The best new restaurants and bars to try in Orange, NSW
Most country towns have a standard Italian, Chinese and decent pub grub. Orange offers all that, and some added zest.
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Strolling along Summer Street in Orange it is easy to mistake La Milano for a private house. But it would be a mistake to miss it.
The former upmarket Zona restaurant has reopened as an Italian eatery whcih is proving as popular with the locals as visitors.
The two men behind the restaurant — Maninder Singh from Orange and Rubandeep Singh — are not Italian and have never been to Milan but they have a deep understanding of Italian food and wine.
Rubandeep learnt to cook Italian food in some of Sydney’s most recognisable restaurants, while Maninder worked at the Sydney Hilton.
They have put together a menu that hits all the popular notes.
Alongside the wood-fired pizza and homemade arancini are twists such as popcorn prawn: tempura prawns tossed in chilli aioli.
Veal marsala is a main course winner, and the scotch fillet does exactly what it says on the label.
Most large country towns can be relied on for an Italian restaurant, a Chinese joint and pubs serving a predictable mix of steaks, schnittys and parmas.
So Raku Izakaya, further down Orange’s Summer Street, is a pleasant and unexpected surprise.
This modern Japanese restaurant has a familiar, long and narrow Japanese layout with tables hugging one wall but its menu is classic with a twist.
There is a good selection of sushi and hand rolls including soft shell crab, salmon and tuna and, while Orange is more than 250km from the coast, the fish is as fresh as you would expect to find in Sydney.
The kingfish carpaccio with jalapeños, micro herb, yuzu and ponzu is light and melts in the mouth with just the right amount of citrus tang. The agedashi tofu is a classic combination of soft, crispy and sticky with the grated daikon and flaked fish adding to the mix.
The char grilled wagyu with baked sweet potato and potato, broccoli and carrot sounded like a classic Aussie meat and three veg but took on a new dimension with the addition of teriyaki butter sauce.
There is also a comprehensive drinks menu offering cocktails, a selection of the local wines plus Japanese beers and sake.
Of course there is no shortage of places in town to sample the region’s many great wines.
Ferment in Hill Street offers a wide choice from local vineyards, offers cellar door tastings and a wine store that delivers.
Hey Rosey, a 20-seater hole-in-the-wall, stays open until 11pm and is a cosy spot for a nightcap. Other notable venues include The Mad Hatter Drink Lab and Birdie Noshery and Oriana Martini Bar.
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