The corn fed lamb did not meld well with the ? diacon and saffron pilau and raisins tho' the individual items were very good
Sides ($5.50) were also excellent. I tried the handcut chips with red wine vinegar and cumin sea salt and the asparagus with pinenuts, garlic and lemon.
Dessert menu ($13.50) was not extensive. the chocolate box was not too rich. The icecream passable.
Wine: We enjoyed a 2002 Oakridge Pinot Noir ($40) Good range available by the glass. Their claim to an award winning wine list is not in contention.
Price About $110 for 2
Comments I would say just barely deserves its one hat. A bit overpriced, still a pretty good meal for a country restaurant
Score: 15/20