How many times have I driven past past the sign for Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm at Elizabeth Town and thought to myself "It's sure to be yet another shining example of Tassie serving extremely mediocre food to cater for the instant gratification of millions" and never bothered turning off the road to Devonport to check it out? Heaps.
Well on Wednesday I actually stopped, went in, had morning tea and a great chat with one of the owners. I eat all my words from years past. It was fantastic there. It's a surprisingly big business, with 2 chefs, 3 apprentices, and approximately 40 casual staff, which caters daily (open every day of the year except Christmas Day and Good Friday) for the crowds from breakfast at 7.00 am onwards all through the day - and believe me there were squillions of customers!
They've got the market cornered on retailing everything raspberry, even socks! Can you believe Raspberry Socks for sale in their shop? $7.50 a pair from memory! The owner took a pair out of the cellophane packet so we could smell them and they are SO overpoweringly raspberry-ey! Apart from that there was Raspberry Jam, Frozen Raspberries, Raspberry Sauce, Raspberry Pate (No - just kidding - testing to see if you have gone to sleep yet!) etc.
Above is pictured my morning tea delight of - guess what? Yup, Raspberry Muffin with Raspberry Butter.
So - if you've been a slackarse like me, and never bothered stopping at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, next time you're in the area, surprise yourself and get in there for a meal or a nibble.
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10 comments:
We stopped there too, again a bit reluctant, not sure why we felt that way.
Had the Ashgrove wasabi fondue. Stacks of amazing fresh vegies to dip, three different types of GOOD bread. And cheap.
What a regional gem. Bet they never get any support form TT or DED.
Fond memories of going there as a kid with my Grandparents. Loved picking sun warmed, ripe raspberries. Glad to see it is still going strong.
You're probably right there Kitty regarding support. Owner didn't mention assistance from outside, on thorough quizzing from Rita.
HRV - good job you've got those memories, because when I asked about where the actual raspberry canes were (you can't see them from the cafe), waitress pointed out the back and said that they were back there, and if I cared to take a walk round the pond I would be able to see them, but they have had to curtail tiptoeing through the raspberries for OH&S reasons. I feel she might have been witholding a bit of info there, but that's what she said.
Stopped there a couple of times when I was doing the work run up to the NW coast. Its GOOD. The chef actually gave me her mustard recipe a couple of years ago as it was the first mustard I had encountoured taht I liked.
you forgot to mention was a beautiful setting it is too... for being on the side of a major highway...
You're precisely right Anon 10.39. I DID indeed forget to say it it a beautiful setting - and it IS. It is idyllic, and gives you a feeling of relaxation when you're in there, as we were, earlier in the day - when it's a bit quieter. Later on, as we left, I noticed it was way noisier and crowded, with the carpark filled with campervans, hire cars and cars all with interstate number plates.
The grey brigade are out in force up the NW generally!
I can vouch for their estate grown raspberries Rita, I swa them with me own four eyes.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food & the very friendly service. It was a real treat for the kids & us. Little wonder its so busy.
Gobbler - glad you can vouch for the raspberries! Owner told us that they like to focus on great service, as well as food - music to my ears!
I went to Christmas Hills with some family friends for lunch back in January and it was abysmal.
Their lunch menu is overpriced and very bland.
However, I did have a dessert (raspberry pancakes) that was fantastic.
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