Eating in Jindabyne and Perisher, NSW's Snowy Mountains

One of the (many, poor) excuses I have for my extended absence here is this: almost every spare moment of my winter has been spent sliding down a mountain.

While the skiing itself isn't cheap, the food available is another thing altogether. If you want to eat on the mountain, in the resort, while skiing, you have to dig deep into your purse. And you don't get much for it. Second rate pies, soggy pizza, and nasty looking fast food is mostly the go, and yet, when there's no other option, folks are willing to pay.

Having said that, it's not all bad news. Especially once you get off the mountain.

I've previously blogge about the fabulous Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery, and my ongoing love affair with Crackenback Cottage near Jindabyne, in NSW's Snowies.

More recently, I've had the opportunity to eat at Journey Food & Wine Bar in Jindabyne. It's a newer, trendy looking place with really rich, modern, food, making it a stand out for a special meal in the area (our wedding anniversary was spent there this year).

Family and casual meals aren't hard either. The Sundance Bakery in Nugget's Crossing, Jindabyne, is my absolute favourite bakery in the world. I have a lifetime of memories spent here, and even if I am (maybe just a little) biased, their pies and quiches are the best I've ever tasted. Even better? There's a smaller Sundance Bakery in the Perisher Centre--my pick for the single best value place to feed anyone when skiing or boarding for the day.

Every time we visit the snowies, we eat at Mario's Mineshaft, situated just behind Nugget's Crossing in Jindabyne. Woodfired pizza, and an enormous open fire place, make Mario's a great family restaurant. The service is always friendly, and very fast, especially given how busy the place is.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Miss Snow It All wrote about eating at the snow, which got me thinking. There are so many great value places to eat out in the area, and so much to do, but like everything--sometimes you have to look around.

WildBrumby Schnapps Distillery, Cafe & Cellar Door

As far as I’m concerned, skiing is the most fun you can have standing up... or with your face buried in the snow. That one was a VERY spectacular fall. I don’t think I’ll ever be allowed to live it down.

But it's not just the skiing that keeps drawing us back to NSW’s spectacular Snowy Mountains. The area has a lure for hubby and me, and we can’t seem to stay away for too long. Not only do we have gorgeous countryside and fantastic snow (when it comes); but there are some of the loveliest and most charming restaurants you can imagine.

As I’ve previously mentioned (*ahem*, perhaps gushed), the area, its surrounds, and its places, hold a very special place in my heart, and we were lucky enough to be back down there this weekend just passed.

It was during this trip that we visited the Wild Brumby Distillery. I'd heard about it a couple of times, and our interest piqued enough to head out there, and we were well rewarded.

The property is a picturesque block of alpine farm land. Sheep were grazing along the driveway up to the café building, lazily moving out of the way car as we neared, and the yard was dotted with examples of local sculpture.

Greeted by the very friendly staff, the distillery café was warm and welcoming from the moment we entered. We were soon offered a complimentary schnapps tasting, and who can say "no" to free schnapps?

I (and every man and his dog) have tried butterscotch schnapps before, but theirs sure was special. All the flavour without any of the saccharine sweetness and cloying aftertaste. Some other favourites were the Pink Lady Apple, Sour Apple and Lemon, and my favourite: 'Devil's Tongue'. OK, so, I am not a big chilli person. Upon being told this was chilli Schnapps, I chickened out and said no. Hubby did try this (I may have pinched some...) and it was remarkable. Chilli combined with pink lady apple and cinnaman combine to make this truly unique.

Moving along to the shop, we were confronted with more schnapps than I've seen in my whole life. According to Wild Brumby's website. Bottles started at around $30 for a 18.5% 500ml bottle, going up from there for 40% bottles of schnapps like 'Obstler' (apple and pear). Their kosciuszko vodka 101 50.5% is also available.

We decided to stop for a quick meal and were treated to a cosy table right next to fireplace, and looking through the huge ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the property.

The café is smallish, seating around 25 from my count, giving it a friendly, warm, intimate atmosphere. It was never loud or crowded, even though busy, and the staff were tentative and helpful.

Being wintry weather we couldn't go past a hot chocolate, and not only that, a hot chocolate with schnapps! Tony's Estate coffee was also on offer, along with a range of incredibly pretty cakes and biscuits. I ordered an Hot Chocolate with Cowboy Butterscotch, and, what to do when you want both, talked Nick into getting his with Devil's Tongue. We decided to split a bowl of Potato Wedges with Mustard Aoli.

