Simplicity is the soul of Muse Restaurant's little sister;a lovely Hunter hideaway on a bright green lawn that's all sweetness,sunlight and white on off-white. The level of service is as big a draw as the food,turning a simple lunch into a fabulous experience. While the crisp king prawns in buttery verjuice with cherry tomatoes hail from more distant parts,most vegetables,fruit and herbs come from up the road. And then there's a local Papanui egg,packaged inside rich mushroom and potato ravioli. Pan-fried garfish is prettified with garlic flowers,celeriac,pear and a scattering of pomegranate seeds and capers. Crisp-skinned confit duck leg - flaky meat and golden skin - is enhanced by a thyme-laced cassoulet. A coconut cloud topped with ribbons of ginger and lime-compressed pineapple tells you it doesn't get much better than this.

And … Go wine tasting afterwards at the Keith Tulloch cellar door.

THE LOW-DOWN
VibeA lovely buzz of bonhomie. 
Best bitPretending you're in Provence.
Worst bitNo weekday dinners.