Launceston Restaurants

[drron]

Seeing I am here I thought it better to do a specific thread for Launceston and surrounds.
First up the Star of Siam.Our favourite Thai here and just a short walk from the Quest.Doesn't hurt that is in the Amex shop small promotion.
We are trying to stick with Tassie wines so start with a Tamar Ridge SB.We liked it.

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We had a Pad Thai with chicken,ginger beef with mushrooms and garlic deep fried pork.

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Really liked it and recommended.

 

[drron]

The next night was at the Levee Food Co. at the Seaport.Last year I wasn't overly impressed but tonight was much better.Our wine was Eddystone Point SB.

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For entrees mrsdrron had the salt and pepper calamari and I the quail.Both were excellent.

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For mains we went for comfort food.For mrsdrron a mushroom pizza whilst I had the fish and chips.

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So another recommendation with the only downside they don't take Amex.

 

[Denali]

Yummy and thank you, might visit one or two for our short stay over Christmas.

 

[drron]

The next restaurant was Mud Bar at Peppers Seaport.I think it has a new chef as totally different menu from last year and now for dinner is a 2 or 3 course choice.Once again they are participating in the Amex shop small promotion.So the wine this time was Josef Chromy SB.

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They give you a starter-pork crackling.

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We shared an entree of tempura scallops.Perfection.Or PERfection for JohnM.

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For mains mrsdrron ordered the pork belly and I had a porterhouse steak.

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The steak was very good but a problem for mrsdrron as the peanut sauce had lots of chilli.When paying I mentioned it and how it should be stated particularly when 5 out of the 7 mains already were spicy.
The woman replied I am sorry there was chilli in the SPICY peanut sauce.Bad mistake because here is how it is on the menu-

Crisp twice-cooked Scottsdale pork belly/ bokchoy/ roasted peanut sauce/ Thai basil, herbs, cucumber salad

Roasted certainly does not mean spicy.
We had also ordered a dessert.Tapioca pudding with macadamia brittle and condensed milk icecream.

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It was nice.

So difficult.If you like spicy food it is very good.But if you don't do spicy you better like steak otherwise avoid.

 

[JackMiles]

I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Stillwater. Lovely place. Strongly recommend it.

 

[drron]

I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Stillwater. Lovely place. Strongly recommend it.

Yes our favourite and it will be turning up in this thread at some stage.

 

[drron]

On Sunday we were in the area so decided to go to the Clarendon Arms in Evandale for lunch.We had visited the Evandale markets a year ago and the Clarendon's beer garden looked lovely but there was no way you could get a seat.So this day we turned up a little before the markets closed and no problem getting a table.Fifteen minutes later the place was full.
We stuck to a Tassie wine.This time a Goaty hill pinot gris from the Tamar.Quite nice.

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Although an old pub the place now is a restaurant and wine bar but they have kept the old beer garden going.There are a few outside tables for the restaurant which is where we sat as just a beautiful day.

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We both had the Greek slow cooked lamb salad and it was great.Lamb not dried out,came apart easily and tasted great.

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We then shared a rice pudding but that was ordinary.

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The wait staff were not professional-which is common for Tasmania.However the boss lady was very organised and when she came out she soon had them clearing tables and other jobs which a good waiter would notice and do.
However the setting is great and we will definitely be back but maybe not on a Sunday.
Amex not accepted.

 

[drron]

Monday night and mrsdrron had come down with the lurgi.She didn't want to go far so we went early to Franco's an Italian restaurant just around the corner from the Quest.Mixed reviews on TA but rated the number 2 Italian restaurant in Lonnie.
Not a great wine list and only 1 Tassie white so mrsdrron decided we were going with a Marlborough SB.

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We both had an entree.Garlic prawns for her and calamari for me.Both came in a creamy garlic sauce but mine also had a little chilli.

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Neither the prawns or calamari were overcooked and we both enjoyed our dish.
After that mrsdrron had the entree sized fettucine carbonara which she enjoyed whilst I had the veal marsala.Certainly not the best veal marsala I have had.That would be mrsdrron's version. But it was OK.

