Steve and I have had a lovely weekend in the Yarra Valley with the Timberts (Shern and Jon.) We stayed at Furmston House where we have been previously and we obviously love it in there hence the return and on Saturday we spent the day with Geoff from Yarra Valley Private Winery Tours. As part of the itinerary, lunch was provided at Tokar.
We and the Timberts have both previously been to Tokar for a wine tasting a while back and separately. Upon discussion, we found we had similar experiences in that it was a rushed tasting and service was not as attentive as it could have been as it was the same staff as in the restaurant which was busy at the time. So we both concluded that it was more a restaurant than a cellar door.
We and the Timberts have both previously been to Tokar for a wine tasting a while back and separately. Upon discussion, we found we had similar experiences in that it was a rushed tasting and service was not as attentive as it could have been as it was the same staff as in the restaurant which was busy at the time. So we both concluded that it was more a restaurant than a cellar door.
So unconvinced by the cellar door, we hoped to be convinced by the restaurant offering. We were welcomed warmly and shown to our table immediately. Thanks to Geoff's planning, there was no need to wait.
Our table was a roomy square table not far from the windows and in the cut and thrust of the dining room which had a nice ambience and a Mediterranean feel.
After we chose our food options, we were shown to the counter for wine tasting and looked after professionally although, part of the commentary did sound a bit scripted.
Anyway we were definitely better looked after this time round although we found the wine so so but we'd probably been spoilt having been round the best that the Yarra Valley has to offer. There was enough to find something pleasant to accompany lunch though naturally!
Our table was a roomy square table not far from the windows and in the cut and thrust of the dining room which had a nice ambience and a Mediterranean feel.
After we chose our food options, we were shown to the counter for wine tasting and looked after professionally although, part of the commentary did sound a bit scripted.
Anyway we were definitely better looked after this time round although we found the wine so so but we'd probably been spoilt having been round the best that the Yarra Valley has to offer. There was enough to find something pleasant to accompany lunch though naturally!
|
|
Jon, Shern and I all went with the Calamari Spiced with Ras El Hanout, Oregano Labne and a Fennel and Parsley Salad. It looked quite appetising, golden and crispy. It was piping hot and the crust was crispy and the calamari very tender. It was the kind of food that is needed at 1:15pm having started the winery tour at 10am! Flavour wise, I felt it was lacking. The Ras El Hanout didn't seem to be there, the dollop of oregano labne was tangy and creamy but it was really small and the fennel and parsley salad really needed some sort of acidic dressing. So the basics were right in terms of temperature, texture and quality of produce but it really needed a good whollop of flavour.
The Confit Duck Rillettes that Steve ordered was much tastier and was classically executed with no complaints.
The Confit Duck Rillettes that Steve ordered was much tastier and was classically executed with no complaints.
|
Steve and I both had the char grilled steak which was had been informed was porterhouse with sprouts and a red wine and pepper jus. Again, presentation was appetising. I enjoyed the bacon with the bitter sprouts. The steak itself was tender but wasn't particularly meaty in flavour.
Jon had the fish of the day which was a salmon fillet with a romesco sauce on top of some green beans that had been tossed through some green pesto. |
Our dishes were probably best described as "fine". Not terrible, but not amazing. Acceptable is probably another word I could use. It reminded me of wedding food so like mass banqueting rather than a la carte.
Shern's saffron infused wild mushroom paella, thyme, sherry and shaved Parmesan was probably the worst pick. The shaved Parmeson was more chunks of melted non descript stringy cheese and the rice was undercooked so chalky and grainy and the rice was suspended in some gloopy soupy liquid.
Whilst we weren't overly impressed and don't feel the need to return we also realise that there aren't a huge amount of options in the Yarra Valley for a tour group to use. My usual preferred choice of Innocent Bystander in Healesville is too busy and has enough customers of its own without having to broker some relationship with tour groups. I've had pizza at Coldstream Brewery and there "fine" like this place so no gain there. Coombe Estate, De Bortoli all take too long and are expensive which would increase the cost of the tour. Platters at Medhurst whilst tasty are again expensive and something more substantial is probably sensible when on a wine tour.
Whilst the food and wine were merely acceptable, I did feel that the service was pretty attentive.
Shern's saffron infused wild mushroom paella, thyme, sherry and shaved Parmesan was probably the worst pick. The shaved Parmeson was more chunks of melted non descript stringy cheese and the rice was undercooked so chalky and grainy and the rice was suspended in some gloopy soupy liquid.
Whilst we weren't overly impressed and don't feel the need to return we also realise that there aren't a huge amount of options in the Yarra Valley for a tour group to use. My usual preferred choice of Innocent Bystander in Healesville is too busy and has enough customers of its own without having to broker some relationship with tour groups. I've had pizza at Coldstream Brewery and there "fine" like this place so no gain there. Coombe Estate, De Bortoli all take too long and are expensive which would increase the cost of the tour. Platters at Medhurst whilst tasty are again expensive and something more substantial is probably sensible when on a wine tour.
Whilst the food and wine were merely acceptable, I did feel that the service was pretty attentive.
RSS Feed
