4 Things to Look For When Picking a Restaurant

There’s are times when you can’t figure out which place to eat out at. That’s when you need some help to decide which would be the best place to choose. Instead of trying different ways of figuring out the right fit, it’s better to know what to look for and follow through.

Service Quality 

It’s always good to try and know about the service quality of the restaurant beforehand. You can always get an idea beforehand by checking out their online site or getting reviews from friends as well. Evaluating the service is not much of a hassle in the sense that if you see the restaurant performing well by bringing in customers, you can take a positive guess that they provide quality service. If, however, you find messy tables, stinky smells, spilled food or a filthy bathroom is a very bad sign. If the restaurant seems unclean in your sight, then it's not a proper place to dine at. 

The Menu Selection

It's best to know what sort of food you prefer when you're choosing a restaurant. Fine dining is always a good option. The menu selection is almost always exquisite and the ambiance greatly complements it. Also, since fine dining servers usually have experience and knowledge of the restaurant business, you can expect excellent service at a fine dining restaurant. Your choice of menu will also depend on who you're going with. If it's a romantic date then nothing beats fine dining. The lighting, the amount of noise and the interior design just creates the perfect environment.

The Location

A very important factor to consider when choosing a restaurant is the location. The ambiance should also be noteworthy. If the restaurant is close to your home, then that's a bonus but if you think that you could take some time off to go somewhere far for a good dine, then that's worth a shot as well. Also, wherever you are, it's good to turn to the locals to find out which place you could go to. If the restaurant is located in a beautiful countryside which has a lot of tourist attractions to visit as well, you're definitely lucky if you find a wonderful place to dine at.

Music

This can top off a lot of things. Imagine this. You're eating superb food and having a conversation with someone. Then you take a chance to look away at a band getting on stage for a musical performance. The sound's not too heavy but smooth and melodious accentuating your mood, which has settled throughout the period you've been there for. While they're playing, you're having delectable food, a great conversation and listening to music which replenishes the splendour of the soul. Now that puts the icing on the cake.

 

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Must-see Tourist Attractions in Canowindra

Canowindra has fantastic tourist attractions for those who want to move around and visit great places. Below's a few ones you could go check out.

 

Age Of Fishes Museum
 

Long before dinosaurs existed, rivers of the Central West were occupied with fish with armour shells, fish with lungs and giant predators. A lot of their fossils were found in Canowindra which gave a unique glimpse into the Devonian Period - the "Age of Fishes". The Museum has put together many of the fossils with live aquarium displays and great recreations of the Devonian Life. The museum also offers two permanent exhibitions, an education program, gift shops and a geological time-walk ending with a free barbecue.


Canowindra Historical Museum
 

The Museum portrays the development of Canowindra from the 1840s frontier township on Belbula River to its progress as a rural centre. You'll find vehicles of the horse drawn era, vintage farm implements and machinery that reflect the importance of what, wool and lucerne. The main building provides displays of household items, textiles, dental surgery and wedding gowns of local brides from 1886 onwards. School groups are welcome for bus tours after an appointment is made by teachers who may want to plan a visit which links with units of study.


The Melissa Barber Studio Gallery

Melissa Barber is an independent artist living in the Central West Town of Canowindra. She opened her first gallery in 1999 in Canowindra. Her paintings are in private collections throughout Australia, France, England, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, China and New Zealand. Melissa's work is deeply influenced by the Japanese and Chinese art since their style focuses on the use of negative space versus detail, flat color and strongly used colors of gold and silver. Studio visits can be arranged by appointment.


Canowindra Trading Post

Wandering through the two floors of the Canowindra Trading Post, you'll find an enjoyable ambience which is created by the mix of the old and the new. The Canowindra Trading Post is an antique store which features a wide variety of products including homewares, lamps, antique furniture, jewellery, garden features and more. After you've seen through to your content, you have the opportunity to settle down with a fantastic Lavazza Coffee and light refreshment, served in the garden.

Canowindra's the spot for a recreational visit with your family, friends or just yourself. After you've roamed quite a few places, there's nothing like ending the day with some fine dining. A considerable way to tour Canowindra would be to take a day for a quality three-course meal and day(s) after to visit the fabulous sights.