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The wait staff were obviously new.No mistakes with our dishes though.As I have said not uncommon in Tassie.Also not uncommon is that is more expensive than a similiar restaurant on the mainland.
No Amex.
So all right if you are nearby and just want some comfort food.But tonight we went to the number 1 rated Italian restaurant here and we have a new favourite restaurant in Lonnie.That post will be up in a day or two.

 

[drron]

Tuesday night with mrsdrron only a little better so around the other corner to Alchemy Bar and restaurant.Back to our Tassie wine tastings with another Tamar winery,Iron Pot Sauvignon blanc/semillion blend.A very nice wine.

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It was quite noisy with a couple of young kids but also a concrete floor so when anyone moved their chair a loud grating sound.So we decided on just having mains.I went with the Szechuan octopus and mrsdrron with the tropical snapper and garlic prawn special.

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Now my dish was very good but with the name I was expecting something at least reasonably spicy.It wasn't.Someone from Szechuan would definitely be disappointed.Mrsdrron's garlic prawns were perfect and the fish cooked to perfection.But the skin was left on the fish and totally overdosed with pepper so she spent a lot of time trying to get rid of the skin.As well the fries were under the fish and totally saturated with the garlic sauce and so soggy.
The up side-another on the Amex shop small promotion.
The downside.Totally amateur wait staff.When I went to pay the bill I was not presented with a docket but told that would be $200+.No way so I demanded to see an itemised bill.It had all of a large table's drinks on it.Said sorry but sorry we will not be back.

 

[drron]

Wednesday and we went to Navaro's Restaurant.We were in for a treat.
Here the waiter was professional.Knew all about the menu as well as a good knowledge of wines.Also a character with a perpetual smile.We started with an amuse bouche which was a potato and leek soup.Simple but done well.

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For entrees we both had the scallops with a creamy garlic sauce and truffle oil.Absolutely superb.A special for the night.

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The sauce went perfectly with the scallops.
Mains and mrsdrron still felt a little unwell so she had the other entree special-lobster ravioli.Packed with lobster meat and she loved it.

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I went with the seafood fettucine with garlic and chilli.Wonderful.The seafood was perfectly cooked with the clams the best I have had.

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For dessert mrsdrron had the creme brulee and I the pannacotta.It was divine.

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Trip advisor has Navaro's as number 1 in Lonnie with Stillwater number 2.We both agree with this ranking.Already booked again when mrsdrron returns.
Definitely recommended.
Takes Amex and in the shop small promotion.I had already used my 5 though.

 

[drron]

Thursday and off to Hallam's Seafood restaurant.We have enjoyed it here in the past.Unfortunately they are now trying to be clever and it really didn't work well.
But first the wine.We chose a cheeky wine from Moorilla-part of the Mona estate.The label appears to have a David Walsh influence.

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Mrsdrron started with the scallops on an edamame puree with black garlic.The dish wasn't visually appealing and the puree was very bland and didn't taste like edamame.

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I had the white fish cerviche.I like spice and this was the spiciest dish I have had this time with the exception of one of my curries.

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For mains we both had the grilled white fish on asparagus,capers and pistachios.Also a side of sweet potato fries.

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The fish was blue eye trevalla and was perfectly cooked.The asparagus was overcooked and the fish really didn't go with the rest of the dish.The sweet potato fries was really tempura sweet potato.
We are not going back.

PS-2% surcharge for Amex.

 

[OATEK]

Wednesday and we went to Navaro's Restaurant.We were in for a treat.
Here the waiter was professional.Knew all about the menu as well as a good knowledge of wines.Also a character with a perpetual smile.We started with an amuse bouche which was a potato and leek soup.Simple but done well.

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For entrees we both had the scallops with a creamy garlic sauce and truffle oil.Absolutely superb.A special for the night.

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The sauce went perfectly with the scallops.
Mains and mrsdrron still felt a little unwell so she had the other entree special-lobster ravioli.Packed with lobster meat and she loved it.

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I went with the seafood fettucine with garlic and chilli.Wonderful.The seafood was perfectly cooked with the clams the best I have had.

