The Tea Room, Speaker's Corner Bar and The Promenade Cafe, Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

The style: The style at the Hyatt can best be described in two words – classic and opulent. From the perfectly manicured gardens to the full silver service, no attention to detail is spared. There is history packed into every corner and there are portraits of Prime Ministers past throughout the buildings. Cabinets of memorabilia add to the experience and really bring the history of the Hyatt to life. There is a newer wing to the rear of the hotel which houses the restaurant but the style means that it blends seamlessly with the older buildings.



The Tea Room, Hyatt Hotel, Canberra



The taste: The Tea Room - Afternoon tea. 

The afternoon tea was a buffet of sandwiches and sweets. The presentation of every piece of food was impeccable and the taste was just as good! Afternoon tea was served with champagne, tea and coffee.

Speaker's Corner Bar, Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

The taste: Speaker's Corner Bar - Pre-dinner drinks. 

The cocktail list was several pages long and for me, the Queensland Dreaming was the pick of the bunch. Traditional favourites as well as some unique inventions made up the list. There bar also has an extensive wine and beer list. Sit back and imagine what secrets the walls here would tell if they could talk!

The taste: The Promenade Cafe - Dinner. 

Spectacular. Entrée was a buffet of seafood, cold meats and salads. Breads were served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar prior to the mains. Mains included locally farmed meat and the small menu managed to provide something for every taste. The quality of the presentation and flavours was top-notch and the service matched.

Entree - seafood buffet, The Promenade Cafe, Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

Main - Lamb and Vegies, Promenade Cafe, Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

Main - Pork and Chorizo - Promenade Cafe, Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

Steak and Vegies - Promenade Cafe, Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

The price: This experience was a gift from the family so in the interests of politeness I wont discuss the cost! (But if you are thinking of visiting, you can access the Hyatt’s website here.)

The crowd: The corporate types dominated here but there was a sprinkling of couples and families as well. No matter who you are, the staff here will treat you like royalty.

The location: The Hyatt Hotel, Canberra is located in the parliamentary triangle in Yarralumla, Canberra. It is tucked between Lake Burley Griffin and Parliament house. Access is from Commonwealth Avenue.

The Long Track Pantry, Jugiong

The Long Track Pantry, Jugiong

The Style: The Long Track Pantry describes itself as a piece of heaven on the Hume and for lovers of good food, this isn’t too far from the truth. The only problem with the Long Track is that the secret is well and truly out and on weekends in particular, it is packed to the rafters so if you are planning lunch, book ahead for busier times.

The Long Track is decorated in a warm, rustic style and it is bursting at the seems with cute touches like birds nests tucked into the walls, baskets, flowers and all sorts of goodies. The Long Track’s range of products including preserves, pre-made meals, local oil, olives, honey and the like are all available from the store. There is a tasting board near the door so let loose and try before you buy.

Tasting Board, Long Track Pantry, Jugiong

The Taste: The food offered up changes with the seasons and the menu is never dull. The Vietnamese chicken salad which was on offer over summer was my favourite but the autumn fig, feta and prosciutto salad gives it a run for its money. There is a range of gourmet sandwiches to eat in or take away. For something more hearty, there are pies bundled up in golden pastry as well as a massive Ploughman’s Lunch which has become a mainstay on the menu. The Long Track also caters for kids with fairy bread and simple sandwiches. The thing that everyone who visits the Long Track seems to talk about is the cake cabinet. The chocolate torte is heavy and moist, the hummingbird is delicious and brownies, muffins and many other sweet treats make regular appearances.

Ploughman's Lunch, Long Track Pantry, Jugiong

Cherry Tomato Tart, Long Track Pantry

The bonus: For those who taste the food and wish they could make it, there is good news! The Long Track runs regular cooking classes. I did one of these a while back and highly recommend it. The classes consist of a step by step display on how to make various dishes followed by a sit down meal with the class. The price includes recipes from the day, the lesson, the meal and a glass of wine at the end. 

Fig, Prosciutto and Rocket Salad, Long Track Pantry

The price: Entrees $8-9, Mains $15-19, Cakes $4.50-$7.50

The crowd: There is a mix of locals and day trippers who visit the Long Track. The location of Jugiong just off the Hume between Sydney and Melbourne means there are also a few long-haul travellers stopping in for a coffee and a bite to eat. I even spotted Rob Carlton (who recently played Kerry Packer in Paper Giants) tucking into lunch here.

The service: Always friendly and not too slow considering how busy the place can get.

The Location: The Long Track Pantry is located just off the Hume Highway in Jugiong, NSW. There are billboards marking the turnoff on the Hume Highway.

Harden Gold Trail Festival

Re-enactment of the shooting of John Barnes - Harden Gold Trail Festival

The south west of NSW is home to many towns which have been affected by the discovery of gold and ten local governments in the area have recently banded together to create a tourist trail to celebrate the region's gold rush history. Harden Shire Council has embraced this concept and in 2010, the first Harden Gold Trail Festival was held.



Re-enacment of the shooting of John Barnes, Harden Gold Trail Festival

The twin-towns of Harden and Murrumburrah are part of the 186 000 hectare Harden Shire Council area which is home to around 3 500 people. Today the area is better known for its quality dryland wheat but back in the 1800s, it was home to scandal and intrigue with several high profile bushrangers plying their trade in the area. Demondrille Creek near Harden saw the discovery of gold in 1856 and in 1897, Harden Murrumburrah was the site of the first call up muster of the 1st Australian Horse. These chapters in Harden's history are celebrated at the Harden Gold Trail Festival. The festival includes re-enactments of famous events such as the shooting of John Barnes by bushrangers Vane and O'Meally, the Murrumburrah Light Horse Troop manouvres, a bullock dray, gold panning, plays and muzzle-loading and firing demonstrations.

