Harrigan's has a prime location in the vineyards near Hunter Valley Gardens. Dine outdoors or inside, where the decor features wood panelling, stained glass windows and quirky bits like a display of beer barrel taps. On the busiest day, the staff are brilliant. A varied Irish-Australian menu features excellent salt-and-pepper squid, with Thai salad, cashews and chilli capsicum jam, their hearty signature dish, beef and Guinness pot pie, char-grills and pizzas. And the crazy, creative chef who thought to put shredded Peking duck, garlic, lime and shiitake mushrooms onto a pizza? He or she deserves top billing.