Gather at Coriole
When the menu opens with a quick tour-in-words of what’s seasonal in the property’s garden, you expect that the plates will come to life with leaves, herbs, fruit and berries. That’s exactly what chef Tom Tilbury delivers.
Delicious 100
Don't miss out on the headlines from Delicious 100. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale
(08) 8323 8305
When the menu opens with a quick tour-in-words of what’s seasonal in the property’s garden, you expect that the plates will come to life with leaves, herbs, fruit and berries. That’s exactly what chef Tom Tilbury delivers at Gather in a gorgeous setting spread across verandahs and a courtyard near to the cellar door of McLaren Vale winery Coriole.
This is food that defines the art of grazing as Tom teams the house-grown produce with an exciting mix of local seafood and meats where desired. He is brave, but never experimental beyond sensibility, as he proudly embraces the garden, the season and its inherent flavours and colours.
There are narratives in play … the sourdough is superb to start, then you see the leftovers of the bread come back in the form of a cracker with chevre, citrus and fresh pink peppercorns, an entrée that sparkles on the plate.
The greenery is next-level — cavolo nero and coorong mullet together make for a big set of earth and sea flavours. Roast chicken with a mound of small braised beans and a rainbow chard sauce also says much about the plant-based foundation of much of Gather’s cooking. As well as making great flavour sense, it is nourishing for body and soul.
But there’s a time for decadence, too, during dessert — a chocolate, caramel, vanilla and pear combo is brilliant.
The wine list is driven by Coriole’s own list of McLaren-Vale-grown beauties and also includes a small set of internationals, to compare and contrast. The blackboarded chef’s menu and wine match has got to be one of the best value feed-me choices in the state.
All this is generously served with casual country smarts in an easy-going dining space surrounded by lawns, flower beds and vast Fleurieu views. This is SA dining at its accessible best. Life’s good.
- Hours: L Sun-Sat (in warmer months) Thurs-Mon in winter
- Bill: E $15-$19 M $28-$55 D$17-$18
- Wine: Wine list
- Chef: Tom Tilbury
