Birthday celebration

Yes, both are worth the trip if you like gourmet getaways. One is close to the Great Ocean Road and the other is in central Sydney. Sunnybrae is like stepping into your own living room with the welcome addition of a wonderful chef and staff to bring the food and clean up afterwards. While the buzz from other tables filled the room with conviviality we often felt the whole thing was just for us  as we gathered this Saturday for a birthday and a farewell to family going overseas.

If you are travelling from Melbourne there are tips on George’s website of places to stay nearby. Our 45 minute drive from Jan Juc to gave us girls time to check out the select shops in Birregurra while the boys had a coffee fix before arriving for lunch. I mention Tetsuya’s because it once took me quite a lot of logistical arrangements with airlines and taxis to get four girls to Sydney for a special Saturday lunch. It is much easier to take a gourmet getaway closer to home at Sunnybrae where George Biron  harvests produce from his extensive garden to create imaginative and tasty dishes for the restaurant table.

George with guest in kitchen

Let me tell you about today’s menu. When you visit it may be entirely different according to what is available in the garden and from local sources.

Dianne - hostess at work

First: A series of light courses which could be called entrees begin the degustation. They are more small tastes that we share and many have come from the garden we can see from the windows of the cottage dining room.

Potato bread with extra virgin Arbequinna olive oil with olives from the garden.

Sugar-cured ocean trout with Portarlington mussels in saffron sorrel broth.

Tetsuya's Garden

Tarama with fennel, pine nuts and new seasons garlic

Meredith Goats Cheese tart with Provencale paste

A selection of Spanish style small goods.

Blood orange and watermelon salad with morello cherry dressing

Asparagus with broad beans, peppers and capers.

The main course was self selected from about four wonderful offerings including lamb, rabbit, blue-eye fillet, and duck all with wonderful accompaniments.

Desserts. My choice from a list of of seven was the Pavlova roll with balsamic strawberries and mandarin glaze with star anise and lime ice-cream providing a light and aromatic ending to lunch.

My husband chose the most unusual offering of Turkey Livers slowly cooked in duck fat with a relish of rhubarb and ginger. He was thrilled with this as a completion to his meal.

Our party of six left happy after another treat at Sunnybrae. Make a detour or a foodie destination. We will return again and again and think you will want to too.

And if you follow my Blog you may be wondering why I have mentioned Sunnybrae again – it is because I think this place is one of the hidden treasures behind the spectacular Great Ocean Road and because it is only open at weekends.