lazy lunch: leaves and fishes

There's nothing quite like having a lazy lunch over the weekend or while you're on holiday, particularly out in the countryside. I'm sure everyone has their own handful of favourite cafes when they go on holiday.

One of my favourite weekend getaways would be the Hunter Valley where I can just relax and visit all my favourite café spots. On a recent trip to the Hunter I stumbled across a great little restaurant* in Lovedale that I had never heard of (which has been around for 6 years!). 

It's called Leaves & Fishes - such a pretty view and such a sparkly day, dont you agree?

In short, one of the most relaxing lunches I have had in a very long time. After a gorgeous crisp glass of the local sauvignon blanc, this is how it went down...

 Zucchini and prawn fritters with home made tomato salsa, crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside pared with a really great sauce to give that all-important tomato chilli boost

short and sweet: Hinky Dinks

Hinky Dinks is a real contender. 

In short, seriously impressive cocktails and I had very high expectations.The food is delicious. Interior is a modern interpretation of 1950s quirk. Central location just a stones throw from Eau de Vie in a neighbourhood that is often more dive than Dink.

The Saint Martini, $17 - a citrus martini it's strong, perfectly balanced and definitely up my alley. 

a cocktail to be savoured

 Zombie, $17 - something like 6 types of rum with lime and passionfruit. on the sweeter side but deceptively strong ... there's a reason you're only allowed 2 per visit!

So far so good...what's to eat?

 

We ordered the tomato, goats cheese and basil crostini, $8 (above) and the parmesan and olive toast, $9, which wasnt very pretty to look at (so no pic) but really tasty and not overly salty like it sounds. Pretty great value dont you think?

My pics dont do the place any justice at all, it's kinda cool and loungy at the front and retro at the back.

My favourite part of the night... I gave the bartender a challenge to replicate my all time favourite (and really obscure) cocktail from an ingredients list that, frankly, I dont even understand. He executes it with perfection and I was over the moon. This 'cocktail chef' is really on the ball.

My only minor criticism would be that they need more staff, poor guys were run off their feet mid-week. It would be nice to have a little more personable / attentive service.

Oh and another plus, the Asop handwash, which I love, and fresh orchids in the bathroom, adorable!

Cocktails first, questions later   ...?

...Indeed.

Hinky Dinks
185 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst
8084 6379
hinkydinks.com.au

 

.pic from agenda sydney

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Finalist, Pedestrian Blogster Awards 2011

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I've loved bringing them to you, it's been a hard life !