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Eating and drinking
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Most of the many excellent (and pricey) Hunter Valley restaurants are attached to the various wineries or are among the vineyards, rather than in the towns, while the Hunter's large old pubs dish out less fancy but more affordable grub. Every year over a mid-May weekend seven wineries along and around Lovedale Road team up with local restaurants to host the
Lovedale Long Lunch
(tel 02/4930 7611), with wine and gourmet food served amongst the vines. You can taste free samples of The Hunter Valley Cheese Company's handmade wares, or buy some to accompany a picnic, at the McGuigan Bros Winery, Broke Road, Pokolbin.
Amicos , 138 Wollombi Rd, Cessnock (tel 02/4991 1995). A popular cheap eat, this BYO restaurant serves Italian and Mexican food in a casual atmosphere. Daily from 6pm. Baron's Restaurant , at the Neath Hotel (tel 02/4930 4270). Antique-filled restaurant in a historic pub. Sat nights only; cheaper bistro restaurant available all week. Bellbird Hotel , 388 Wollombi Rd, 5km from the centre of Cessnock. Vast old-fashioned pub full of country characters. Eat inexpensive no-frills bistro food in the very pleasant vine-covered and flower-filled beer garden with adjacent children's playground. Bimbadgen Estate , Lot 21, McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin (tel 02/4998 7585). With a squint this winery, complete with bell tower, could be in Europe. Its modern restaurant, however, is all timber and glass, reached via the working winery, and with vineyard views from the balcony. Food, with mains around the $25 mark, is contemporary European, with rabbit, spatchcock and roast duck all on the menu. Licensed. Lunch daily, dinner Wed-Sat. Blaxlands Restaurant , Broke Rd, Pokolbin (tel 02/4998 7550). More than a hundred wines from the Hunter Valley are available at this well-regarded restaurant in an 1829 sandstone cottage. You can eat outside on the verandah. Expensive. Booking advised. CafA© Enzo , Peppers Creek Antiques, Broke Rd, Pokolbin (tel 02/4998 7233). Courtyard cafA© with a light Mediterranean menu and excellent Italian-style coffee. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. CafA© Max , McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin (tel 02/4998 7899). Above The Small Winemakers Centre, with balcony views of vineyards and far-off hills. An eclectic menu to team with your BYO wine. Lunch Wed-Sun 11am-4pm. Chez Pok , Pepper's Guesthouse , Ekerts Rd, Pokolbin (tel 02/4998 7596). Highly regarded restaurant stylishly using local produce. The views overlooking vineyards are very pretty as is the antique-filled cottage interior. Expensive. Daily breakfast to dinner. The Hoot CafA© , 115 Vincent St, Cessnock. Sydney style and prices in this bright and airy cafA© with ceiling fans whirring and soul music playing. Gourmet sandwiches, croissants, tasty cakes, good coffee and delicious stuffed potatoes. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 8am-1pm. Il Cacciatore , Hermitage Lodge, cnr McDonalds and Gilliards roads, Pokolbin (tel 02/4998 7639). Excellent upmarket Italian restaurant with a wide choice, including fish dishes. Desserts like chocolate pasta ensure that the place is packed. Licensed and BYO. Mulligans Brasserie , Cypress Lakes Resort, McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin (tel 02/4993 1835). Gourmet sandwiches, salads, tortillas and burgers accompanied by pleasant courtyard views looking out over the resort's pool and verdant golf course. Licensed. Daily 7am-10pm.
Roberts at Pepper Tree
, Halls Rd, Pokolbin (tel 02/4998 7330). Attached to
Peppers Convent
, this is the place to head for a treat, in a charming 1876 wooden farmhouse filled with flowers. French rustic-style food emerges from wood-fired ovens. Expensive; licensed. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Australia,
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