Farmers Arms Hotel

Ph: 5348 2091; 1 East St, DAYLESFORD 3460 www.farmersarms.com.au

Modern Mediterranean, $$
Open Mon-Fri 6-9pm Sat-Sun noon-3pm 6-9pm; Licensed; MC V EFT
Chef Michael De Jong (5-12-08) Owner Simon Bevanda & Vanessa Kalamistrakis (5-12-08)

Mietta's Review
It's a local's country pub complete with the darts scoreboard and photos of local footy team on one side and a bistro with an elegant country feel on the other. The service is great, friendly and down to earth, the whole experience was relaxed and as soothing as a mineral spa. The food is excellent, pub style minus the pretension. Tucked away from the main drag it's worth seeking out.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 14.5/20 "An old-school, wood-panelled beauty of a pub, the Farmers Arms sits -literally and metaphorically - at the intersection where central Victoria's tough open plains meet delicate little Daylesford: the emphasis is on robust, masculine dishes, albeit delivered with the sort of deft touch that you might well expect from any number of the town's facialists and masseuses"

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide "This pub dining room, with wooden tables and wood panelling, is simple, warm and welcoming. Likewise the menu. Pickled cherries and a herb salad cut the richness of duck terrine, and fragrant lamb and almond dolmades on skordalia are bejewelled with pomegranate seeds"

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 15/20, One Hat "The Farmers Arms looks and feels like a friendly old Aussie country pub, where farmers still bend their elbows to quench a well-earned thirst at the front bar and townsfolk put their hands up for the weekly footy-tipping competition"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "In a town renowned for its outstanding food and wine, this lively pub dining room attracts a local crowd as well as keen interest from weekend interlopers"

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 14/20 "The Farmers Arms is one-of those country pubs that's utterly unpretentious, warmly hospitable and amiably idiosyncratic. Locals prop for a cold one at the front bar, while in the spacious dining room affable host Frank Moylan advises diners on wine choices."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 restaurant guide "More than a century ago the region's farmers would bring their produce to the nearby market, then bend their elbows in the public bar ofthe red-brick Farmers Arms. Now the best local produce finds its way to the old pub's kitchen, and the focus is on serving good food and wine in the idiosyncratically furnished dining room"

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 14/20 "THIS rustic highway inn is one of the best foodie pubs in Victoria. Its culinary star hasn't dimmed a skerrick since chef Abbie Kitchin upped sticks to Castlemaine's Criterion Hotel (see page 217). Indeed, the ment from new chef Andrew Dennis (ex-Harveys) shines with originality."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 restaurant guide "Looks can be deceptive. Neither the ruddy complexion nor the retro interior ofthis old junction pub of colonial heritage prepare the casual wayfarer for its rather more recently established epicurean credentials."

Herald Sun Stephen Downes 17/7/04 score 16/20 "Comfort food? Yes. It's hearty, quite oily and locaused tucker. You'll also notice that the Farmers Arms' kitchen is prepared to chance its palate with a few unusual combinations. The wine list is fairly limited, but otherwise excellent, four table whites and seven reds available by glass."

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'One of those old grungy pubs that has been transformed new with posh wooden tables and smart service.They do the usual pub grub,but do it well and with plenty of twists. There's local Holgate brew on offer,so bring a hearty appetite.'

AGFG 2004, score 14/20, excellent bar

Herald Sun, Weekend,3/4/04,Bob Hart,'The place feels as real and honest and comfotable as can be...The food here is robust,honest and expert with a leaning to local produce.'

Vogue Entertaining & Travel March/ April 2003

The Age, Sunday life, Eat Streets, 21/4/02

The Herald Sun, 07.08.01, Michael Harden