Salix At Willow Creek

Ph: 5989 7640; Vineyard Restaurant, 166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North 3926 www.willow-creek.com.au

Modern Australian, $$ +
Open Lunch 7 days noon-4pm Dinner Fri-Sat 6pm-10.30pm, Closed Good Fri; Licensed, BYO; AE DC MC V EFT
Chef Bernard Mccarthy (7-11-07) Owner Bernard '& Rachael Mccarthy (7-11-07)

Mietta's Review
Overlooking uniform battalions of grapevines, Willow Creek's high tech charcoal grey decor and polished wood floor in a crescent dining room is a great place to draw breath after a hard morning of wine tasting. Chef, Sean Duggan's Modern Australian dishes are some of the best food available on the Peninsula. Good service and matching wines help make this a most desirable destination.

Other published opinions

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide "Lounging in an upholstered cane chair, staring out at the beautifully maintained Willow Creek vineyard, it's hard not to feel a sense of smug wellbeing. Salix hits just the right mood for a leisurely meal, combining a relaxed approach with touches of luxury and attention to detail"

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 14/20 "It doesn't matter what the weather's doing because the vista from Salix's dining room is always delightful. Every seat has a view of the vines that contribute to the production of Willow Creek wines, so it's only fitting to order a glass of their sparkling to start"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "Sunny or overcast, the vineyard view from Salix's airy dining room is always lovely. Likewise the wines, whether you order Willow Creek rose or choose a drop of the premium brand, Tulum"

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 14/20 "Salix's stone driveway, fringed with pine trees, chardonnay vines and agapanthus, provides a stately approach. Inside the modern restaurant, a glass window-wall gazes out on the vines, dam and hilly ranges."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 restaurant guide "Not surprisingly, Salix is a long-lunch and special-occasion dining destination - through a ceiling-to-floor window, every well-dressed table has unsurpassed postcard views over the vineyard to hills beyond. The famed high-quality food and service continues with the new owners"

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 15/20 One Hat "THE WILLOW CREEK wines have experienced a renaissance of late and, coupled with the accomplished cooking of chef Sean Duggan, Salix has become one of the best winery restaurant complexes on the peninsula."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "The glory of Salix is the view from the expansive picture windows to the vineyards in the valley below, and the hills beyond. With such a romantic setting, it tends to attract dreamyeyed couples, as well as small groups of tourists from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula's wine route, drawn by the special-occasion eating at Salix."

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'The peninsula has several great winery-restaurants,and this one is certainly up there.Chef Sean Duggan's substantial dishes prepared with flair will keep us coming back.'

The Age Good Food Guide Awards 2004-1 hat,score 15/20, restaurant attached to a winery

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004,'Salix cosies up beside WIllow Creek's celler door, its wicker armchairs and fine views over the vineyard tempting you in...first-rate service...the menu offers a tour around the globe...The wine list represents the house winey with a recommendation for each dish.'

The Age,1/7/2003, Epicure,Country Fare, Necia Weldon, Score: 14.5/20

The Weekend Age, Magazine, Oct 2002