One of Australia's most highly awarded restaurants - the Lake House Restaurant sits amongst six acres of manicured waterfront gardens on the shores of Lake Daylesford.
As well as the restaurant, the property now includes a small boutique hotel of 33 rooms and suites, and the indulgent Salus Day Spa.
In 1984, at a time when regional Australia was anything but a considered destination for good food, Alla Wolf-Tasker had the remarkable foresight to establish a regional restaurant, with aspirations for fine dining and a sense of place.
With the clearing of a scenic, blackberry-infested paddock near Lake Daylesford and commencing the daunting long term process of encouraging local farmers to supply specialty produce, Alla's vision began to materialise. In no time word spread and 'foodies' began to seek out the "house on the lake". Reviewers heaped praise, awards were won - and in the process Alla succeeded in putting Daylesford on the culinary travellers' map.
As Lake Executive Chef and Managing Director, Alla sets an exacting benchmark in restaurant and hospitality standards for others in the district - and elsewhere. With stunning cuisine, some of the world's finest wines to grace a menu, a romantic, relaxed ambience and personable, attentive service, Lake House is - quite simply -the best.
After more than two decades of unstinting dedication to quality, Alla was deservedly recognised with the Award for Professional Excellence from The Age Good Food Guide and named a Living Legend by the Melbourne Food and wine Festival. In January 2007 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the tourism and hospitality industry.
Alla describes the cuisine of Lake House as having strong roots in classic French technique. She enjoys the access to the flavours of contemporary global cuisine now available to chefs. But she remains committed to the use of seasonal local produce - "in the interests of knowing where the food comes from - of accessing the freshest possible ingredients and in retaining a larger portion of end price for local suppliers and the community".
Working under her guidance, a dedicated young team produces cutting edge, Australian cuisine and the Menus reflect the strong commitment to seasonal produce supplied by a trusted network of local growers and producers, many operating along organic or bio-dynamic principles.
The Lake House kitchen works from the ground up, making its own breads,pastries, charcuterie, chocolates and preserves.
Depending on the time of year, produce delivered to the Lake House kitchens might include chestnuts, wild mushrooms, morello cherries, wild berries, rabbit, venison, duck, free-range pork, chickens and eggs, eels, trout, yabbies, lamb and beef. Special multi-course "Tasting Menus" offer diners the opportunity to sample a variety of seasonal specialties.
As well as excellent regional wines, the Lake House wine list includes selected vintages and grand marques from around the world. For both its depth and range of appeal, it has for seven consecutive years won the New York Wine Spectator "Best of Award for Excellence" for one of the "world's most notable wine lists".
An opportunity to sample a few of these magnificent wines is offered with one of the Lake House sommeliers in the beautiful Lake House Cellar Room. The cellar also offers the opportunity for private candle-lit dinners for up to 14 people. Seated at the splendid hand-adzed American oak table, guests are served individually selected and designed dishes with perfectly matched wines.
For a heavenly wedding venue, brides-to-be need search no further. What could be more romantic than a lake-side ceremony, followed by celebratory champagne on the terraces as the sun sets over the lake. After a reception where every detail has received fastidious attention, your guests will depart feeling they have attended a truly wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime event.
At the Regional Producers' Day hosted by Lake House each February, the district's growers and small producers present their wares for sale, attracting locals and visitors for a chat and a try before they buy.
Throughout the year, Lake House also offers a program of cooking classes with Alla Wolf-Tasker and visiting chefs in its demonstration kitchen, as well as many food and wine events. The website www.lakehouse.com.au is regularly updated with information and you can also put yourself on their emailing list.
The story of Lake House is beautifully told in Alla Wolf-Tasker's book Lake House - A Culinary Journey in Country Australia published by Hardie Grant. The book includes magnificent photography and over a hundred recipes from the Lake House repertoire and is available from Lake House and booksellers nationally.
The path to Lake House is now well trodden by 'foodies' from all around the globe and the hotel regularly plays host to many well-known faces. It continues to delight its many long term guests, as well as offering interesting interesting innovative food and indulgent stays and spa experiences to a newer audience.
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- Address
- King Street, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia, 3460
- Telephone
- 5348 3329
- Fax
- 5348 3995
- Website
- Click Here
- Opening Hours
- Breakfast 8-10.30am daily, Lunch 12.30pm-2.30pm daily; dinner from 7pm daily. Reservations Essential.
- Town
- Daylesford
- Contact
- Alla Wolf-Tasker
- Manufactured Produce
- Yes
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