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For dessert mrsdrron had the creme brulee and I the pannacotta.It was divine.

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Trip advisor has Navaro's as number 1 in Lonnie with Stillwater number 2.We both agree with this ranking.Already booked again when mrsdrron returns.
Definitely recommended.
Takes Amex and in the shop small promotion.I had already used my 5 though.

We have been to Novaro's several times and love it. Made it our destination for our 45th, and it was a great evening.

 

[drron]

Tonight it was Geronimos.I did have a nice lunch here with Rooflyer last year but they have completely revamped the place and now only open for dinner. Also a lovely young woman waiting on us who was very good at her job. She asked if any allergies and mrsdrron said she didn't eat capsicum or chillies.Normally the butter with their sourdough bread is a Szechuan style with chillies and capsicum-we got mojito butter instead.Later the potatoes came with a pest.It contained capsicum so was served on the side.She also was very pleasant.
We had a 42S Sav Blanc continuing our wine flight around Tasmania.

They encourage sharing so we began naturally with scallops with parsnip puree,confit parsnip and pancetta.This time the sides did not detract from the scallops and we loved it.

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With this we had the beef tartare with fried leek,leek oil,egg yolk and caper mayonnaise.The beef was a little chunkier than usual but the flavours were great.

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We then had the wood fired lamb ribs with mint jelly.These were great.When we come back this will be ordered again.

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With the lamb we had charred brussel sprouts with pancetta and roasted potatoes with romesco and ricotta.

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Another place that participated in the Amex shop small promo.
Definitely recommended.

 

[drron]

So today a fast food restaurant only openned this week.A late lunch.I don't think there are many of these in Australia.

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The menu.

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I sampled the maple bacon poutine.A little salty but much nicer IMHO than the cheese curds I had in Wisconsin.That had put me off poutine.The curds here come from the Pyengana dairy.

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[drron]

Mrsdrron returned on Saturday.So for her first night it was back to Navarros.It was packed and tables were set up in the hall.Our table had a red lamp on it so the food really wasn't pink.We had another Moorilla sav blanc-without the funny label.very nice.Once again a special for entree was scallops from Flinders Island but this time with a truffled butter sauce.Once again delicious and we both had them.

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For mains mrsdrron had the slow roasted lamb gnocchi,parmigiano and lime streaks.So tender,moist and delicious.

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I had the 14 hour braised Cape Grim beef cheek,potato puree,charred cos,parmigiano in an aromatic broth.Again so tender and everything went well together though we did rate the lamb dish as the better of the mains.

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Great service again and definitely now our favourite restaurant in Launceston.

 

[drron]

Sunday lunch and an easy drive from Lonnie to Beauty Point.We went to the River Cafe.It has a good reputation and when here last year we couldn't get in as always booked.The place is a nice place to visit and that Sunday was a high point for Beauty Point.Not only was their historic pilot boat there as usual but a cruise ship-the Seabourn Sojourn.The year before harbour deepening had been finished-basically for the Bell Bay smelter but the wood chip business.It was the second cruise ship for the year.The first was Ponant's L'Australe in January!

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The view from the restaurant.

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Things have obviously changed here as the restaurant was not full.The menu was very limited.Mrsdrron went for the Boag's battered scallops and chips and I the seafood platter for one.Washed down with a Chartley Estate Sav Blanc from just down the road.

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It was nice but not enough to make a special trip for.So all right if you are in the area.

 

[drron]

Tuesday night and another new restaurant-Grain at Peppers Silo hotel.The hotel hasn't been opened long and the Council Parklands around it a long way from finished.My view from the restaurant.

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Continuing our trip around Tasmanian Sav Blancs this time was from Laurel Bank.

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For entree mrsdrron had the beef tartare with parsnip creme,slow cooked egg parsnip chips and dijon mustard.Different to others we have had.

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Whilst I had dishes that I could compare to our meal at Camille the night before.Entree was braised mussels,saffron,dijon,white wine ,olivata and crusty bread.

