Gladioli - INVERLEIGH

There are only a few rooms available in Inverleigh to stay in at a local bed and breakfast. This charming town is becoming a destination for food lovers due to the rise of Gladioli and there is no doubt in years to come there will be more rooms becoming available to stay. It is a thirty minute drive from Geelong where we are staying and with the benefit of hindsight on the wine matching, we are glad to have taken a reasonably expensive taxi to and from the restaurant. The charming little town translates into the restaurant. Set in an old house, it has been lovingly transformed into a small fine dining operation.

Another regional gem – this one in Inverleigh, about a half hour drive from Geelong. It’s on the main street, a small unassuming Victorian weatherboard. This lunch time I was dining on my own. There’s a choice of a five or eight course tasting menu. As I had a dinner booking back in Melbourne at 6pm, the five course was really the only option if I wanted to have any chance of being even slightly hungry by then. Not being a dessert fan, I asked in hope if I could swap the dessert course for another savoury. I expected the answer to be no, so I was really happy that it was no problem at all for them! I was even asked if I wanted anything in particular but I chose to leave it up to the chef, Matt Dempsey. Matt is committed to sourcing local produce, and I was pretty certain I’d be happy with anything that came from his kitchen.

It never disappoints....., thank you to Stacey front of house, and all the staff. It is the little things they do well. Went with great friends, one couple not having enjoyed the experience before . Loved the yabbies, the milk farm yard chicken, the chicory hapuka fish, but won't tell you the dessert...you have to check it out yourself...... we ordered the wine from a very extensive list. Go for the local wines. Trying to figure out when we can get to their new venture..Merne at the lighthouse. Bon Appetite .

Great food, with a beautiful Pinot, we ate off the degustation menu, was delicious start to finish mushroom and cauliflower purée was the surprise for me seeing raw mushroom come to the table didn't look appetising but what a surprise, the rich cauliflower purée tied them in perfectly, the optional courses of the blue cheese and honeycomb is a must, it was a much made in heaven

Although over an hours drive, the trip was worth it. Every dish looked amazing and it was nice to see the chef using coastal plants and mushrooms from the area in some of the dishes. The staff were attentive and very knowledgeable. The restaurant was also very accommodating in regards to changes of a dish or if you have allergies. Well done and recommendable. We enjoyed our lunch to celebrate our Anniversary.