Tasmanian restaurants

[drron]

Thought it about time i put a few reviews on here for anyone visiting tassie.I will start with Devonport.Plenty of places for good value lunches but IMHO only 1 with really good food-Drift,on the beach at Mersey Bluff.I was stimulated to write this because of an utterly ridiculous negative review by a one time poster from Brisbane.She complained that her trout and veggies for $18 was too small and a rip off.So I went to lunch and tried the dish.It certainly confirmed my view that this poster knew nothing about food and restaurants.
Drift is run by one of the partners from Angassi at Binnalong bay.This had a very good reputation and was featured on several food shows.I have been frequenting the restaurant for 9 months now and have found the food of high quality at very reasonable prices.Now as with quite a few newer restaurants the menu is usually about 12 dishes with no separate appetiser and main sections.Usually 3-4 daily specials as well.The offending dish from the critic of Brisbane was described as-Sugar cured ocean trout,organic baby radish,lemon mousse and a chervil,citrus dressing.It was the second dish on the menu so with that desciption and a price of $18 anyone expecting a full plate of fish with veggies really should be going to Maccas.here is the dish-

I also had the calamari and prawn dumplings with a green chilli and mint nahn jin-despite the name the dipping sauce was not overly spicy-

Now some pictures of previous meals.The last time I had the homemade pluto pups which were great.This was followed by a spicy Stanley octopus stew.here they are-

On that night the scene was just wonderful-

I will try and bring you some more as time goes by.

 

[pat25d]

Cant remember enough to do a full review but Garagistes is the best restaurant I have ever been to in Australia.

Its not fine dining, but it has great local produce, a unique vibe and a smashing good wine list.

 

[bossreggie]

I can heartily recommend the restaurant at Moorilla Estate near HBA airport. +1 and I ate there after "jdevereux3" told me about it a couple of years ago.

It was so good that we now plan our departure time so we can take in lunch just prior to heading to the airport.

I'm not a beer man, however they do a "moo brew" which has honey in it. Very nice on a warm day.

Well worth a visit.




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[Sprucegoose]

It seems the best seafood gets exported. Any advice here appreciated.

The Henry jones does a good job. I also like Smolt, in Salamanca Place. Smoothest Pâté.

Good steak try ball and chain in Salamanca, to the silo end. Avoid the Indian there. My chicken fillet there had bones last Tuesday!

didnt like Francisco (Spanish) at battery point, but there is a superb Italian across the road.

 

[Major]

Totally agree about the Welcome to the Ball and Chain Grill | Ball & Chain Grill We had to wait over an hour at the bar ( 1st bottle of red gone ) for a table, but I had one of the best steaks I have ever had.

 

[docjames]

I can heartily recommend the restaurant at Moorilla Estate near HBA airport. +1 and I ate there after "jdevereux3" told me about it a couple of years ago.

It was so good that we now plan our departure time so we can take in lunch just prior to heading to the airport.

I'm not a beer man, however they do a "moo brew" which has honey in it. Very nice on a warm day.

Well worth a visit.




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Agree completely it's fantastic. They also do a brewery "tour" / tasting that's well worth it if you're into beer.

 

[drron]

I totally agree with the Source.Not only good food but the service is great.The manager is very hands on making sure there are no problems.Also like the Moo brew.The wines aren't half bad either with their crazy MONA labels-MONA is a must visit when in Hobart.
Disagree with Henry Jones though-I cant remember the exact dish but it came with"home made"tomato sauce.In it I discovered a piece of plastic identical to those you see sealing tomato sauce bottles.Pointed it out to the waiter,manager came and very definitely implied that i had put it there to get a free meal.And no they did not comp that dish.Never going back.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I totally agree with the Source.Not only good food but the service is great.The manager is very hands on making sure there are no problems.Also like the Moo brew.The wines aren't half bad either with their crazy MONA labels-MONA is a must visit when in Hobart.
Disagree with Henry Jones though-I cant remember the exact dish but it came with"home made"tomato sauce.In it I discovered a piece of plastic identical to those you see sealing tomato sauce bottles.Pointed it out to the waiter,manager came and very definitely implied that i had put it there to get a free meal.And no they did not comp that dish.Never going back.

