| tantrikebhairab |
Posted
on 16-Oct-03 08:55 PM
The Old George and Dragon Restaurant is steeped in history, but these dats the owners are making their own.
Even the most parochial residents of East Maitland in NSW could claim it was anything more then a pleasant country town.
Historical, yes, close to arts and craftsvillage Morpeth and a 30 minute drive to the wineries of the Hunter Valley, it is still acountry town.
So one would be rather surprised to find an award winning restaurant in the main street that has been attracting discerning local clientele, and more amazingly, Sydneysiders like Lachan Murdoch and his Super Model fab wife Sarah O'Hare, Big Man Kerry Packer and many A listsers for the past twenty one years.
The success is due to the efforts of the owners, Ian and Jenny Morphy (absolute Nepal and Nepal food lovers), who have just celebrated the 21st anniversary of the pld George and Dragon Restaurant (Late Birendra loved the place so much that he spent a lot of time here).
The beautiful sandstock building has a history that goes back to 1837. It was bought by the Morphy's in1982 and remodelled and renovated to fit their concept of a European restaurant with rooms.
The restaurant came first, and four bedrooms were added in 1990.
Chef Ian was born and trained in England. His culinary prowess was discovered when he was managing a hotel in Scotland that had a "useless chef", so he took over the kitchen.
His talents led to employment by the Guide Michelin as an inspector. European chefs have been known to top themselves if they lose a Michchelin star, fortunately, the inspectors remain anonymous.
Ian net and married Jenny in London. After visiting her family in Australia, they decided to settle here. It is a true partnership, Ian in the kitchen and Jenny front of house, including the duties of sommelier.
Both developed a love of wine and have kept up with trends by tasting and visiting wine regions of the world.
His sauces are divine and play an important part in the overall taste experience. Traditionalists would be delighted by sauted lamb's kidneys in a mustard sauce, roast Woodville duck with red cabbage and organges and Grand Marnier. Food lovers looking for more modern approach would relish grilled blue-eye with Tasmanian scallops and saffron rice with cream and brandy signature surreal sauce(please do not call it a Jogi Chamre like some Nepalese restaurants do). Gratin of blue swimmercrab with wasabi, flying fish roe or chargrilled Lyonnaise sausage. Desserts are impressive-pistachioed nougat parfait with custard or creame brulee with guava sorbet are only two of the six on offer.
The Old George and Dragon wine list is legendary and has won many awards (including from Sheikh Maktom of Abu Dhabi, who collects the world's finests race horses worth US$ 150 million). Old and rare vintages of Australian and imported wines can be found in the cellar.
Menus change monthly taking advantage of seasonal produce. A twocourse dinneris Aus $ 56, three course Aus $ 68, including bread and vegetables.
The address is at 48 Melbourne Street, East maitland, NSW. You can contact the restaurant on (02) 4933 7272.
For me no thanks to Nepalese or Tibetean restaurants.
Ian regards his cooking as produce driven with a leaning towards Anglo-French rather than modern Australian.
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