Solitary Restaurant & Kiosk

By Franz Scheurer

Perched on the hillside overlooking majestic Mount Solitary, Kings Tableland and the Jamison Valley, this is one of the prime spots in the Blue Mountains. Take a table on the lawn and enjoy the simpler (and cheaper) kiosk food, or sit inside the restaurant proper, which still offers great views.

The first thing I noticed was the wine list. It might be small but it’s terrific. Reasonably hard to get items like Giaconda and stunning wines like Ashton Hills and Bloodwood populate an approachable and captivating list. The menu is a great read too and we order ‘Prosciutto di San Daniele with date and pistachio terrine’ ($19.50), ‘Garlic King prawns with house-made linguini pasta’ ($23.50) and ‘Zucchini flowers stuffed with smoked trout’ ($22.50). The Prosciutto is served with a very good Pedro Jimenez jelly and aged balsamic which works a treat. All entrées present well and the zucchini flowers are excellent, especially the accompanying avocado, crab and gremolata. The pasta is not as good, a touch watery and lacking salt.

For mains we try the ‘Lamb loin with Jerusalem artichokes’ served with roast leek, tomato and smoked paprika rouille ($35.50), the ‘Eggplant tortilla, with sheep's milk cheese’ ($29.50), the dish of the day, spiced North African style and although light, full of flavour and textures. A side of roast rosemary potatoes (peeled!) and green beans (undercooked for my liking) complete the mains.

A bottle of Giaconda Nantua les Deux complements the food rather well, and I must commend the restaurant on making their own lemonade, which is very good indeed.

Although quite sated we can’t resist the desserts and try ‘Caramelised banana bavarois’ ($14), ‘Nectarine soufflé’ ($15) and ‘Coeur a la crème with strawberries and nectarine sorbet’ ($14). All very good, though I prefer a béchamel-based soufflé to a pure egg-white soufflé.

Service is professional and friendly and the timing is good. I am not sure if it is a good idea to serve the kiosk menu inside, next to the restaurant tables, the obvious (and necessary) differences dictated by price are not a good mix next to tablecloths and good stemware and cutlery.

The restaurant is open for lunch weekends and for dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

Score: 7/10

For more information or bookings:

Solitary Restaurant & Kiosk

90 Cliff Drive

Leura NSW 2780

Australia

Tel.: 02 4782 1164

Go to: www.solitary.com.au