Provenance Restaurant
Editorial
Within the grand and slightly austere surrounds of this former bank building, chef Michael Ryan produces dishes with quality and flair. Having sold the hatted Range restaurant he ran with partner Jeanette Henderson, Ryan turned his talents to nearby Beechworth. The food is modern but unpretentious in approach and employs the area’s high quality produce while embracing both European and Japanese influences. Star players include a simple starter of anchovy served with its fried bones and Ryan’s signature entree of butter-sauteed cauliflower with chickpea puree, mustard sabayon, polenta shortbread crumble and brown butter jelly. Other entrees might include braised wild rabbit with green peas and toasted orzo, chestnut flour tagliatelle with hazelnuts, sage, lemon, pecorino and dried orange or roasted heirloom carrots with chorizo, prawns and prawn bisque.
Main dishes present locally sourced meats such as dry-aged King Valley Murray Grey beef with dashi-braised eggplant and daikon, soy beans and konbu relish, venison with goat’s cheese fritters, roasted beetroot, hazelnuts and chutney or seared and braised Rutherglen lamb with treviso, lentils and quince mustard fruits. Desserts offer a simple, sweet finish and could feature lime cordial whip with coconut ice-cream, toasted coconut and lime cake or bitter mandarin souffle with white chocolate and rosewater sauce and toffee mandarin. First timers might like to opt for the degustation menu which offers six courses with or without matched wines, while vegetarians can also rejoice in a dedicated degustation menu as well as several a la carte options. Housed in the old vault, the wine cellar reflects Henderson’s winemaking experience and has a strong local focus as well as far ranging and interesting boutique wines and varietals sourced from Australia and overseas. The Provenance also offers boutique accommodation for anyone who wants to take full advantage of its extensive wine list.
User Feedback
Megan Marannu
July 16, 2010
I tried this place stopping by the town the other day and have to comment that it was great. The food is perfect.
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