Perhaps the first restaurant we've been to in Australia that really met the standards of the best…read moreanywhere. Really world class. Food and its preparation, staff attitude, knowledge, suggestions and performance and, of course, wine offerings from the area were just outstanding. The location was great, with an expansive view over vineyards. It was my wife's birthday and a very classy touch was added, with just a small candle in the dessert (not the embarrassing sparkler version that everyone in the place notices) with "happy birthday" written on the plate in chocolate sauce. Very reasonably priced for the quality; highly recommended

This place could easily be 5/stars. But there are a few issues that are mitigating that. Tables are…read morewobbly and in weird locations to the view. Dining room sacrifices the unused buffet tables used for breakfast, that have a view across the vineyard. No dining at these tables. Just sitting there empty. The service is best explained as "trying". Which is better than CBF, but is clearly inexperienced but attentive. The food was nearly flawless. Just question the portion sizes. As we had one dish that was very generous with scallops and pork belly, but the other was a 72-hr slow cooked short rib, and it was literally one rib! Very nice atmosphere, but was knock backed by the wobbly table, several attempts made to rectify, but unsuccessful. Had breakfast next 2-days at different tables, same issue. Need to fix this beyond pieces of cork.

We had the chicken wings -don't if you like chicken wings…read more They are not oven or bbq cooked in sauce but dry deep fried to the point where the skin fused to the meat (the inside meat was okay). The outside was also extremely salty. The wings came with a choice of two sauces in pots, both of which tasted like they came from a Woolies home brand bottle. Despite how dry the exterior of the wings were adding the sauce was counter productive.

A nice spot for a mid week birthday lunch in the Hunter Valley. I have been once before a few years…read moreago and the first thing I noticed was the parking. It has been upgraded to sealed surface rather than bumpy dirt. With a 1 week old new car it was a welcome sight. The wait for drinks and food after ordering was lengthier than expected given it was not busy. My husband ordered a beer paddle and basil fettuccine. A little more chorizo and less focus on the toppings would be nice but he enjoyed it anyway. The dumpling entree special was.... different. The filling was a bit dry and the texture was unusual. The chilli dipping sauce was not what we expected either. I can't really put my finger on what the flavour was. It was just lacking. In comparison to chilli oil that most people would be accustomed to that packs a massive flavour hit. My chicken supreme was delicious. I loved the vibrant colour from the carrot purée. The chicken was moist and the potatoes crisp.

A pleasant surprise…read more To book for this restaurant you have to book online or call in the day to see if they have room. My partner and I booked online and it stated we would be contacted to confirm our booking. We never heard anything by 8.30 on the day before we wanted to go so we called up and was told someone would defiantly get in contact with us. Next day came and still no one had called or emailed us so we went to the hunter to do some wine tasting before going for dinner. We called back at 5 pm to confirm our booking for 6 pm and the lady who answered stated they don't send confirmations for bookings yet online it states otherwise! Anyway the lady had confused us with a different couple and had to try and fit us in for 6 pm which ended up happening. When we drove up there and down the driveway we were shocked to see the restaurant was a house and very basic. We walked around to the front door and straight away great service from the staff. We ordered the 3 entree's ravioli, king prawns and filled mushroom. Great food and full of flavor. It is fairly pricy but worth it. Mains we ordered the steak and again amazing food. Very filling and cooked medium as we ordered it to be. Dessert we ordered two different dishes and well worth it. Only bad part the dessert was the biggest dish of the day compared to entree and main. As we had finished our dessert we were taking in the view and relaxing. When the waitress came and picked up our plates and asked us how it was we said good thank you and her response was "are you ok. You seem really sad" I'm sorry but that is very unprofessional when all we were doing was taking in the view and relaxing. Only because we weren't loud or as enthusiastic as she expected apparently we were sad! The couple sitting behind us even made a comment when the waitress left and said how unprofessional that was and apparently now you can't enjoy the view and the company. It only went downhill from there as when I got the bill I had a voucher for the restaurant which was given to me as a gift. The waitress straight away seemed annoyed when I showed it to her and was not very friendly when I said I would like to use it. Her response was "you know I can't refund you the money I will have to give you a new voucher". I never expected a refund or anything as it was a gift given to me and would only expect to have the remanding money for if I was to return to the restaurant. As the waitress walked away she shrunk her shoulders and had a slight attitude as it seemed like she was after more. One thing that would be very helpful would be something for the flies outside when you are eating as there was an insane amount around you and got quite frustrating. Apart from the few mishaps it was good food. It's not a place I would rush back to for the above reasons but certainly worth a try once.

