Bellarine Peninsula Restaurant named regional Victoria’s best

THE Bellarine Peninsula’s Jack Rabbit Restaurant has taken home the top gong at this year’s Golden Plate Awards for its culinary excellence.

It joins an additional two awards in the popular vineyard’s trophy case, after the restaurant also cleaned up in both the customer service and contemporary dining award categories.

The awards, which were held last week, recognise the best of regional Victoria’s hospitality scene. Nominated restaurants are judged twice, without notice, over the course of several months by independent and experienced food reviewers before earning their crowns.

This year’s judging panel commended Jack Rabbit’s team on its “consistently flawless” attention to detail in presentation.

“Every dish is a visual masterpiece, capturing your attention immediately.

“Each plate delivers a ‘wow’ moment that not only excites the eyes, but also sets the stage for a memorable dining experience.”

The restaurant and its staff were also praised for their ability to “always exceed expectations” to create a dining experience that is both “memorable and enjoyable”.

“Their continued commitment to excellence in service and attention to detail ensures each occasion is truly special, leaving a lasting positive impression.”

For the second consecutive year, The Q Train also impressed at the Golden Plate Awards, once again winning the title of best local drinks list. The judges awarded the moving restaurant “top marks” for its “great array of varietals” and the skill required to produce such a comprehensive list of local drops. “They have looked statewide to find the best, most suitable drinks for the list,” the judges said.

“Well done to the team…it may be one of the most local lists in the region. Let’s remember it’s easy to produce a great list with some cash to back you up. Go ahead and buy a huge array of wines from top producers and job done.

“It requires much more attention and skill to produce a smaller, thoughtful list, especially as local as they’ve gone.”

The Q Train was also highly commended in the Best Menu of Local Food award category.