GOLDEN TICKET: Muse Restaurant & Cafe, Polkolbin (Hunter Valley)

Just under 2 hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is a gold mine for fine dining. When you hit it, you hit it big. That's exactly how I felt about Muse - which only opened in 2009, run by a husband and wife duo and their fresh and young staff.

I avoided catalogue and hotel recommendations and blindly stumbled across this restaurant by pure luck. Having no prior knowledge of it, I initially thought the restaurant was run by a hospitality school as each staff member was strategically placed - concierge at the front, waiters and waitresses efficiently handling their tables, sommelier on stand-by and a very clean and tidy open-kitchen in patrons' sight.

While waiting for our table to be prepared, we were relocated to a lounge with a welcoming fireplace and large wooden beams running across the ceiling. Decor-wise, it looked and felt a bit like a ski lodge lounge, but I'm not complaining, as it was nice to be out of the chilly night air. The theme was somewhat inconsistent as their bathrooms resembled a Mexican family restaurant with its dessert red wash walls and random terracotta fittings.

The wait wasn't too long before we were guided to our table. Moments after being seated and having our order taken, we were served an amuse-bouche (on the house) and an on-going bread service with the choice of warm rosemary or pumpkin flavoured rolls.

Entree:

Pan Seared Sea Scallops (with marchetti pancetta, sage and potato cream, white anchovy, almond oil)

Duck and Spinach ravioli (with black fig, foie gras mousse, shiso, walnut, pedro ximenez)

Main course:

Dry Spiced Mandagery Creek Venison 'Sous Vide' (with pumpkin puree, ashed goats cheese, beetroot, green beans)

Dessert:

Honey Nitro Ice Cream

Souffle

A complimentary palate cleanser of watermelon sorbet was slipped in between the entree and mains. Nice touch.

Being a light drinker and having downed two glasses of wine, I cannot remember exactly what the desserts composed of specifically but I do remember that it was good - especially the nitro ice cream. On that note, the wine-list (although lengthy), was nothing special and most names could easily be picked up from your local bottle shop.

My judgement: Great service, good quality food with attention to detail.
The bill came in at around $100 per person. I will most definatley want try out their lunch menu on my next trip to the Hunter.