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VIC

Tarrawarra Estate Located on a 400-hectare property in Yarra Glen, this hatted restaurant is led by a true local. Born in the Yarra Valley, head chef Joel Alderdice crafts cuisine with a focus on provenance and sustainability – foraged wild goods and vegetables grown in the estate’s kitchen garden enhance the seasonal menu. Specials from the tasting menu include: spring vegetables with ricotta, holy flax, pork jowl; risotto with parmesan, pink yam, confit garlic; smoked lamb backstrap with radicchio, black garlic, mandarin. The desserts are equally tantalising: macadamia tart, jasmine rice cream, koji caramel; or the chef’s cheese selection with candied walnuts, raisins, lavosh. Book a tasting session at the estate’s subterranean cellar door, or savour the valley views from the deck. Book online. tarrawarra.com.au

WA

Vasse Felix With accolades such as WA Good Food Guide 2021 Restaurant of the Year, and Gourmet Traveller Top 80 Restaurants 2022, this establishment in Cowaramup serves up a memorable Margaret River culinary journey. Head chef Brendan Pratt hails from Perth and honed his skills in Michelin-starred UK eateries The Fat Duck and The Ledbury. Vasse Felix’s refined modern Australian menu includes dishes such as: quail, mortadella, char sui; pork, daikon, blood pudding and Szechuan; and for dessert, choose from moreish chocolate, burnt butter and whey, or blueberry, milk, chocolate. Prefer a savoury finish? Try a platter of gourmet cheeses made in nearby Nannup, teamed with delicate wines. vassefelix.com.au