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What to Do When You're Stressed

People go for retreats all the time, to get out of the hassles of everyday life. There are multiple situations when you probably feel like taking a step back and going off somewhere, searching for some peace and quiet for yourself, where you'll get the opportunity to relax and reflect. Many visitors to our estate come for a similar break – the food, the wine and the nature washes the chaos and leaves you with tranquillity to reflect on your life.

Let’s discuss some of the most common causes of stress and what to do when the stress becomes unbearable.

Work related stress

This undoubtedly makes the top of the list. When your work is piling up on you and you are getting very little time for yourself, your friends or for your family, it's time to know that you need a break. Inform the authorities of a valid excuse and cut off to a place where you'll regain the feelings of experiencing the wonderful pleasures of life. Also, it's very important to make sure that wherever you go, your cell phone, beeper or any other devices are not getting in your way of taking some time off, otherwise the trip will get tainted with interruptions that you don't need.

Kids

We all love kids, but sometimes, you do need time alone with your partner and away from the noisy environment that the little ones create. Get someone reliable to watch over them, pack your bags, plan a trip to a great tourist attraction and head over for some quality time. When you're planning a trip somewhere, it's very important to make sure that the place is great. If you're moving to the countryside, it's very important that you pick a place where there's at least one great country restaurant. When you've got great food around you, the place automatically feels better.

Taking some time off before taking another degree

This one's for those who take further education very seriously. If you're planning to take another step towards expanding your horizon, then before you jump right into it, it's better to take some time off for yourself for a fresh start. Even if you're planning to head out with friends just to have a great time, make sure you have chosen a place where you can also experience the sights and sounds in peace should your mood ever swing that way. Picking a place where you'll be able to enjoy great music can enliven things for you.

There are definitely thousand more reasons and situations causing stress everyday. What is important is to remember is the magic combination – the country side, great food, great wine, and great music. After just a weekend of this soul treatment, you should be good to go back in again!

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Famous Quotes about Wine

There’s a reason wine is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in human history, and many notable people have said many thoughtful and humorous things about it. We think some of these quotes really capture what good wine is all about and why we love it!
 

1. Thomas Aquinas noted that “sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine". Aquinas was certainly on to something; if you’ve ever wine while taking a bath you’ll know that it’s just about the perfect way to wind down and relax. Although, we’d like to think it’s just as good, if not better, as an accompaniment to a good meal.

2. Others have used wine as the way to a woman’s heart. Frank Muir famously said that "strategy is buying a bottle of fine wine when you take a lady out for dinner; tactics is getting her to drink it".

3. Pope John XXIII used wine as an analogy for the aging of human beings, saying that “Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age”.

4. Another similar observation came from Joan Collins, who pointed out that “Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant unless of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine.

5. Louis Pasteur, a French chemist and microbiologist, was of the view that it had health benefits. Pasteur claimed that “Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages”. While this statement might not be completely accurate, he was barking up the right tree as there is evidence to suggest that when enjoyed in moderation it can be beneficial to the body.

As shown, everyone enjoys wine in a slightly different way and associates it with different things. At Taste Canowindra, you can enjoy it along with the music, art and food we have on offer. For us, Kathy Mattea, an American country music singer form the US (and someone we’d love to have perform at Taste) said it best when she pointed out that  “A gourmet meal without a glass of wine just seems tragic to me somehow”.

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How a country escape can help recharge the soul

With so many people working longer hours as well as feeling the stresses of everyday life in the big cities, more people are choosing to take vacations and short getaways in the country to take in a little bit of fresh air. This part of the world has some breath taking scenery to look forward to, so why not take what many people call a staycation and enjoy some parts of the country that may surprise you with its natural beauty.

For those with a liking for the great outdoors, New South Wales has some of the most iconic locations to recharge your batteries with national parks, nature walks, rock climbing and a whole host of other activities for those who relax by keeping active. The NSW country side offers a whole host of surprises around each corner including music festivals and country fairs.

Idyllic townships and country life

For those looking to truly unwind in the country and get some much needed rest and relaxation, Canowindra has to be one of the top destinations for both a relaxing and entertaining vacation. This beautiful little township located in the central west of NSW offers a slice of small town life with its many traditional era buildings and roads.

