regional excursions for dining

qbngeek said :

IrishPete said :

qbngeek said :

Been to Torpys several times and have nothing good to say about them, and that’s from someone who lives in Braidwood.

Lovely place, lovely owners, but haven’t eaten there but have mainly heard very good things about it.

For some reason Braidwood locals’ opinions on Torpy’s seem to be polarised, some love it and some hate it, so you may want to make up your own mind. Check out their menus online first as that will give you some idea of what to expect. Find somewhere to stay, as the Kings Highway at night is wombat alley, and who wants to be the designated driver and wombat avoider? Then you get to have breakfast in any number of fantastic places and wander around beautiful Braidwood in the morning. Braidwood is the jewel in the crown of southern NSW. Nowhere else compares (maybe Tilba).

The French place at Bungendore is highly regarded but I had the misfortune of being there ona a stinking hot night and it was really unpleasant. I’m also not a huge fan of French cuisine.

IP

I will agree with IP. Many locals here love Torpys. My experiences have always been with groups and we have had issues with how long it takes to get food and meals coming out for half the table and then those people finishing their food while everyone else is waiting.

The owners are lovely people and I have been told that the issues I have experienced have become less of a problem of late.

There are always several other places out here such as the Albion that do good food. We tend to head up to the Royal Mail hotel because I am a fan of pub food and the relaxed atmosphere of a pub when I have kids with me.

In regards to accommodation, I recommend Greystanes for a group as you rent out the entire house. http://www.greystanesatbraidwood.com/

I have no financial or other interest in Greystanes, however our relatives stay there frequently as we live very, very close by. It is very popular with groups.

I also agree that the town is a brilliant place if you take the time to look around and really talk to the locals rather than just driving through or stopping for a pie. There are a lot of hidden gems nearby such as Sullys Cidery at Riedsdale (15 mins away but currently closed) and swimming at Stewarts Crossing. Dojo bakery is located right near the main bakery, behind the main street buildings and the baked goods are a million times better that the main bakery.

The IGA stocks a lot of local fruit and veg according to the season. Braidwood Outdoors always send me broke because I can’t ever just buy what I went there for for and several of my mates travel from Canberra and Queanbeyan to get things from them as the customer service is awesome and you know you are supporting a proper local business.

The best part is the people are friendly and I found it to be an easy commute to Canberra for work since I would be travelling at least an hour to work if I lived in Sydney or Melbourne. Now I am off to the farmers market.

the mayor of braidwood needs to use your spruiking skills… very nicely said. 🙂

+1 for Grazing at Gundaroo

I also vaguely remember a brilliant lunch one day at Gunning about 2 years back. Gourmet Pizza was on the menu but I had something else. Can’t remember any more than that but perhaps someone else on RA can jog my memory

IrishPete said :

qbngeek said :

Been to Torpys several times and have nothing good to say about them, and that’s from someone who lives in Braidwood.

Lovely place, lovely owners, but haven’t eaten there but have mainly heard very good things about it.

For some reason Braidwood locals’ opinions on Torpy’s seem to be polarised, some love it and some hate it, so you may want to make up your own mind. Check out their menus online first as that will give you some idea of what to expect. Find somewhere to stay, as the Kings Highway at night is wombat alley, and who wants to be the designated driver and wombat avoider? Then you get to have breakfast in any number of fantastic places and wander around beautiful Braidwood in the morning. Braidwood is the jewel in the crown of southern NSW. Nowhere else compares (maybe Tilba).

The French place at Bungendore is highly regarded but I had the misfortune of being there ona a stinking hot night and it was really unpleasant. I’m also not a huge fan of French cuisine.

IP

I will agree with IP. Many locals here love Torpys. My experiences have always been with groups and we have had issues with how long it takes to get food and meals coming out for half the table and then those people finishing their food while everyone else is waiting.

The owners are lovely people and I have been told that the issues I have experienced have become less of a problem of late.

There are always several other places out here such as the Albion that do good food. We tend to head up to the Royal Mail hotel because I am a fan of pub food and the relaxed atmosphere of a pub when I have kids with me.

In regards to accommodation, I recommend Greystanes for a group as you rent out the entire house. http://www.greystanesatbraidwood.com/

I have no financial or other interest in Greystanes, however our relatives stay there frequently as we live very, very close by. It is very popular with groups.

I also agree that the town is a brilliant place if you take the time to look around and really talk to the locals rather than just driving through or stopping for a pie. There are a lot of hidden gems nearby such as Sullys Cidery at Riedsdale (15 mins away but currently closed) and swimming at Stewarts Crossing. Dojo bakery is located right near the main bakery, behind the main street buildings and the baked goods are a million times better that the main bakery.

The IGA stocks a lot of local fruit and veg according to the season. Braidwood Outdoors always send me broke because I can’t ever just buy what I went there for for and several of my mates travel from Canberra and Queanbeyan to get things from them as the customer service is awesome and you know you are supporting a proper local business.

The best part is the people are friendly and I found it to be an easy commute to Canberra for work since I would be travelling at least an hour to work if I lived in Sydney or Melbourne. Now I am off to the farmers market.

qbngeek said :

Been to Torpys several times and have nothing good to say about them, and that’s from someone who lives in Braidwood.

Lovely place, lovely owners, but haven’t eaten there but have mainly heard very good things about it.

For some reason Braidwood locals’ opinions on Torpy’s seem to be polarised, some love it and some hate it, so you may want to make up your own mind. Check out their menus online first as that will give you some idea of what to expect. Find somewhere to stay, as the Kings Highway at night is wombat alley, and who wants to be the designated driver and wombat avoider? Then you get to have breakfast in any number of fantastic places and wander around beautiful Braidwood in the morning. Braidwood is the jewel in the crown of southern NSW. Nowhere else compares (maybe Tilba).

The French place at Bungendore is highly regarded but I had the misfortune of being there ona a stinking hot night and it was really unpleasant. I’m also not a huge fan of French cuisine.

IP

astrojax said :

andym said :

The Carrington at Bungendore is pretty good too.

one idea was to stay at the carrington and eat at marcel’s (?) restaurant up the road… anyone with experiences eating there?

and i like the sound of ‘clinton devine’s’ better than ‘flint’… 🙂

some interesting ideas, thanks – keep ’em coming!

We did that back in August, stay at the Carrington, and eat at Marcel’s. Very pleasant on both accounts.
Happiness is when you don’t have to put your hand over your glass to ward off the lovely vino.

If you are thinking of Thredbo way, we had a nice birthday lunch at Crackenback Farm. They have accommodation I think, but I can also recommend Pender Lea Chalets just up the road.

andym said :

The Carrington at Bungendore is pretty good too.

one idea was to stay at the carrington and eat at marcel’s (?) restaurant up the road… anyone with experiences eating there?

and i like the sound of ‘clinton devine’s’ better than ‘flint’… 🙂

some interesting ideas, thanks – keep ’em coming!

The Carrington at Bungendore is pretty good too.

The Black Swan at Binalong used to be very popular, not sure if its still operating though.

Roundhead89 said :

I’ve heard ads on 2CC for a restaurant called Clinton Devine’s in Murrumbateman at the Celador winery. Sounds interesting.

That would be ‘Flint in the Vines’ at the Shaw cellar door.