Daniel Alps Strathlynn, Launceston

Rita has been in Launceston for the past two days, meeting and conferencing, and sitting patiently listening to wise words, dispensed by many far wiser than I. Apart from that, obviously food was involved. Now the food at the venue we stayed at was, let’s be frank, pretty ordinary. Last night’s dinner (Pork, pictured below) surprised me a bit and was better than I had anticipated, but having said that, it wasn’t Tassie’s top tucker by a long shot.

So – at lunch break this afternoon, when everyone was dismissed for their 40 minute lunch break, Rita, in an unusual revolution against ordinary food, and in the firm knowledge that Daniel Alps Strathlynn was merely a seven minute car trip away, felt impelled to whizz quietly round there instead of munching out on satay sticks or whatever my fellow conferencers enjoyed today at lunch!

My luck held out, and with only one other table being occupied at Daniel Alps, and with Rita having been upfront in asking if it would offend them for me to have a quick entrée then dash off, the order was placed and appeared within about 10 minutes.

I ordered the entrée sized Crispy skin flathead ($22) which was done simply in, I think, lemon and butter, and served with pan fried new potatoes and some leaves. The dish was straightforward, uncomplicated and exactly as I would have done it myself. In short, it was perfect. I also had one of their beautiful crusty fresh baked rolls with olive oil, also perfect.

Flathead is a superb fish, in my opinion, and doesn't need any kind of enhancement at all to showcase its unique flavour, hence my pure enjoyment of the dish, and appreciation of the fact that they managed to hold off on the temptation to curry it, or batter it, or any other of the myriad methods chefs often use to mask something that tastes perfect with the most minimal preparation and cooking. Not a bone to be found either! Hats off to Daniel Alps!

Whilst waiting for my food, I checked out the shop attached to the restaurant, which sold, as well as wine, a few specific Daniel Alps products, like Truffled Salt ($10.95), an interesting looking Daniel Alps Curry Spice Mix ($15.90) and Daniel Alps Organic Eversley Pickled Cherries ($15.90) – all of which Rita bought.

I scoffed my fish down and dashed back to the venue, in time to appear as if by magic back in the conference room at the same time as the others, appearing, to all intents and purposes, as if I’d been there with them all along! Butter wouldn’t melt in Rita’s mouth!

The service at Daniel Alps proved also a stark contrast to my conference venue. It was prompt, efficient, friendly, informed, helpful and courteous. A truly professional team. I was told that Daniel Alps is yet another restaurant which prefers to source as much of their food locally as is humanly possible - a trait I wholeheartedly endorse.

It was a gorgeous day in Launceston today – sunny with blue skies but freezing cold. The vista at Strathlynn is breathtaking. It is a place where, if you want to impress visitors with one of Tassie’s many wonders, you should direct them or take them. It’s a vineyard and restaurant. It comes 100% recommended by Rita. Go there before you die.