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My last overnight trip out of Canberra was in June this year and during my stay in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, my friends Sharon, David and I went to lunch at a local winery.

Centennial Vineyards was a very short drive from our hotel and Sharon had made a reservation so we left with enough time to enjoy the lovely grounds leading up to the winery. The restaurant serves local produce which is great for the community.

When we arrived we saw a helicopter on the grounds with the pilot standing outside so all throughout lunch we played a game of ‘who in the restaurant owns the helicopter’. We all guessed different people for different reasons…but in the end we were all wrong, it didn’t belong to any of the diners but the owner of the winery. So much for our detective skills!

The restaurant’s atmosphere was pretty average I must say; a bit vacant and with very little character, but the food was very good so that made up for the absence of ambience.

The menu was brought after a short wait and there was a good selection of meals each of us could order.

Unfortunately none of the wine was vegan so Sharon and David enjoyed a couple of glasses but I stuck to sparkling mineral water.

David ordered a soup for entree which arrived in a glass all frothy with a feta and caramelised onion bruschetta. Such nice presentation!

For our meals, Sharon and I ordered the pear and candied walnut salad with a pomegranate dressing to share and for our main courses David ordered the dukkah crusted barramundi with vegetable pearl cous cous and harissa whilst Sharon ordered a parmesan and sage crumbed pork cutlet with apple and fennel slaw accompanied by a bacon and pumpkin relish. I ordered the lentil and vegetable shepherds pot pie with greens and thick cut chips. All meals were very good and enjoyed by the three of us.

After I finished my lunch I took a stroll out the back of the restaurant to take a few photos. I could imagine sitting out in the courtyard in nicer weather enjoying time with friends.

After this we decided to visit the little shop selling wine and a range of chocolates and condiments but none of us bought anything on this occasion.

It was then time to visit David’s home so we departed after a lovely afternoon.