NewsBite

Advertisement

Du Fermier

Proof that good farming equals great food.

Quail with cous cous, rose petals and cucumber salad.
1 / 5Quail with cous cous, rose petals and cucumber salad.Tara Pearce
Annie Smithers’ country bistro.
2 / 5Annie Smithers’ country bistro.Supplied.
Lamb navarin.
3 / 5Lamb navarin.Tara Pearce
Bouef bourguignon.
4 / 5Bouef bourguignon.Supplied
Dessert at Du Fermier.
5 / 5Dessert at Du Fermier.Supplied

Good Food hat15.5/20

French$$$

Rampant overuse has rendered “farm-to-table” virtually meaningless, but Annie Smithers’ menu-free bistro puts pretenders in their place.

Warm baguette and good butter unite. Sweet and minerally roasted carrots sing of nutrient-rich soil; they are bettered still by folds of deeply blush prosciutto from properly matured pigs. Care for creatures, soil and toil underpins all.

Dark, duck-like meat from free-range roosters deepens coq au vin’s red wine and onion richness, while bubbling gnocchi Parisienne is wonderfully bright and savoury thanks to gems of preserved summer tomatoes grown by Smithers. To see such classics resurrected to glory is to bear witness to the progressive farming revolution, all while swaddled by comforts such as plush cushions and an open fire.

Advertisement

The wine wisdom of Bronwyn Kabboord, including side-by-side tastings of Old and New World producers, reminds you this is dining on the cutting edge.

Continue this series

Central Victoria
Up next
Burgers, fried chicken and other Americana classics are celebrated at Ghosty’s Diner in Bendigo.

Ghosty’s Diner

Comfort food in a comfy wood-panelled room. Download the Good Food app to see this review.

Harpoon Social Club

Ramen takes front seat at this high-energy hangout.

Previous
Chauncy in Heathcote.

Chauncy

Heaven-sent destination restaurant.

See all stories

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/vic-good-food-guide/du-fermier-20240607-p5jk6g.html