My Birthday - Day 3

After that stinking hottest ever recorded in Sydney day, we woke up in the Hunter Valley to a beautiful overcast and 20 degree morning! Perfect for a walk through the beautiful vineyards :)

We had breakfast at Cafe Enzo - we originally wanted to try Peterson's Champagne House but didn't realise you'd need a booking (for breakfast? really??) - I suppose the hot air balloon people book out the place for breakfast upon their return. Anyhow, it was meant to be because not only do Cafe Enzo serve Campos coffee, I got to enjoy my breakfast to the smooth sound of Sia's voice followed by Thom Yorke in Atoms for Peace (he's the lead singer of Radiohead if you didn't know!!) I love a cafe with fantastic taste in music!

My coffee came with a Tiny Teddy! I thought
it was an adorable touch!

Delicious eggs benedict on ciabatta with wilted spinach

For lunch we went to the beautiful Muse Kitchen - the head chef Troy of Muse Restaurant at Hungerford Hill winery (our favourite place on the planet) recently opened this intimate restaurant on the picturesque grounds of Keith Tulloch winery. Their doors weren't open for long before he was awarded yet another chef's hat!

Sashimi with Ruby Red Grapefruit, Soy & Ginger Dressing

The homey decor of Maine meets Provencale

The gnocchi at both Muse and Muse Kitchen are
the most delicious I have ever eaten

QLD Banana Prawn with truss tomatoes grown by the chef

Salad of Young Leaves with Radishes and Roast Macadamias

Iced Milk with Gingerbread Crumble and Cherries

The Beautiful Estate of Keith Tulloch Winery

The weather went from one extreme (the day before being the hottest recorded day) to the other - it began to rain. And pour it did. Which was unfortunate because there wasn't much we could do except stay in and watch the Australian Open on TV!

Well for dinner we drove down to Mount View - named so for a reason! The place was so stunning I want to move there. There is a small B&B at Tallavera Grove called "Little Orchard" and we had dinner at Bistro Molines - chef hatted for 3 consecutive years. Like Muse Kitchen, their cuisine is rustic French food.

Carpaccio of Kingfish on a Bed of Daikon Radish

Battered White Bait

Clam Linguine - I really enjoyed this

Pomme Frites :)

Rack of lamb with Petit Ratatouille Provençal,
roasted tomatoes, rosemary & garlic jus

Pan-seared Jewfish with King Prawn, Snow Pea Medley
and Saffron Cream

Chocolate Mousse Mille Feuille - Divine!

Chocolate Fondant with Caramel Ice Cream

I can't complain ;)