To celebrate regional Australia we’re running a 3-part series on the Mudgee region. A far cry from sleepy country towns this region boasts of art, culture, food and wine, making it – Sydney’s cool cousin.
This week we are celebrating the tasty cuisine from the Mudgee region. From mouthwatering rustic Aussie country dishes to Italian specialties, meat and dairy products (hello free-range, organic and home-grown produce) a visit to Mudgee requires a couple of spare belt holes.
Roth’s Wine Bar
Roth’s Wine bar can proudly claim to be Australia’s oldest original small bar, and the character filled bar can also claim to be an old…brothel(!), however those activities are no longer on the menu instead Roth’s serves up the best wine Mudgee has to offer as well as amazing local produce. The local cuisine is plated up in a relaxed and casual environment and there are a few local favourites to try including the pork belly, the slow cooked beef cheeks and the sumac lamb shoulder. If you are heading over to Roth’s on a Friday evening chances are you’ll find yourself on the dance floor in a wild boogie.
Visit Roth’s Wine bar’s website www.rothswinebar.com.au
di Lusso Estate Mudgee
The di Lusso Estate owner and former Wallstreet banker Robert Fairall or “Roberto” as he calls himself.
This might sound a little out there but when visiting di Lusso it actually feels like you have been transported to Tuscany (literally) and after a few glasses of red Sangiovessa and a couple of wood fired pizza slices you have almost convinced yourself. So it was somewhat a relief when we were informed that the soil surrounding the estate and the climate is very similar to Italy making it the ideal place to produce Italian wine varieties and blends, phew!
The di Lusso Estate owner and former Wallstreet banker Robert Fairall or “Roberto” as he calls himself is very welcoming and chatty and is evident that is passion in life is wine, food (Italian) and olive trees. Situated only a few minutes drive from Mudgee (town) di Lusso offers a relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect setting for that lazy Saturday Italian luncheon.
For bookings and reservations visit www.dilusso.com.au
Wood fire at Di Lusso!
di Lusso pizzas work well with the vineyard’s wine selection.
Olive.A.Twist
Sundae Ice-Cream prepared by Olive.A.Twist
Agronomist and sommilier Rebecca Sutton is the brainchild behind Olive.A.Twist, an ‘all terrain’ catering service bringing ‘a bit of Sydney into the Mudgee-scape’. Rebecca is heavily promoting local farmers and she is using free range and organic produce when dishing up baked Di Lusso Figs filled with High Valley Fetta and Wrapped in Prosciutto, local Lamb Shoulder Skewers with Mudgee Hazelnut Dukkah, a dollop of High Valley Quark & Small Green Salad and rosewater & Bay Confit of Ormiston Pork Belly to name a few of the highlights from her menu.
This year Olive.A.Twist launched Hello Lovelies which is a selection of cordials (all with their own personality) made purely with seasonal quality fruit and vegetables all local to the Mudgee region.
- ‘Oh Regina’ – A play on the French cordial, Orangina, this regal beauty made of oranges from Gooree Park, is comforting in the company of cinnamon, clove and ginger.
- ‘Sassy’ – A celebration of the maker’s 40th birthday and gal’s that wear red lipstick confidently. Elliot Rocke Estate raspberries, kaffir lime leaves, fresh chilli and mint – there is no need to explain.
- ‘Frenchy’ – Pomegranates from Clearview Estate when juiced needed nothing more to compliment the decadent tartness. Simply stunning in their simplicity, it is what it is. Je suis Français, why be anything else?
Oh Regina’ – A play on the French cordial, Orangina, this regal beauty made of oranges from Gooree Park, is comforting in the company of cinnamon, clove and ginger.
#hellolovelies cordial range officially launched! (canberra Food and Wine Expo) Come and meet two of… http://t.co/EVMcjOIiJg
— Olive.A.Twist (@OliveATwist) February 15, 2014
For food inspiration and recipes visit Rebecca’s blog www.oliveatwistfoodwinescience.blogspot.com.au
Market Street Cafe
Homemade baked beans at the Market Street Cafe, Mudgee.
For all fussy breakfast eaters out there – this is for you! The Market Street Cafe on 79 Market Street in Mudgee offers a great menu selection including steak sandwich on sourdough, poached chicken salad, caramelized orange muffin and eggs benedict. What better way to kickstart the day than to enjoy homemade beans on toast (quite spicy with bits of carrot). The coffee is amazing too and located on one of the main streets you are not far from all the shops and boutiques.
What’s your favourite food stop in Mudgee?