There was just half a point between’s Orange’s finest restaurant and a rare achievement this week.
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Lolli Redini joined Tonic in Millthorpe in again being awarded one hat in the National Good Food Guide’s annual awards.
It is the 16th annual award for Lolli and the 12th for Tonic as both continue to provide top quality food, wine, service and ambience.
This year though, Lolli Redini, was only half of a point away from being awarded two hat status.
But, as chef and owner Simonn Hawke says, the two hats level does come with its risks.
“We got 15 and a half points, just half a point off two hats,” she said.
“I’d like to get two hats just once in my career.
“But if you have two hats there is the risk of maintaining it, you might go down to one hat.
“There is a lot of stress on the two and three hat restaurants.”
The restaurant also won a wine glass rating for the quality of the wine list prepared by Leah Morphett.
It boasts 150 wines from overseas, interstate and Orange.
Ms Hawke said that while there was stiff competition from big city restaurants for the awards Lolli Redini benefited from being in Orange.
“We’re really lucky to be in a region that has such fantastic produce.”
She said there were a lot of new producers offering unique products.
“We get first dibs on some of those things that the city guys don’t.”
Lolli Redini is now open for Sunday brunches, extending its service to a full seven days.
Ms Hawke said the restaurant had 15 staff.
“There is always room for one fine dining restaurant in a town.
“This is for the special occasion or when business bring their clients for dinner.
“It is not stiff, our staff make everyone feel comfortable.”
Tonic owner Tony Worland said it was the first year the awards were national.
“It is getting harder to get a hat,” he said.
“Everybody is expecting more.
“A lot of people are going down more of a casual line as well as keeping that higher standard.”
He said people were seeking more relaxed dining experiences.
Mr Worland said they were responding, “by making [dining] more accessible and more appealing to the general community.”
He said they had two Korean and one Indonesian people on staff who were adding extra elements to the menu.
“They’re bringing their two bob’s worth to the table.
“They bring a lot of different ideas and ingredients,” Mr Worland said.
About 850 people attended the Sydney award ceremony.
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
