Wining and Dining at the Healesville Hotel

We've visited the wonderful TarraWarra Museum of Art a few times now, the last time being their Open Weekend. While we were there, we entered a competition and lo and behold, a few weeks later my husband got a phone call saying he had won a voucher for the Healesville Hotel.

My tummy rumbled just at the thought of it, so FF a couple of months, on a sunny Autumn day, we found ourselves cruising up Maroondah Hwy for a lazy lunch.

We were welcomed to the grand dining room by friendly staff and immediately felt relaxed and comfortable. The Autumnal decor was perfect, featuring a vase filled with Maple branches, their leaves a kaleidoscope of changing colours. 
Entrees of local fig, prosciutto and gorgonzola;eggplant, yoghurt and almonds. I noticed crispy chestnuts were featured on a chicken dish, and was thrilled that the Chef accommodated my request to add some to my chosen duck dish.
Mains were mouth watering dishes of Ocean Trout and Lamb.

Outside in the ivy covered courtyard, a Chef cooked chickens on the wood fired rotisserie as diners inhaled the aroma and enjoyed the alfresco setting.

After our meal, we grabbed a takeaway bottle of something cool, waddled outside and headed next door to the Kitchen and Butcher store, where we purchased exotic cheeses from afar, as well as local produce like figs and pine mushrooms.

We finished our time in Healesville with quick visit to my old school classmate, Tim, at Silvermist Studio. I hadn't seen Tim for many years, but recently reconnected with him on Instagram. Tim is a goldsmith and his jewellery making talent is evident in the beautiful pieces he creates on site and which are available for purchase. The gallery also sells works from other local artists. Beautiful, shiny things everywhere - worth a visit. 

What: Healesville Hotel

Where: 256 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville

When: Daily

Why: historic building, fine food

How Much:prices vary

Nearby: Tarrawarra MOMA