Leaves & Fishes

By Franz Scheurer

Combine a silver perch fish farm, a great location, eccentric building and a flair for interior decorating with good food, respect for fresh produce, hearty portions and you have Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale. One of the few places in the Hunter Valley to serve a hearty breakfast and a terrific lunch (and dinner Friday and Saturday) they offer a real sense of old fashioned hospitality where nothing is too much trouble.

The quality of the bread is outstanding and there’s plenty of it. I do get excited about bread and get really upset when wait staff whisk away my bread plate before main course because they figure I’ve already cost them enough in free bread. Bread is a sign or hospitality and is an important component in the success of a meal. Ask any reviewer…

Chips are hand-cut, fish is fresh, plating is country-style generous and the meat is superb quality and perfectly cooked. I ordered a fillet wrapped in pancetta with a mushroom ragout, jus and chips and the fillet was perfectly blue (and warm throughout) and everything just came together beautifully; impressive skills and thoughtful procuring of ingredients. An antipasto plate (so often an unimaginative collection of leftovers) was put together with care and all components worked and were freshly prepared. Service was excellent, the wine list quite good and the ambience fantastic; what’s not to like?

This is a fabulous spot for a little time-out, both for locals and city visitors.

Goodonya team, keep it up!

Score: 6.5/10

For more information:

Leaves & Fishes

373 Lovedale Road

Lovedale NSW 2320

Tel.: 02 4930 7400

http://www.leavesandfishes.com/