5 RCA-winning Venues to Put the Bloom into Valentine’s Day

It takes two to mango and to relish your time spent together! Are you tortellini in love with your partner? Then Valentine’s Day is the time to let them know they are one in a melon and your soymate.

Here are five Readers’ Choice Award-winning venues to put the bloom into your VD: 

For a stylish wining and dining experience, head to Atelier Wine Bar on Sunshine Beach Road in Noosa Heads. This chic Sunshine Coast bar resembles a contemporary European cellar with a curved, retro-fitted ceiling, open shelves of wine, crazy paving on the floor and subdued lighting setting the scene for romantic rendezvous and after-work catchups.

 

With more than 150 rare and premium wines on offer, all of which can be purchased as a half, full glass or bottle, there is a drop to tempt all palates, along with a concise menu of gourmet toasties, cheeseboards and enticing small plates ideal for sharing. 

Experience ‘gastronomie Française’ at Ché Bon on Cherry Street in Ballina, where French tradition meets Australian fusion. On balmy days sit alfresco at wooden tables with cheery orange chairs, while indoors, fairy lights and black-clothed tables set an elegant tone for evening fine dining from a menu of French favourites.

 

Say bon appetit to a date with your Valentine and savour Japanese-style beef tartare with miso, wasabi and sesame oil, paired with salad and bread; before plats principal such as wild barramundi, rice, creamy pumpkin and Caribbean dressing.

Set amongst a mix of eucalyptus and landscaped gardens, Sidewood Estate Cellar Door and Restaurant on River Road brings hand-crafted wine and food to the Adelaide Hills. The jet-black cladded exterior and gable-roofed Hahndorf venue features local stone flooring and warm caramel leather banquettes, along with an eclectic collection of Australian artwork.

 

Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day and treat your special someone to a romantic dining experience with a complimentary glass of estate sparkling for each couple, cocktail specials and dishes such as King prawns, citrus, red curry, kaffir lime and Thai basil.

Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate presents a unique and inviting dining experience on the edge of the Upper Hunter Valley. Located on the site of the historic Arrowfield Winery, this award-winning restaurant is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. With a distinct respect for the property’s long history, the timbers from the original nearby Bowman’s Crossing Bridge are a stunning feature of the restaurant and cellar door.

 

Unwind with your Valentine over a glass of estate wine and a mezze platter; then peruse a menu focused on fresh local produce, with tempters like salt and pepper squid, rocket, lemon, chilli and lime aioli, followed by pappardelle with lamb ragu, Parmesan and gremolata.

Expect to find each dish true to its origin and fused with a delicate balance of flavours at Zazu on Mollison Street in West End. This new Brisbane dining destination captivates the senses with a stunning interior design boasting a contemporary yet warm vibe of sleek lines, tasteful décor and a colour palette that exudes refinement.

 

Curated lighting creates an intimate and inviting setting, ideal for lingering over a cocktail and a four-course VD menu starting with wasabi prawns, or beef carpaccio; take romance to the next level with slow-braised lamb shank, sous vide mash and Szechuan port jus.