The festival also has market stalls featuring local arts, crafts, baked goods and produce.

Market stalls, Harden Gold Trail Festival

Harden is located three and a half hours from Sydney and one and a half hours from Canberra. The Harden Gold Trail Festival takes place at the Murrumburrah Showground on Woolrych Street in Murrumburrah with events scheduled between 11am and 4pm.
The cost of entry to the Harden Gold Trail Festival is $2.00 for adults and $1 for children or $5 for families.

Esco Pazzo, Mittagong

Esco Pazzo, Mittagong

The style: Esco Pazzo Italian Restaurant is located in a historic building with exposed brick walls, black and white photgraphs and huge glassed areas overlooking a garden. It is cosy and simple creating an inviting atmosphere without trying too hard. The only real negative with the decor is the tacky paper tablecloths.

Esco Pazzo, Mittagong

The taste: The a la carte menu specialises in Roman Italian cuisine and includes wood fired pizzas, pasta, risotto as well as various main meals including quail, veal, steak and lamb. There is also a daily specials board which is where I found the veal with tomato, anchovy, olive and caperberry sauce. The food here is truly spectacular and it isn't hard to see why Esco Pazzo has been a regular on the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food Guide over the past few years.

Veal in a tomato, anchovy, olive and caperberry sauce, Esco Pazzo, Mittagong

Roma Pizza - mozzarella, sliced potato, pork sausage, rosemary and olive oil; Esco Pazzo

The price: Antipasti range from $13.50 - 19:50, Pasta from $14.00 to $18.00, Secondi from $23.50 - $28.50 and Pizza from $12.90 - $20.00. The pizzas were very generously sized. To view Esco Pazzo's menu, click here.

Esco Pazzo, Mittagong

The location: Esco Pazzo is located at 84 Main Street, Mittagong. Mittagong is at the northern end of the Southern Highlands in NSW about two hours northeast of Canberra and one and a half hours south west of Sydney.

Cootamundra Picnic Races

Cootamundra Picnic Races

2011 marked the 104th meeting of the Cootamundra Picnic Races which is hosted by the Southern District Picnic Race Club. There was a six race program with the first race at 1:25pm and the last at 5pm. In addition to the races, other entertainment including Fashions on the Field, a jumping castle for the kids and food stands kept the crowds happy.

The picnic races provide a really relaxed atmosphere which is quite different to the big city meets and the event is family friendly. 

Billigaboo - Cootamundra Picnic Races

The races are held annually at the Cootamundra Racecourse which is located on Racecourse Road in Cootamundra. Camping is not available at the course but there are shuttle buses which run between the track and town.

The cost of entry is $20 for adults, $15 for pensioners and free for under 12s.



Grandstand, Cootamundra Racecourse

 





Uneke Lounge, Wagga Wagga

Uneke Lounge, Wagga Wagga

The Style: Uneke Lounge in Wagga is a trendy little eatery in Wagga Wagga, NSW attached to a gift and home wares shop which goes by the same ‘Uneke’ brand. Uneke's exposed brick walls, leather couches and fireplace create an inviting atmosphere and the wall hangings add some vintage glam. The seating at Uneke Café  includes long tables and clustered couches which invite mingling between people, however, when I was there for breakfast, most offered a quick smile before burying their noses into the complimentary magazines and newspapers.

The taste: the menu offers up standard café fare including burgers, steak sandwiches and wraps. The bircher muesli which I ordered from the breakfast menu was a standout – it was presented beautifully and fortunately, there was not a hint of the gluggy blandness which some mueslis offer up. On the lunch menu, the lamb salad was extremely tasty although not very pretty to look at. The burgers get the nod of approval too.

Bircher Muesli, Uneke Lounge, Wagga Wagga

For the sweet tooths, the cake cabinet here is so enticing and I couldn’t resist picking up a cupcake to go. Pretty as a picture!

Cupcake, Uneke Lounge

The service: Service here is professional and friendly. The orders are taken fast but I did have to wait almost thirty minutes for my breakfast. The café didn’t look that busy at the time so I was not expecting the delay – lucky the flavour made it worth the wait!

Uneke Lounge, Wagga Wagga

The price: Prices here are on par with other cafes in the country. Lunch for two with drinks comes in around the $50 mark. To see full menus, click here.

The location: Uneke Café is located at 140 Fitzmaurice St in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Mon-Wed 8:30 - 5:30. Thur - Sat 8:30 - 10:00pm. Breakfast on Sunday.

Capital Region Farmer's Market, Canberra

Beetroot - Capital Region Farmer's Market, Canberra

The Capital Region Farmer's Market is run by the Rotary Club of Hall. It is held on Saturdays from 8am - 11am at EPIC in Canberra. I had heard big things about this market but the sheer quantity of food on offer still took me by suprise. The market was jam-packed with shoppers and there really was something for everyone including fruit, veg, honey, wine, meat, bread, trees, herbs and even chickens!



Mushrooms, Capital Region Farmers Market, Canberra



The prices at the market are reasonable with costs similar to that in supermarkets. The difference is in the taste - fresh, flavourful, fabulous!! If you are near Canberra on a Saturday morning, I recommend popping in for a browse but be warned - you wont leave empty handed!

Potatoes - Capital Region Farmer's Market, Canberra