Cracked Pepper Restaurant

During our recent trip to the Hunter Valley we visited this gem of a restaurant. It's nestled in the gardens adjacent to the Butterfly Garden gallery which showcases some quirky treasures and the award winning de luliis Winery. This was our last meal in the Hunter Valley before we headed back to Sydney. We made our way to the Winery first as we reached a little early. After wine tasting we proceeded to the restaurant, our reservation was for 12 pm for lunch and there were many guests enjoying brunch/breakfast. The restaurant is modern, simple and has a beautiful view to the garden. 

Interior of the Restaurant

Butterfly Garden Gallery treasures displayed - looks like something out of Tim Burton's movie

We were in a hurry to get back home unfortunately so it was a quick meal. We only had mains but hope to go back to try more dishes.

Main 1: Pan fried Crumbed lamb's Brains on buttered spinach and crisp potato wafers with bacon batons, creamy honey mustard and thyme sauce

Price: $18.5

Hubby ordered this dish and was very pleased with it. The lamb brains were crispy on the outside and were creamy inside. The sauce complemented it very well and it had great texture with the addition of the potato crisps. The portions are not huge so we ordered a side of the chips as well.

Crumbed Lamb Brains with Potato Crisps

Main 2: Warm tartlet of roasted pumpkin, sage, pine nuts, Binorie fetta and local roquette

Price: $18.5

I absolutely love pumpkin and just had to order this dish and it definitely did not disappoint. The pumpkin, fetta filling was delicious and the pastry was nice and crisp. I loved the addition of the sticky balsamic. It was an enjoyable dish. 

Pumpkin, fetta, pine nut tart with Rquette 

Service 8/10

Food 9/10

Ambience 8/10

One of the things that stood out about this restaurant was the fact that they take pride in serving vegetarian, vegan and allergy friendly food. They are also committed to using local, fresh and sustainably produced ingredients. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, it has a nice ambience, great food and lovely staff.

Note: As with all restaurant reviews I try and be as objective and detailed in my review, and  I do include non-vegetarian dishes which are tried by others as well. This in no way means that I support it, but I do respect another person's freedom and choices.