Apple Bar - Bilpin

A little while back I posted about the stunning Mt Tomah Botanical Garden and suggested that if you were in the area you would, basically, be a fool if you didn't travel a further few kilometers to the wonderful Apple Bar - serving up some of the best food in the greater Blue Mountains area. (in fact it is my current pick - no-where else compares at the time of writing).

I've very much enjoyed lunch here on two occasions and had it not been for some of the better heeled clientele I would have greedily licked the plates. Punchy flavours are consistent across the menu and  the expertly cooked wood fired pizzas and grilled numbers are a highlight ( in an already very well lit bunch!). 

Both the menu and venue sport a relaxed yet elegant, modern-country style and the talented, established chef-owner seems to be cooking the kind of food I imagine he'd really like to eat and doing it very well. I think of it as really freakin' great home cooking.  A chef's home cooking perhaps.... It's simple but bloody good - using sublimely fresh and quality produce.

A definite crowd pleaser. Well a crowd that appreciates really good grub.   (a bit like this bloke below....yet another happy customer who very  much enjoyed his snags).

And who can pass up some cinnamon spiced churros with chocolate parfait style ice cream and dark caramel sauce to finish with??  We were really full but couldn't say no and wow - it hit the spot we didn't even know we had. 

All this damn fine nosh is supported by some great local ciders, beers and wine. In fact they have a full licence so even if you want to stop off for a drink on the way through you are welcome. But I warn you - you WILL want to eat something so you might as well pull up a table! 

The Apple Bar is situated in the heart of Apple growing country, hence the name, and they are proud to promote the local product  - and, might I reiterate, a fine selection of boozy apple cider.

APPLE BAR WEBSITE LINK

Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens

Not long after returning from Japan we took a quick trip to the Blue Mountains and visited a few places I'd been meaning to take a squiz at for years - including the Mt Tomah Botanical Gardens. Both the day and the garden were absolutely stunning and I had to smack myself for not having previously made the effort. It was so wonderful that it was actually one of the few things that made the transition back into Australian life just that little bit easier. It's important to be reminded of the special beauty of your own country sometimes. I know I have taken it for granted. It also helped that the mountains remind me a little of Kyoto's own surrounds.... and the Koi pond was a nice touch! 

If you find yourself in the Blue Mountains Region do take the drive out to the gardens - you won't regret it. Here's the website. 

And if you are looking for somewhere nearby for lunch - check out the Apple Bar  in the  neighbouring town of Bilpin - the best place to eat in the area in my opinion. (Post coming soon).  And  if you are on your way back to Sydney make sure you grab some freshly picked fruit and veg at the roadside farm-stalls along the way. 

eeeek - Time to go...