{"id":33525,"date":"2014-06-20T13:59:15","date_gmt":"2014-06-20T03:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/blog\/?p=33525"},"modified":"2018-05-14T08:35:48","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T22:35:48","slug":"wine-dine-and-let-your-hair-shine-in-bendigo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wine-dine-and-let-your-hair-shine-in-bendigo\/","title":{"rendered":"Wine, dine and let your hair shine in Bendigo"},"content":{"rendered":"

I found myself in need of a foodie fix recently. Craving time to treat my taste buds and widen the palate. So I grabbed LML Kirsty and decided a quick trip to Bendigo<\/a> was in order, and boy did we strike gold, without even panning for it. \ud83d\ude09<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bendigo celebrates the arts everywhere you go, showcasing local and international talent in galleries, shop fronts, cafes, hotels, parks and even on their historic trams.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

Luckily for us, the locals have extended this love of art into their food as well, providing us with a blank canvas for a colourful weekend away.<\/p>\n

Here is our masterpiece:<\/p>\n

After a 90 minute drive from Melbourne<\/a>, we make our way to Bendigo Art Gallery<\/a> for lunch. As we stroll through, I ogle the art which includes photographs that capture the world\u2019s diversity and others that demand my attention as we walk by (who can\u2019t miss a man-bear-pig!).<\/p>\n

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Appreciation of art I can relate to (delish food perfectly assembled on a plate!)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Gallery is host to international and Australian exhibitions, drawing huge crowds of both art enthusiasts and the mildly curious (us).<\/p>\n

As we are seated in the Gallery Cafe<\/a>, floor to ceiling windows flood the room with natural light and provide views of lush green gardens in Rosalind Park. I\u2019m craving something fresh and order chilli lime fish cakes with Asian slaw. Kirsty orders a hearty caramelised onion and leek tart with salmon and pesto. Both meals are coupled with wine to match by friendly staff.<\/p>\n

With the urge for something sweet settling in after lunch, we make our way to Indulge Chocolates<\/a>, a quaint boutique shop under the Bendigo Bank that specialises in fine chocolates. I\u2019m suspicious that this is the banks hidden vault; I’ve never tasted something so rich!<\/p>\n

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Make sure you try their Castlemaine sugar candy, it\u2019s never-ending sweetness!<\/p><\/div>\n

Crafted on site, the individual pieces are adorable, made from locally sourced ingredients (besides the hero ingredient of Callabaut Belgium Chocolate) and are all gluten free.<\/p>\n

After walking along Bendigo\u2019s main strip, Pall Mall, and popping into Bob Boutique<\/a>, we can\u2019t pass up the opportunity to be pampered at hair salon, Jools for Jim<\/a>. As we pull up a chair, the staff describe a new \u2018Shu Eumera- Art of Hair\u2019 ritual with shiatsu massages and a tailored treatment. I know my locks are in for a treat!<\/p>\n

While our hair replenishes, we enjoy a glass of bubbles and some pretzels- this I could get used to!<\/p>\n

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Cheers!<\/p><\/div>\n

Next, we spot Pondalowie Wines<\/a> cellar door and naturally hook up a private tasting of their selection of wines with owner Dominic Morris. Having spent many years winemaking in France and Portugal, Dominic has brought his experiences to Bendigo and is harvesting premium red wines from alternative grape varieties. I chat with Dominic about my travels in Portugal (it\u2019s my fave holiday spot) and it \u2018s clear how much of his love of the country is infused into his wines.<\/p>\n

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Generally preferring a white drop, I am pleasantly surprised with the unique flavours and collect a bottle of Shiraz and Shiraz jelly which I plan to crack open with Mr LML the night I get home, it\u2019s that good!<\/p><\/div>\n

Dinner is at Rocks on Rosalind<\/a>, a restaurant inside a circa 1863 National Bank. It’s fancy yet modern and still features the original stone clad vault that is cleverly worked into the restaurant layout. As we snoop other plates, it seems the tasting banquet of 10 items per person is a popular choice, but I can\u2019t stray from our waiter\u2019s recommendation of bug, prawn, scallop and bok choy curry. Happiness on a plate!<\/p>\n

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Our waiter suggests local wine for each dish to which we respond, yes please!<\/p><\/div>\n

On our way back to our colourful digs at the new The Schaller Studio<\/a>, which Kirsty paints a perfect picture of here<\/a>, we pop across the road from dinner to The Wine Bank<\/a> for one last drop of the region\u2019s finest. Not only does the bar serve wine from nearby Heathcote regions, they also stock international wines. This place houses a serious collection in, you guessed it, another historic bank!<\/p>\n

The next day we have brekkie at Percy and Percy<\/a>. Hugging an inner suburban corner, Percy and Percy is an old corner store repurposed into a charming cafe. Our hairdressers from the day before recommend an early appearance as it fills up fairly fast. The 7am chill is fixed as we\u2019re served HOT coffee and a hearty breakfast from lovely staff.<\/p>\n

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Welcomed by cosy sun-lit table settings, fresh flowers and tiny teddy buddies, we instantly feel warm from the inside-out!<\/p><\/div>\n

For lunch, we head to the hotspot of town, and by hotspot I mean the place absolutely everybody in town eats at – Brewhouse Caf\u00e9<\/a>. The smell of roasting coffee hits us long before we enter, and as we\u2019re shown to our table (a shared banquet table) we\u2019re hit with bursts of colourful industrial flair, graffiti art, and sit next to a wall of lifestyle and interior magazines (handy to flick through while waiting). Regardless of the busy atmosphere, the caf\u00e9 delivers on flavour equally in their onsite roasted coffee and gourmet bites.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

Have you been to Bendigo? Tell us about it in the comments.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>
\nHungry? Me too. Book a trip to Bendigo here<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n