Delicious 100: Myrtille at Nolan’s Block, Crows Nest, named among Qld’s best restaurants by Courier-Mail critics

The owner of a massively-popular restaurant north of Toowoomba says she’s ‘shocked’ to see it named among the state’s best — because it had only opened a couple of months ago.

Eva Hall at Myrtille, which has been named in the Courier-Mail’s Delicious 100 list for 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A small town north of Toowoomba now has one of the best restaurants in Queensland, after Crows Nest’s Myrtille was named in the Courier-Mail’s Delicious 100 annual list.

The boutique eatery based inside the newly renovated Nolan’s Block on the New England Highway reached number 67 on the list.

It is a remarkable achievement considering Myrtille has been opened for just a few months, but thousands have already dined in it to try delicious food made from local produce.

The restaurant is the brainchild of award-winning chef Amanda Hinds, who made the Delicious 100 a few years ago with the now-defunct Emeraude in Hampton.

Courier-Mail food critic and list author Anooska Tucker-Evans described Myrtille as the ”more sophisticated and dramatic cousin” of its predecessor.

Nolans Block is bustling as bistro Myrtille and patisserie My Little Blueberry serve breakfast in Crows Nest. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Soaring barn-like ceilings hover overhead, while cobalt blue brick walls and an enormous floral mural help close in the sprawling space and add a level of cosiness,” she wrote.

“Warming things up even further are the welcoming, passionate and professional staff, who explain the generous ever-changing menu, which moves from share-style snacks through to entrees and mains that continue matriarch Amanda Hinds’ ethos of showcasing the best of local produce.

“It’s a venue overflowing with country charm and hospitality and it’s easy to see why diners are making the trek to Myrtille.”

Myrtille restaurant at Crows Nest.

Myrtille and the Nolan’s Block has been credited with revitalising Crows Nest, with tourists travelling up from Toowoomba, Brisbane and southeast Queensland to sample Ms Hinds’ ever-changing menu.

The veteran chef said she was shocked to even see the eatery on list.

“I’m over the moon — we’ve only just started, we were in the top 30 at Emeraude but we had a bit more time, this time around, I feel very lucky to be there,” she said.

Larry Hinds, Kara Glen-Smith, Oliver Hinds, Amanda Hinds and Sabine Hinds outside My Little Blueberry bakery and patisserie in Crows Nest.

“It’s taking time for us to get up on our feet, but in the past three weeks, it feels like everything is running a bit better.

“We’re chuffed — I’m almost shocked.”

Ray White Crows Nest principal Geoff Trost was even more emphatic with his assessment.

“What’s happened up here at Nolan’s Block is the single best thing that’s ever happened in Crows Nest,” he said last month.