Came with my partner for Sunday lunch for our anniversary. We decided on 3 courses. Both seafood…read moreentrees were nice but I think there could have been one more ravioli for the price. We both ordered the eye fillet. To look at, mine was overdone, but it was still incredibly tender. The galette, butter and gravy were perfect accompaniments. We were discussing what we thought so far and were not fully impressed but decided to hold off criticism until we had dessert. We made the right choice! I ordered the banana pudding and it was amazing. I didn't eat the toffee on top but it completed the WOW factor. The price was fitting for the location, service and food. Staff were very friendly and always on top of clearing the table and refreshing drinks. We also spotted a few roos amongst the vines. Lovely afternoon.

This restaurant is in the heart of the Hunter Valley Wine Region. The atmosphere is lovely…read moreoverlooking the Hunter Valley garden. We ordered braised octopus, salmon fillet and Australian wagyu beef which was cooked beautifully. The food was delicious!The service was good.

My partner and I came here on our first night up in the Hunter Valley and safe to say this is…read moredefinitely a recommended place to stop for dinner. While being a little bit pricey for what you get, most mains are just the main dish and you need to buy a side as well. The taste is amazing. I chose the 250 gram scotch fillet with the rosemary jus. When I tried the steak at first by itself I was a little unimpressed, it had a strong char taste and wasn't very juicy. But once I tipped the rosemary jus on top, and squeezed out the lemon with a little salt and pepper. My god it was good. After finishing the steak I was using the fries (pommes frites) to absorb the delicious sauce that was on my plate. If I hadn't have been in a classy restaurant I would have licked the plate. My partner ordered the 8 hour slow braised lamb shoulder which I tried and it was just as delicious and falling apart. She also got the heirloom carrots which were also tasty. Overall I was very happy with the food and the staff regularly checking if we needed drinks. Combined with the entertainment card the price was reasonable.

OK, we did not know what to expect here. No reviews, just heard the name a few years ago when we…read morewere up here but it was closed at the time so couldn't partake. Do you like pork? They do it four ways. Not to mention the delicious ocean trout and wagyu strip. But seriously, pork four ways! Star dish, thank you. Waitress was a little bit butter fingers on the day, but not enough to lessen the star value. Great wine selections and fantastic food, located near some place called Hunter Country Lodge, its seriously good food.

I visited Shakey Tables for dinner and say the food was lovely. They have a great chef…read more Unfortunately I was very disappointed by the service from the owner/manager. From the minute we sat down he had a degree of attitude that was upsetting. We even politely tried to address with him during the meal. We were then asked to leave. I was amazed at such poor customer service especially form the owner. I must point out that we were not rude in any way and even kept or voices very quite so no other guest could hear yet he did raise his voice. I never bother writing reviews but my partner so so upset for this experience I feel I have to share.

This restaurant produces what is easily the best vegan food I have ever had! I was made aware of…read moretheir separate vegan menu by the staff at Oakvale next door and booked in shortly afterwards. I am so glad that we did! Because the six course dinner we had was nothing short of incredible. The service was impeccable, the restaurant itself was beautiful. And the food, well that was unlike anything I've ever eaten before. Such wonderful flavours fostered from seasonal and fresh produce. Would absolutely dine again! A must fine dining experience for any vegan visiting the area.

What can I say!?! We have had many degustations / progressive dinners. This one we experienced at…read morethe Chefs Bar, which is like a chefs table. You are sitting at the expediting bar, and see the chef and cooks finish all the meals off before being served. And they share with you all the tips and secrets of what they are doing. Very engaging. Entertainment factor is extreme, then there is the food and paired wines. We did the EXP.erience menu. Calling it delicious would be an understatement. From the hand sliced chips to the honey and roe to the chicken fat butter. I don't know how to express the deliciousness of this menu and the skills in this kitchen. Service was outstanding. We were obviously overhead stating we needed to come back the next day when the cellar door was open to get a bottle of wine, and they came to us with it offering it at cellar door prices! That is service, that is class. Deliciousness!!!

With good coffee, friendly staff, a very tempting selection of local and imported cheeses for sale…read moreand De Iuliis cellar doors next door, this place is well worth a visit. The German breakfast was pretty good. The. Black Forest bacon was awesome and the mushrooms very good. To boot, my breakfast, the wife's eggs on gluten free today with mushrooms, the daughter's cheesy today with tomatoes on top and 2 coffees added up to only $38, making this place pretty good value for the Hunter. :)

Great service with good food and wine. I would highly recommend the cheese. The red wine tasting…read moremenu was a great choice for a light lunch. There is both inside and outside seating which was great for us with the dog

Legendary status food! Amazing service! Wanna try all the menu, seriously, it's that good!!!read more

Great service, better food, excellent wine pairings. Had the heirloom tomato and mozzarella caprese…read moreand the ragout. Outstanding dishes with perfectly paired wines.