Plough Creek
  • Plough Creek Homestead
    • About Us
    • Accommodation >
      • Bookings/enquiries
    • Venue
    • Gallery
  • PCH Blog
  • Plough Creek Cooking School
    • What's on >
      • Bookings/enquiries
    • Gallery
  • Plough Creek Garden
    • Garden events >
      • Bookings/enquiries
    • Plough Creek General Store
    • Gallery
  • Supporters Suppliers & Sponsors
  • Archives
  • Feedback
  • Contact us

Happy faces, places & spaces #9 - 2014 ….Celebration of 18 years

20/6/2014

0 Comments

 
In usual style of planning a surprise, Tez organised a weekend away for our 18th anniversary. I had no clues to what he arranged.  I had thought of three possibilities; firstly I wondered if maybe he had booked us into a cooking school in Tasmania I have been lamenting. Then I thought we may be going to Melbourne for some wining and dining. Lastly I was anxious he may be considering a camping getaway. I do remind him often I prefer to sleep five star rather than under five million of them!

As we ventured of it was not until we had driven past the Airport turnoff on the M1 that I could piece together we were heading down the Great Ocean Road – to a still secret destination. Finally after driving through Lorne, he told me we were staying somewhere near Apollo Bay. Over the 20 years we have known each other, we have had many a fun weekend or short holiday at various places along the Great Ocean Road. Certainly a magnificent part of this great country of ours.

Arrival at our final destination revealed a booking at a venue near Apollo Bay, Chris’s Beacon Point. 

Dinner on the Saturday night was an average meal – good wholesome winter fare, that was comforting. What stole the show was the spectacular view from our room and the restaurant.
Picture
Australian coast – truly wonderful views
However, the big event was the next day, on Sunday. 

Nearly 20 years ago, during our early days of courtship, Tez took me for lunch at a regional restaurant called Sunnybrae. I recall we enjoyed a wonderful lunch and the setting was idyllic. Regional, old style venue and although I don’t remember the specifics of the menu, I do remember we had a delicious lunch.

Sunnybrae had changed ownership some time ago and a well-known chef from another regional town, had taken over.  Some refurbishment and a makeover for the menu and grounds has re-established the restaurant and venue.

Lunch at Brae was our 18th celebratory treat.
Picture
Table decoration – simple but effective (especially, as I do love the flower from Hakea trees)
Usually I rave or rant about the food. As I have said before, I am not a food critic, I don’t pretend to be a critic, just a discerning customer, but I do like to share what I like and don’t like so much. Probably it should only be about the food when talking about a restaurant. For me though, it is the whole event/experience.

At Brae, quite simply I loved the food. I couldn’t do justice to the description of the food that a chef friend recently recalled to me after his visit there which was far more “food knowledgeable & discerning” than anything I could put into words.

But this happy place left another amazing impression on me. It was the atmosphere and service that I was really impressed by.

The décor  is interesting (bad word but I mean it in a very positive way). It was simple in some ways and intriguing in other ways. However, it felt VERY comfortable – to my mind, this in itself lends to a greater dining experience.
Picture
Deb & Tez - After 18 years!!
The staff and service were very impressive by their professionalism but not in a smug or arrogant way. Quite simply they just all seemed to love working there.

There were lovely features of sofas near the wood burning fireplace to have a rest between courses or just chill-out for a while. There were some spots to walk around the garden and there was even a very welcoming looking courtyard where I observed the staff got together and shared a meal at the end of service. I like a venue that looks after staff!

All in all, it was a long way from home, but worth the trip. For us it was certainly worthy of our special celebration and we were happy to go away not being disappointed.

Picture
For all round wonderful experience it definitely has a 4 Nonna rating for me. 

Picture
Brae – view from the sofa
Yes, I would recommend the time to have this getaway and definitely say YES if you asked me if I would go there again.

Happy tastings … DC 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    PCH Blog

    Featuring the "PCH country cook and gardener"
    Picture
    Una goccia di Toscana...
    Une touché de Provence...
    a taste of Gippsland

    Archives

    December 2021
    September 2021
    January 2021
    December 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.