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Hwy’s new Native Creative Launch

I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of the Native Creative menu that the Highway Hotel was promoting for the next 2 weeks only.

Some great food bloggers joined me including representation from Glamm Adelaide, Adelaidian and Feed Me Adelaide.

I was asked to take some photos so the Hwy could use some for their social media and for a taste of this wonderful menu, I was more than happy to oblige!

When I saw the menu, my first reaction was “oh dear, it’s got 2 seafood dishes”….because I don’t eat seafood but I thought I’d be brave and taste them anyway. The highway is renowned for it’s great food, so it couldn’t be that bad!

Dish 1: Moreton Bay Bug Tails with Pickled Riberry, White Carrot and Karkalla

Review

For a non seafood eater, this was tasty!! Loved the texture and it didn’t taste fishy at all! The Karkalla added a nice flavour hit and the sauce was just devine! The white carrots were subtle but cooked to perfection and the Riberries added that nice tartness to balance out the sauce. Overall a score of 10/10 (for a seafood dish)

Dish 2: Seared paroo Kangaroo fillet with Muntries, Beetroot, Barilla Leaves and Puffed Grains.

Review

Again…as I am a boring eater, I haven’t been exposed to kangaroo a lot either and my first thought was… yum..meat..I’ll eat it!

The texture and flavour in that kangaroo was just devine. The chef has cooked it very nicely and there was no toughness in it at all. The smoky flavour hit the tongue like a warm hug and then the beetroot came along and put the cherry on top. It was beautiful and sweet and not tart at all and worked really well with the puffed grains and the slight saltiness of them. The muntries I had never tasted before but they were another nice flavour boost. Lot’s of unique flavours in the one dish! Score 9/10 – Simply because the raw onion was a bit much. Maybe 1 would have been enough.

Dish 3: 500g Thornby Lamb Rump with creamed warrigal greens, saltbush and potato crisp salad

Review

The lamb was cooked perfectly and had little fat. I understand that meat needs some fat to increase the flavour, but this was nice not having too much fat either and allowed your palate to focus on the meat itself more. The Jus was amazing and full of flavour, it was nice and full bodied and worked well with the asparagus. The potato crisps were little morsels of heaven and were nice and crunchy and not overcooked. Now…the saltbush! I could have eaten that all day! My first taste of saltbush ever and it was the most tastiest plant I have ever consumed. I am going to go down to Bunnings and grab myself a pot this week, just so I can grow some so I can eat it! Overall a lovely and well put together dish 10/10 – could not fault one single element in this dish

Dish 4: Robarra Baby Barramundi with native Ficinia Nodosa Bushes, Lemon Myrtle, Samphire and Native Thyme Butter

 

Review

Unfortunately there was not enough to go around on this dish, so I missed out, which was more than fine as not being a seafood eater, I was more than happy to sit this one out although would have loved to have tasted a potato! The dish itself looked amazing and was so colourful. Very good value for money too as the meat that was coming off the fish looked full and fat with nice white fillets being served. The potatoes and the Thyme butter smelt so good. 8 – 10 – only because I couldn’t taste it so can’t comment fully

Dish 5 – Rosella Sorbet with Poached Quandong, Wattle seed tuile and violet sugar

Review

I love desserts! I have to say…when I saw the sorbet on the menu I knew this was going to be my favourite dish of them all. I could literally live in a dessert cafe somewhere and so this just tempted my tastebuds to no degree! When the dish got served, the first thing I noticed was the colour. It didn’t look like a dish that would be served up in the colder months and reminded me of summer and spring and really looked rather beautiful in all it’s colourful glory. The sorbet was amazing! It was tart, fresh, flavoursome and sweet all at the same time and went off with a big bang! I have never tasted quandongs before and so was a bit hesitant to try them but after a few coaxing words from a friend, I ate one and it tasted to me like a tarty version of an apricot and was not unpleasant at all and rather nice. The wattle seed tuile was to die for and I could have eaten a whole box if given the chance. It was war,, it was wholesome and full of flavour and not gritty at all. Spot On! The violet sugar was another experience I have never had before either and although small was really yummy and wasn’t as sweet as normal sugar, which I thought was rather nice and worked well with the tart of the sorbet. A very nice end to the tasting and left my palate nice and fresh. Score: 10 /10

 

Overall the 5 dishes were very creative and beautiful and were almost works of art on the plate with the colours and textures displayed.

I can’t believe they are only going to be around for 2 weeks!

Make sure that you get in to taste these wonderful dishes.

If you need any of your food photographed then please CONTACT ME today to book in your date.