Category Archive: Restaurants
Vue de Monde
July, 2015 The Vanished Culture had previously enjoyed the street level, race trim sister, Bistro Vue. But nothing had prepared us for Vue de Monde – 55 levels steeper and taller than its sister in every way. Degustation is a horrible word but, since Vue de Monde, it is one of The Varnished Culture‘s favourites. We took our phlegmatic Melbourne relative N (a chicken-and-chips man) there mid week and even he was impressed – although you wouldn’t know. Don’t go there if you don’t like culinary experimentation and weirdness. Strange and magical little courses were served (and explained) by enthusiastic staff, the youngest one so new that he shook…
Continue Reading →Mercato @ Daylesford
Winter, 2015 We drove into Spa World (Daylesford, country Victoria) and immediately re-visited this terrific establishment for lunch, which we had last been to in 2010. We liked the place so much that we returned a few days later for dinner. It’s a non-descript wooden edifice on Raglan Street, the main drag that leads into Daylesford proper, but its big windows display the glow of fires and mood lighting. Tables are small and close but expertly configured for privacy. The art is inherently horrendous but suitable as part of the décor. For example, there are two plain black and white pieces…
Continue Reading →Peppers Springs Retreat
Winter, 2015 For The Varnished Culture, it was a week of cancellations, most of which, surprisingly, suited us mightily. 1. We were groaning in the early cold and imagined damp, having packed late the previous evening, when the airline rang and said our morning flight to Melbourne was cancelled due to fog. So we got to fly at a more genteel time. 2. Above the clouds, we were warned that turbulence was expected, so hot drinks were not available. This meant free booze in economy – such a shame the flight was a shorty! 3. Our hire car’s handbrake had been…
Continue Reading →The Witchery
Edinburgh, summer, 2013 If you are staying in Edinburgh, book dinner here. Ensure that you book ahead. You may need to be content with a late booking. We wended along the Royal Mile, ascending towards the Castle. L negotiated the cobbles expertly in her high heels. By 9.30pm we were past Boswell’s walk and ready to descend to the secret garden, our way lit by candles on each step (ladies with long gowns, beware). The day had been dry and sunny, with a bone chilling wind. From our cosy vantage, the sky was an arctic blue and pink and you could…
Continue Reading →Bitings on a Complimentary Basis.
Get your bitings here
In 2004, while staying in a converted monastery in wild, windy, Avignon, we read an invitation to “bitings on a complimentary basis” at 7pm . In some trepidation we donned evening garb, strung garlic around our necks and descended to the ancient hall for what turned out to be “free nibbles” and not of the flattering, cannibal sort. The European grip on English translation had not improved by 2013, when, in the train station at Sorrento we read a sign which frightened and confused us.
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