Welcome to Sandalford Caversham Estate

I cannot even begin to do justice to how delicious the food is here. We went for lunch on a Saturday a couple of weeks ago...word of warning...book for your lunch as they do book out. Hubby started with an entree which was chorizo & fetta etc. Serving was ample enough for a starter. We had both ordered one of the specials which was a seafood boullibaise in crayfish and tomato broth. We also ordered some fresh bread and some chips with aioli in case the broth wasn't enough...well it was more than enough so we had to let most of the chips and bread go to waste. We couldn't finish all the broth off, huge serves! Couldn't even attempt dessert and had to sit there for at least an hour before we waddled away!

Very attentive. We had a lovely English waitress and she was conscious enough to check back every now and then without being intrusive.

I love lunch in a winery. Ambience was really pleasant.

Do yourself a favour and revisit this gem! Truly worth it.

Have just returned from a pleasant lunch at Sandalford Winery.

The restaurant situated within one of Australia’s oldest wineries would do well as a stand alone establishment and does not rely on the captive clientele that the cellar door ensures, indeed to this reviewer the food was of a higher overall standard than the wines on offer for tasting but that is another story and I do not propose to enter into a discussion on wines here.

We had made a booking and were seated at a comfortable table inside which given the heat was a good thing. Hardier souls could choose to sit outdoors under old vines cooled by a water mist spray.

The table was well set with good quality crockery, cutlery and glasswear. It was pleasing to note linen napkins were also provided.

The menu is well balanced and reasonably priced.

My wife chose the Quail breast; Beurre Boc Pear and Gorgonzola Salad and being a tiny person with a matching appetite found the Entree size more than adequate for a meal. The dish consisted of three boned and grilled Quail breasts on a fresh crisp salad of Rocket, slices of Boc Pear and finely shaved Gorgonzola. The flavours and textures worked well together although the cheese tended to overpower the delicate quail flavours if the portion taken each mouthful was not carefully watched.

I was tempted to try the Crayfish, Scallop Polenta with Broadbean, Tomato and Truffle oil but as I seem to be losing a battle with my waistline I opted to just have a main course.

I selected the Beer battered Perch with Sweet potato chips and was well satisfied with my selection. The fish was moist and the batter remained crisp throughout the meal. A generous serving of delicious soft sweet chips provided an ideal accompaniment. A small bowl of mayo and another of a sweet vinegar added delightful highlights to the mouth appeal.

Both meals were attractively presented.

We enjoyed a serving of fresh baked Baguette with the meal. The bread was light crisp and in generous quantity.

Having been disappointed with the wines available in the tasting room next door we chose instead a glass of the Premium Chardonnay. This was a beautifully crafted wine with a long lingering palate of creamy peach characteristics, well integrated oak flavours and a crisp cleansing acidity. All components were in harmonious balance and it proved a perfect wine to accompany our meals. Service was quick and attentive without being intrusive.

Our only criticism with the meal was the coffee. It was a pity to spoil a fine dining experience with an inferior brand and quality of coffee. As the cup of coffee is the last memory from any restaurant I am constantly surprised at the lack of attention restaurants give to this area.

As a final thought, as this is a restaurant whose purpose is to provide a showcase for Sandalford wines, I think it would be a good idea to provide a suggested wine from their range that they consider to be the best for each dish. I am sure that it would help educate the palates of their clientele and perhaps assist in encouraging people to try wines from some of the higher quality range than is available for general tasting.

A visit to Sandalford restaurant is a pleasing experience and worth considering on your next visit to the Swan Valley.

On the spur of the moment, decided to pick up my November prize and took a drive to Sandalford's for lunch. No problem with a table but as we were just before opening hours, we did a bit of wine tasting to while away the minutes. A couple of nice cellaring drops were to be found there more so than drink now quaffs. Having got my freebies as well a cellar bottle, we made our way to the restaurant and were provide with a lovely little table inside, right by an open door. Thoroughfare traffic was not an issue due to a console placed behind our table. Sandalford's was very busy on Saturday with a wedding reception and Christmas function taking place, in addition to usual tourist and local dining. The staff were all very friendly and were put to their paces, with some just seeming to go the extra distance.

We started with a pair of very fresh rock oysters before moving on to our entrees. I opted for the Salt & Pepper Calamari with Apples, Persian Fetta Salad, with my guest taking the Serrano Ham with Poached Pears, Quince Paste, and Quickes Cheddar. These are two standout entrees, with the calamari available as main as well. The salad that accompanied the calamari was divine and should be served on its own. The flavours probably detracted from the delicacy of the calamari which was flavoursome in its own right and stayed ever so tender throughout the meal, irrespective of heat. The ham plate is really big enough as a share plate for two with a huge piece of cheese and lots of accompaning items. The flavours combined nicely on the palate.

Mains saw us at entree size again, with my guest opting for the calamari, and I went for the Mussels and Marron Saute in Saffron, Chilli Broth with Fennel and Pea Risotto. This was the only disappointing part of the entire meal, although the side serve of garden salad was nothing special. The pea risotto had flakes of parmesan through it and was quite tasty. As I do not normally order risotto, I couldn't comment on whether it was of a good standard but I liked it, which is all that counts really! The marron and mussels however was pretty awful as I believe it was substantial overcooked. The marron was tough and had dried out a bit and the mussels had been cooked so long they had no substance and were decidedly lacey to look at. This might be alright if you have a huge plate, but the entree only has five mussels and half a marron with lots of veges. I also found the broth overly thin and overly chillied. The flavours didn't really get a chance as all you could taste was chilli. There was also no heartiness that you imagine when ordering chilii mussels.

To counter my main, I opted for a dessert which is very unusual for me! I chose the Baked Apples on Glazed Puff Pastry with Candied Cumquat And Saffron Ice-cream which arrives cold as per a mille feuille stack. A few more pieces of apple would not have gone amiss but this is a lovely dessert. The saffron icecream had a delicate piquancy as you would expect and in reality was a modern play on something your mum would have served warm in your youth.

With coffee and drinks and after an Entertainment Card discount, not to mention a couple of leisurely hours, we spent about $93. I have been to Sandalford many times over the years and have found the standard to be quite varied in service and in food, and of course subject to tourist buses, ambiance. We landed there on a very good day, the sort that makes you want to go back. And I probably will!

It was my dad's birthday last Sunday, and in order to celebrate I organised a family lunch at Sandalford Estate. We sat outside under the Vine Leaves which was lovely. It was a reasonably hot day so it was fortunate that they had the mist sprayers on!

We ordered some turkish bread and dips for entree and I ordered the chilli blue mud crab and yabbies for my main.

All the mains we're presented very well and everyone was more than delighted with the food. I was a bit messy with my crabs & marron mind you, the chilli tomato sauce contrasted well with all the white napkins!!

I must say my brother ordered the salmon and it looked delicious, as did the lamb.

The only real downfall (which didn't bother us too much as we were happy chatting away) was that the mains did take a while to arrive...the pain of waiting was however numbed by downing a number of bottles of the elements classic white, which was a lovely light crisp wine, perfect for a warm day!