Reed & Co. Distillery

Hamish Nugent and Rachel Reed – of Bright’s late lamented Tani Eat & Drink – have turned their attention to gin and in the process have made Reed & Co. into Bright’s brightest eat-drink destination.

Come for the gin, stay for the food at this High Country gem.

15 Wills St, Bright

[phone]

reedandcodistillery.com

Hamish Nugent and Rachel Reed – of Bright’s late lamented Tani Eat & Drink – have turned their attention to gin and in the process have made Reed & Co. into Bright’s brightest eat-drink destination.

In a converted mechanics workshop, the distillery door – which shares the space with Sixpence Coffee by day – offers the signature Remedy gin tastings in the afternoon and fire-flecked fare by night.

Following a similar local-produce-simply-treated ethos that was employed at Tani to such acclaim, a plate of cured meats and marinated olives might precede local trout or beef, with subtle Japanese accents across the short menu.

Reed & Co.

The food, from the redgum-powered open kitchen is, quite simply, spectacular.

Flakes of cold-smoked Murray cod come atop smashed coal-roasted potatoes, with translucent potato crisps tossed through garden herbs is wonderful.

Harrietville trout cooked just set is served with flakes of its crisped skin, a perfect quenelle of coal-dusted creme fraiche the only accompaniment needed.

Such clever ideas as curing steak in koji (Japanese fermented rice) to give it an aged texture before serving simply with fresh wasabi, elevates the whole keenly priced lot.

So come for the gin, stay for the food at this High Country gem.

Must-eat dish: Harrietville trout

Cuisine: Contemporary

Chef: Hamish Nugent

Price: $

Open: Lunch Saturday; dinner Fri-Mon

Bookings: Yes

BYO: No

Instagram: @reedandcodistillery