Dear oh dear, the ol fly in the soup trick!!!

When I get a situation like the above I never ask or accept a comp. it just makes it so much harder to disseminate the publicity the joint needs, not!

 

[tuapekastar]

Good steak try ball and chain in Salamanca, to the silo end.

Totally agree about the Welcome to the Ball and Chain Grill | Ball & Chain Grill We had to wait over an hour at the bar ( 1st bottle of red gone ) for a table, but I had one of the best steaks I have ever had.

Gotta say on my only visit to Ball and Chain they overcooked my steak. Ordered rare, came out very close to medium. It had been a long wait and I was very hungry, so I set about devouring it anyway. I mentioned it to the waitress when she lobbed at the table when I was half way through it and to her credit she immediately offered to have another one cooked for me, but I was too hungry, and it was a nice piece of meat which I was halfway through, and just within my limits as far as what I would eat. I would certainly go back and give them another go.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Gotta say on my only visit to Ball and Chain they overcooked my steak. Ordered rare, came out very close to medium. It had been a long wait and I was very hungry, so I set about devouring it anyway. I mentioned it to the waitress when she lobbed at the table when I was half way through it and to her credit she immediately offered to have another one cooked for me, but I was too hungry, and it was a nice piece of meat which I was halfway through, and just within my limits as far as what I would eat. I would certainly go back and give them another go.

You can wait for a table there on Monday, there is no rhyme or reason to the season! Very busy kitchen.

A simple thing as well but the pork sausages were superb.

Rare is rare in my books.

 

[drron]

Next door to the Ball and chain is Rockwall which we tried 2 weeks ago.standard fare ,large serves and cooked perfectly.
I started with the Five spice quail with asparagus salad and cherry glaze.I enjoyed this-

Mrsdrron started with the specialty-Rock Lobster pate,she loved it-

She then had a second entree,Twice cooked pork belly.again she thought this was very good-

I then had the Pork loin glaved with plum and tamarind-moist great taste but boy was I full-

But I couldn't turn down dessert-we both had the Turkish Delight pannacotta with fairy floss-fantastic-

With a bottle of Tasmanian pinot grigio-$150.And they take Amex with no surcharge.

 

[scaredeycat]

The only merchant bankers in Hobart are retired or on holidays, so there aren't any true haute cuisine experiences such as one might find in Sydney or Melbourne. Having said that, the prices aren't as high at the top end, either.
We are fortunate enough to live within a few minutes' walk of at least 30 restaurants, so here are a few comments from a local:
Lebrina is considered by most Foodies in town to be Hobart's best restaurant. Getting a table is a challenge - don't bother leaving a message on their answering machine as they never seem to return calls. It's in New Town, so it's not really walking distance from the CBD.
Our favorite for the big night out is Monty's at the top of Montpelier Retreat (not to be confused with the similarly named pub in town). Husband and wife team Matt (chef) and Nat run the place and they know their food. Nat apparently had a previous life as an FA, and she really treats her regulars as if they have platinum status. Last year she dined at Fat Duck and Jules Verne (Michelin starred restaurant at the Eiffel Tower), so she and Mrs Cat had a long chat comparing notes about their favorite restaurants.
For those who like a view with their meal, the newly renovated Prosser's (Lower Sandy Bay) provides excellent, reasonably priced meals with a nice riverside vista.
If fish and chips is more your style, avoid Mure's (which is often full of bogans) and go to Fish Frenzy instead (a little further along the waterfront on the Elizabeth Street Pier). It's not that cheap, but the quality is much better than the opposition.
The Source at Moorilla is worth a visit, as is MONA which is next door (but I wouldn't take your maiden aunt as she may be offended, unless she appreciates porcelain pudenda).
Closer to the airport is Meadowbank Vineyard, which I think some posters above may have confused with Moorilla. It's a beautiful spot with lovely views of the Coal River valley countryside, and we often take mainland visitors there. I can't recall ever being disappointed.
Another terrific restaurant a bit further out of town is Home Hill, situated in the vineyard of the same name near Ranelagh, a little town in the Huon valley about 30 minutes' drive from Hobart.
All of the above are places we visit several times a year, and Mrs Cat in particular is very choosey about where she eats, having trained as a chef. Tasmania enjoys a deservedly good reputation for great produce - just ask Tetsuya!