Our impressive (and HUGE) hot chocolates arrived first, and after oohing, aahing, and photo taking, they didn't last that long. The chocolate/butterscotch and chocolate/chilli combination is a winner. A short wait later our wedges arrived, and pretty they were. The Mustard Aoli, was, in short, awesome. During our meal we saw the Beef Ragu brought out to a neighbouring table and could have stayed for a not-so-light meal!

With our meal over (at a very reasonable price) we were back off to Sydney, leaving the distillery behind, and I tell you what, I can't wait to get back!

Getting There:

Phone: (02) 6457 1447

Thredbo Valley Distillery
Cnr of Wollondibby Rd & the Alpine Way, Jindabyne NSW 2627, Australia

www.wildbrumby.com
You can also take a 360 degree virtual tour of the property here.

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Parklea Markets

Trips to Parklea Markets for our weekly fruit and veg used to be the norm in our household, but busy schedules and hubby's shift work has made this weekly ritual (as well as just basic grocery shopping) a bit erratic.

This weekend, having the time off together was lovely, and a trip to Parklea Markets was a nice treat, too. A quick trip for fresh veg ended up becoming a few hours very fast!

First treat of the day was corn on the cob. Fresh and sweet corn, brushed with butter and sprinkled with salt. It was THE juiciest corn I've ever tasted and at $3 was a pretty awesome breakfast!

We picked up a (big) parsley plant and a potted strawberry for $3 a piece to replace some recent fatalities in our garden, and the parsley quickly found its way into my chicken stock on arrival home.

I would say Saturday morning is the best time to to pick up your fruit and veg from the market, as you're getting the first pick, but we got there in the afternoon to a great choice. There are 3 large fruit and veg places right next to each other. If the apples in one look a little sorry, just move on to the next. Together, they have a great choice available, but we often end up in the last one along, which is the largest.

10 Poffertjes - $6

With our groceries out of the way, and at a saving of $20, we had a wander round, and came to the Dutch Poffertjes House. I'd first encountered these coin sized Dutch pancakes last year at the Aroma Festival in the rocks, and they didn't last long!

We sat down and shared 10 of them, with a milkshake each, and it was a lovely sweet end to the day!

I can tell you it's going to become a regular trip now, after our weekly fruit and veg bill dropped from $30-$40 to a staggering $17. I can't recommend market shopping enough: it was a great day out for both of us, and the saving on the hip pocket was lovely.

Parklea Markets are Open 8:30am to 4:30pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday Mondays. The earlier in the morning the better, and quieter. Just be prepared for big crowds and lots of prams. Remember to wear comfy shoes!

Contact

601 Sunnyholt Rd, Parklea, NSW (Australia)

http://www.parkleamarkets.com.au/

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Crackenback Cottage

"There being no place, like this place, near this place, this must be the place!"

My husband, Nick, and I have an absolute love affair with the picturesque Crackeback Cottage. Nestled below Mount Crackeback in Australia's beautiful alpine region the cottage and its warm fire, delicious food, and friendly staff and owners make the place magic.

The original cottage is one of the oldest in the region, and has been standing since 1884's by the McEvoy family, one of the earliest families to settle in the area.

We've enjoyed many (many MANY!) delicious scones with (home made) blackberry jam and cream warmed by the fireplace in the beautiful dining room, and run around the huge wooden maze laughing till we're dizzy and stupid on many an occassion!

I have to say that the food at Crackenback cottage is beautiful, and would meet the exectation of any city-dwelling diner, with SMH saying: "Crackenback Cottage is a fine example of how inner city culinary expectations can be adapted to lift and enhance country life."

On our most recent (of many) visits to the snowy region, and our very favourite restaurant, we had a quick meal. We thoroughly enjoyed a serve of 'potato skins' (home made and much thinner cut wedges of kiphler potato) with chilli chutney and apple aoli. Nick had a lunch of home made lamb pie, with lamb so tender it was falling apart, accompanied by a delicious potato mash, as good as you'll get anywhere. I was in for a real treat when my risotto with Goat's milk curd and olive tapenade came out.

I honestly can't recommend the cottage enough. There are so many things to do and are in this beautiful part of the country, but Crackenback is an absolute must for any foodie-type.

We have never had to make a booking to be seated for lunch, though they are often busy, but if you would like a table for dinner, or are visiting anytime between mid-May to October (during ski-season), make sure you call ahead.

Contact

For bookings call: + 61 (0)2 6456 2601
Address: Alpine Way, Thredbo Valley, NSW 2627 Australia

http://www.crackenback.com.au/

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