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The olives were large and succulent very similiar to those at Camille.However 2 things let this dish down.The olive tapenade on the bread made it useless for soaking up the stock.All you could taste was the olives.Second the stock because of the dijon mustard overpowered the mussels.
For mains mrsdrron had another small dish-grilled tiger prawns with garlic,lemon and parsley but without the chilli.These were reasonable.

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For mains I had the roasted porchetta,rolled seasoned pork belly with apple jam.

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Totally different dish to Camilles whose version I liked a lot more.Wide layer of fat,little apple jam so a little bland.
We did have a side of house chips with black garlic sauce which were good.
So a reasonable meal but not outstanding.

 

[pauly7]

Velo restaurant in Legana (15 min drive from Lonny) is absolutely fantastic and off the tourist trap usual restaurants if anyone is heading down there. You have to book

 

[drron]

Wednesday night and time for Stillwater our favourite restaurant here for the last few years.From my seat I could see Pepper's Silo hotel where we ate the night before.

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Unfortunately things have changed since our last visit a little over a year ago.It was easy to see why.It has changed to cater for the Chinese market.Nearly half of the diners were from China.With this the dress code has gone with shorts and thongs evident on several diners.
The menu has changed to a snacks,small plates,big plates menu for sharing as is the Chinese custom.Also now most of the dishes are spicy.That left mrsdrron with a limited choice of dishes.So she began with a snack-chicken liver parfait with breads.

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Presentation not inspiring and bread burnt on edges.I tasted a little and mrsdrron makes a better version.
I had a small plate-Tasmanian octopus,parsley and garlic,grilled radish and lardo.The presentation was much better.

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But it was extremely tough and even difficult to cut with a knife.The waiter noticed my efforts in cutting and said people last night had found it tough.The manager said they were using a new supply tonight and couldn't understand it being tough.Ended up comping the dish.
Mrsdrron then had a small plate-Mt.Gnomon pork belly,celery and rhubarb pickle,juniper oil.

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Pork a little overdone.
I went with a large plate-Tasmanian wallaby,caramelised carrot,brassicas and roasted garlic sauce.

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The brassicas was a piece of bok choy with balack fungus underneath and the carrot was a puree rather than caramelised.The wallaby though was nice.
We decided against dessert.
A bottle of stefano Lubiana biodynamic sav blanc to accompany.
Very disappointed and no longer on our must go list.

 

[drron]

The next night it was back to Navaros.Chalk and cheese comparing the 2 restaurants.They do also cater to the Chinese market but in a totally different way.They have a Chinese menu.Don'r know if a little different to the one we get.Also if a booking they are informed of a dress code.If they arrive without a booking and a table is available but the dress is shorts and thongs they are turned away-same rule for everyone.A bit better dressed and you get the table.However it appears rare that there is an unbooked table at this time of year.
We started with a dozen mixed oysters-mornay,with prosecco jelly and palm sugar and ginger shooters.

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Big juicy Bruny Island oysters.The mornay didn't overpower the oysters.The proseecco jelly was a beautiful match with the oyster and loved the shooters.
Mrsdrron then had the entree of scallops with onion,caramelised butter and truffle oil.Just divine.

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I had the Robbins Island waygu carpaccio,Yorktown organics rocket leaves,dried capers,olive oil and parmigiano.

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Really nice.
Mrsdrron then had the Tiger prawns,apple juice,verjuice,spring onions and pappardelle pasta sans chilli.

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Prawns beautifully cooked and lovely pasta.
I had the duck tortellini,mushroom,orange balsamic glaze,Yorktown micro herbs.

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It should be renamed Heaven on a Plate.The best pasta dish I have ever had.The pasta silky and the glaze giving it a beautiful taste.The filling just awesome.I called one of the owners over who I had been told prepared all the pasta.She nearly cried as that morning she had read a TA review giving the restaurant 1 star and saying the duck tortellini was the worst dish.The reviewer claimed to be a manager of a French restaurant who claimed to be setting up a restaurant in the district.Methinks the review was malicious.
Washed down with a Marions Pinot Gris.
The only problem was we were too full for desserts.
Mention must be made of the waiter-Brett.A fabulous front of house guy who makes the evening more enjoyable.
Now firmly established as our favourite Lonnie restaurant.