 

[flyingfan]

I hope you don't mind my adding to your thread drron, with my experiences of dining in Tasmania.


Hobart - Henry's Restaurant, The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Starting with Henry's, which was okay however had higher expectations after hearing quite a bit about it from friends. A beetroot, feta and mandarin entrée I believe…


Duck and carrots (I didn't get the full descriptions and the menu's since changed)


Hazelnut soufflé (which I found a bit too sweet) and biscotti


Ice cream sandwich made with spiced biscuits and poached pear. It didn't quite work for me.

 

[flyingfan]

Cambridge - Meadowbank Kitchen, Meadowbank Estate

I really liked this restaurant, every dish was strong to very strong. Duck main…


Pork belly - unhealthy but oh so nice


Kingfish…


Passionfruit soufflé with vanilla bean ice cream


Raspberry mille-feuille



The restaurant also had Senate approval, with Bob Brown among the guests at this very lovely spot when I visited

 

[flyingfan]

Launceston - Pierre's Brasserie

An unexpected and nice discovery when hunting for a place to eat one evening. Chicken…


Crispy skin salmon…


Chocolate fondant

 

[drron]

So another restaurant to reccomend which may come as a surprise to 2impulsiv and kalboy.This one is between Penguin and Sulphur creek at Preservation Bay in the Penguin surf club building.Called Casablanca.Run by an ex Queenslander from Bundy who had the Baltimore restaurant at the port there.He then had the Baltimore in Burnie and is now here.Really friendly staff,efficient and the food is good and not too expensive.
We went there for Sunday lunch.Mrsdrron had the fish and chips-large serve of flathead just perfectly cooked.I had their Casablanca plate-a sort of meze extravaganza.Amazing tastes.
We went back for dinner last Thusday night and shared the Casablanca plate for entree.She the had the entree lambs brains as she had her eyes on dessert.The brains were good.I had an eye fillet-large steak,cooked to perfection,juicy,moist and great taste.One of the best steaks I have had in a restaurant.
Over those meals we have sampled 3 of their desserts-applemisu-a take on tiramisu.I really liked this.Persian almond cake-really nice taste and a lovely sticky chocolate pudding just right for a cold night.
The owner promised he would sit down and share a red with me if i go back this week.I am definitely taking up the offer.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Any updates on Hobart restaurant's guys?

Will be down there next Thu / Fri nights - will be eating at Mures upstairs Thu night - god I love that restaurant - just love the outlook upstairs - but need reco for Fri night.

Ball and Chain not option as we are having the 'Tassie Wash' XMAS party at Jailhouse Grill in L'ton on Sat night. Jailhouse Grill to those who don't know was Ball and Chain quite some years ago but did not flourish so was sold and rebadged.

 

[RooFlyer]

Garagistes - haven't been for ages but still getting good (personal) reviews: garagistes | hobart | food that celebrates produce sourced from many local growers, fishermen and farmers

Smolt on Salamanca Place I think got the thumbs up from the AFFers who went on the Hobart excursion in late November last.

 

[Major]

I also need an update on good restaurants, but for Launceston.

Any suggestions ?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Jailhouse Grill never disappoints if you want steak - and it has a good wine list - Jail House Grill, Launceston Steak Grill Restaurant

Pierres would be my other reco - Restaurants Launceston - Pierre's Restaurant Tasmania's Oldest Cafe Brasserie