If you ask me, everyone needs their very own Vineyard. I’m not talking about grapes and a cellar door (although that would be nice). No, I’m referring to a local restaurant to call your own just like I do with The Vineyard in the Sydney suburb of Crows Nest.
It’s the sort of dining option that’s…
• a walkable distance from my front door in heels
• just as suitable for an impromptu I-can’t-be-bothered-cooking-after-work evening as it is for a girl’s dinner or family get together
• generous with their wine by the glass servings (take that as a word of warning if you’re here on a school night!).
And best of all, whenever I step through the doors of The Vineyard and into the homely space complete with mood lighting, decorative hanging vines and rustic murals on the wall, I have complete and utter faith that the meal to come will hit the spot.
Escaping the chill on a cold winter’s evening, Mr LML and I are here for date night.
We settle in and study the modern Italian inspired menu and are, as always, tempted by the daily specials board too. Decisions, decisions!
Garlic bread is always a good place to start and the piping hot buttery goodness gets things off on the right note.
Despite the cool weather, we’re tempted by the Beef carpaccio with a salad of semi-dried figs, gorgonzola, rocket and truffle dressing and it doesn’t disappoint. The melt-in-your-mouth beef is complimented by the sweet hit of the fig and gorgonzola and it’s lucky we had the garlic bread to share too or things could have got heated 😉
Another must-have for any go-to restaurant is a go-to dish and I have to admit that despite a menu of tempting options, I find it hard to choose anything other than the Roast pumpkin and goat’s cheese tortelli, with thyme butter and walnuts.
In fact, the friendly and attentive waiters know my order before I even have to say it. Slightly embarrassing? Perhaps. Or as I’d prefer to think of it, a sign as to how good the homemade pasta here really is.
While Mr LML often opts for the Wild mushroom and truffle risotto with grana padano, he’s less of a creature of habit, and opts to try something new in the Tagliatelle with red wine braised beef cheeks and gremolata. I dub it a ‘man-pasta’ for the seriously generous amount of tender, full-flavoured beef it contains which inevitably scores his big tick of approval.
With all desserts made fresh daily on the premises, it’s well worth saving stomach space for a sweet finale. The Sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and homemade vanilla bean ice cream is truly delicious, but the Chocolate tortino with baileys anglaise is the star and well-worth the 12 minute wait.
You can’t go wrong with a good sticky date pudding
Melted chocolate goodness
The only downside? Being so close to home there’s no chance to walk off our three courses. A small price to pay though for another delicious meal at The Vineyard.
What is your go-to restaurant? Let us know in the comments why you love it.
