Named for a local wattle tree, this restaurant and wine bar is housed in Bendigo's historic Royal Bank Building. Designed by William Beebe and George Garvin in 1908, the building retains original features such as its spectacular art nouveau stonemasonry, pressed ceilings and stained glass windows, lending the space an opulence that's entirely in keeping with the restaurant's fine dining philosophy.
The cuisine is contemporary with international influences and might include herbed barbequed lamb on eggplant-wrapped moussaka with roasted baby tomatoes; Middle Eastern-spiced pumpkin on orange couscous with red onion jam and thick yoghurt; or peppered fillet of beef on roasted kipfler potatoes and bacon lardons. Chocolate jaffa tart with jaffa ice cream and toffeed orange sauce brings a sweet and sticky finale to the meal. Or for something lighter, sample the grilled fresh peaches in a toffee cage with a terrine of roasted almonds and house-made raspberry ice cream.
The adjoining wine bar houses an extensive list of local drops and the requisite imports - what's a wine list without French Champagne, after all? There's also a significant cellar list of older and more unusual wines for serious connoisseurs.
Maya Linden
Open
m
t
w
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f
s
s
Breakfast
Lunch
O
O
O
O
O
O
Dinner
O
O
O
O
O
O
Late
Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6pm-10pm
French
Entree: $12-$20
Mains: $23-$35
Dessert: $12-$18
Set menu:
2 courses,
$45
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and EFTPOS
Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass.
Vegetarian options available
This venue accepts bookings. It is advisable to make a reservation ahead of time. Group bookings are supported.
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
phillippo
|
16 October 2010, 5.37pm
Sets the standard
I have not rated any restaurant 5 stars before so this meal has set my standard for superlative. Our group all had different courses and without exception found them all oustanding. Initially we thought the service a little slow, not receiving the menu until we were well into our predinner drinks. However, we were in no rush and enjoyed the opportunity to relax and chat before dinner.
Service was attentive but unobtrusive. Drinks replenished appropriately and the extra appetisers and sorbets were perfect.
We booked a table by the window so had an beauiful view across Alexandra Fountain and Rosalind Park and could look down on the revellers at the Wine bar below. Surprisingly, the restaurant was quiet with hardly any street noise coming up.
The meals and wine are pricey but if you want a special treat it is well worth it.
Food:
Visit: Fri 1 October 2010
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
Hogalot
|
18 February 2009, 9.47am
Near Perfect!
I'll be brief. Having just returned from Paris recently we dined here with friends who had previously reported variable concerns with Whirrakee. Notably these were primarily service based. This time however everything was first rate. The meals were exceptional and really beyond compare here in Bendigo. The wine list suffers somewhat by being a little over priced even for this standard of restaurant. They often don't have wines listed and then offer alternatives which are usually higher priced. Pity. The ambience is good, not great. If you're lucky enough to secure a window view it improves greatly. The city vistas on offer are exceptional.
One point of note is the desserts. These are without parallel in Bendigo. Do yourself a favour. They end the evening on a high note indeed, prepared with a delicate finesse, what a treat!
Food:
Visit: Wed 18 February 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
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