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Modern Australian$$$$
Inspiration has struck twice for Alexandra Morphett;first by renovating this heritage-listed pub (built in 1902),and then by installing Daniel Hunt in the kitchen. Enter through etched-glass doors and pass through a clubby bar to a light,bright dining room where the food is pleasantly contemporary,from wood-fired pizza at lunch to a full Mod-Med-Asian menu. Colourful baby heirloom vegetables team with cubes of deep-fried organic white polenta and pools of bright green chive aioli;spicy,crunchy,soft-shell baby mud crab is pepped up with julienned cucumber in fragrant nam jim dressing. Whole filleted flounder is simply presented with wilted Asian mushrooms and baby bok choy,while honey-glazed duck leg is nicely paired with the breast,crusted in pistachio crumble. Marmalade and sweet potato puree adds another dimension. The high point is chocolate mousse,piped onto a crisp chocolate sable and surrounded by a swirl of lush chocolate ganache,its richness balanced by a perfectly poached pear.