Known internationally for its impressive hot air balloon festival, this remarkable event takes place every year to give the area its nickname as the “balloon capital of Australia”. With many different events to coincide with this famous festival, why not treat yourself and a loved one to a magical balloon ride, with a luxury dinner date later in the evening.

Get a taste for fine dining

Canowindra is well known for its links to local vineyards, wineries, gourmet restaurants and art exhibitions, making this idyllic town a hub for cultural and heritage fans. Featuring many boutique hotels and rooms to rent, Canowindra offers a chance to take the perfect getaway from any part of the country to enjoy the finer things in life.

Taste Canowindra is one of the more popular hubs of entertainment, fine dining and art featuring an accomplished and award-winning chef, a superb collection of locally produced wines and one of the best music scenes in the region. Why not take a trip to visit one of the local vineyards like Rosnay where you will find their latest seasons Reds and Whites that will leave your taste buds tickling for a bit to eat. You can taste Rosnay and all the other local labels at taste Canowindra.

An extended stay is a must for this region and with so many different things to do such as enjoy the growing music scene in the area as well as shop in some of the townships boutique artisanal shops it may be hard to leave. Canowindra is one of those places that stays long in your memories and lives long in your heart well after you get back to everyday life.

Delve into the Rich History of One of Australia’s Finest Wine Regions

Australian wine production has grown into a booming industry from its early beginnings in the early 1820s to become the world’s fourth largest exporter. Being host to over 60 different wine regions, the few that have stood the test of time have gone on to become world famous for their range of high quality boutique vintages.

With recent findings suggesting that wine has long been a great source of vitality, and the sourcing of fine wines becoming simpler than ever, let us take a look at some of the finest wines Australia has to offer.

Hunter valley, NSW was one of the country’s first wine regions, as well as considered to be one of the finest. Starting in the early 19th century, the region is known for its Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. With over 180 years of wine producing vineyards, Hunter Valley offers modern, sophisticated wine producing techniques from some of the world’s most renowned grapes. Producing roughly 2% of the country’s wine exports, but that small percentage makes up in award winning, varieties, styles and vintages.

The Cowra wine region is another specialist wine region that offers perfect conditions to grow the finest of wines. Located in the beautiful Lachlan Valley of NSW, the region is home to over 40 vineyards which include large wine producers and boutique tasting experiences that can compete with anywhere in the world. Falls Vineyard is one particular wine producer that produces limited quantities of high quality, award-winning wines including Chardonnay, Shiraz, Semillon, Merlot and the finest Cabernet Sauvignon.

Some of the finer Falls Wine stock includes the famous Squatter’s Ghost Shiraz ’09 which is rich in colour, produces a dense red berry palate and blends an exquisitely complex bouquet of bramble fruit with tones of earth and eucalypt. The Sparkling Brut Reserve is a prestige win that is produced from a decadent blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to bring a fresh palate of delicate fruit flavours. Combining intensity and finesse, this Sparkling Brut Reserve makes for a fresh cleansing tone to accompany a special meal.

One of the many modern and sophisticated wine growing techniques employed in this wine region include Rosnay wine’s certified biodynamic farm and vineyard. This sustainable biodynamic farm offers a chance to enjoy the fruit of natural labour through its award winning Rosnay wines.

One of the most popular and celebrated Rosnay wines has to be the Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 which received the gold medal at the prestigious Cowra National Wine Show in 2012. With elegance and finesse in taste, this Cabernet Sauvignon is lightly filtered and contains no animal proteins to preserve complexity and aid flavour.

The finest wines of Australia, like all fine vintages not only have the benefits of great taste and luxury appeal, but gives us the added advantage of being good for you. In moderate amounts, studies have shown that a regular, yet small intake of wine can promote longevity of life, help reduce the risks associated with stroke as well as helping to slow brain decline.

The differences in types of wine also show different benefits, with red wine being good for the heart with its tannins which contain procyanidins, whilst white wines provide an excellent source of certain nutrients that are good for the pulmonary system.

With more and more studies coming forward that promote the moderate consumption of wine for their health benefits, why not opt for some of the finer wines that Australia has to offer. With a large range of traditional wines to choose from around the Cowra region as well as more diverse biodynamic vineyard wines, Canowindra offers even the finest wine connoisseurs something to look forward to toasting.