Last Saturday, my parents, grandparents and I drove to Lark Hill Winery for Mother’s Day lunch. Saturday, not Sunday, you ask? Why yes, Saturday, because we are rebels who won’t be constrained by social expectations. Also, the owner of Lark Hill was really nice and suggested Saturday as the better, quieter option for our group. Hurrah for friendly and accommodating restaurants!
Upon arriving at Lark Hill Winery and gazing over its gorgeous sun-lit vineyard, we delightedly read on the menu that many of its ingredients were grown in the restaurant owner’s 96-year-old father’s nearby garden. Nifty indeed.
We received a lovely amuse bouche of pumpkin soup with horseradish cream, which reminded me that I love horseradish and need to use it more often. (But not in my breakfast cherry coconut smoothies.)
For entrée (appetizer, if you’re American), Dad and I shared the “charcuterie: sopressa, bresaola and duck liver paté”, which came with crostini, poached quince, and julienned pickles. I very rarely eat meat, and therefore don’t feel equipped to comment on the cured meats. That said, Dad and I felt the paté could have packed a stronger flavour punch.
Mum started with the “wild rabbit terrine with a nashi pear salad”, which I’m sure she liked because she always asks Dad to put extra nashi in her fruit salad at home. Logic win!
For mains, the menfolk ordered the “braised lamb and vegetable shepherds pie with pea puree”, while the not-me womenfolk had the “ocean trout on warm potato salad”. Because I can’t comment on those dishes, I will instead tell you that I ordered Lark Hill’s 2009 sparkling Rosé (you know I love Rosé), but unfortunately it wasn’t to my taste (too red wine-y for me). Luckily Grandpa took it off my hands, and I switched to the crazy-delicious 1999 Lark Hill Brut (i.e. champagne-but-not-officially).
For my main, I had the “Lark Hill kale and ricotta tart”, mostly because I adore kale despite only having eaten it about twice in my life. The buttery pastry, creamy ricotta, toasted pine nuts, and ribbons of kale came together beautifully in this tart.
Before we move on, see the potato wedges at the top of this post? They were incredible, so crunchy outside and fluffy inside. We somehow received a second bowl that no one remembered ordering, and it was even better than the first. The second bowl’s chips were almost-but-not-quite-burnt, and therefore ridiculously crispy. I’m not ashamed to admit that Mum and I took complete control of that second bowl.
It was about this time that my seriously you people I’m not kidding half a glass and then quarter of a glass of bubbly kicked in. Mum went to take a photo of Dad and me and, um:
If you ever wanted to know what someone looks like when they’re trying to smile for the camera whilst tolerating someone stroking their head without warning, well, now you do.
(Later on, Mum picked up the almost-finished bottle of bubbly and offered it to her parents, saying “Hannah won’t want any more”, because I usually don’t. This time, however, I stared her down. “Bring it,” I said, beckoning Matrix-style with my hand. “We’ve come this far.”)
There were two dessert options that Saturday, a chocolate fondant and “pear poached in Lark Hill ‘Auslese’ Riesling”, neither of which appealed to me. I ordered a cappuccino instead, and stole just a bite of the pear that Mum and Dad shared. I’d like to tell you how I fell about laughing when Mum ate the entire mint garnish in one bite because she couldn’t be bothered removing it from her spoon, but a) you probably had to be there, and b) it might have been the champagne accentuating my amusement.
It also appears that, when I’ve had a little over one glass of champagne, I can’t stand upright like a normal person.
After our wonderful, laughter-filled, scrumptious, and happiness-enveloped lunch, we stopped by Bungendore to do a bit of pottering. I scored several Fun Dips at the local Lolly Shop, and then Mum, Grandma, and I hit the jackpot in Bungendore’s antique shop.
People, that place has some awesomely amazing look-at-me necklaces. I wanted ALL OF THEM. Mum bought one, Grandma bought two, and I bought three, one of which I’ll show you today (to fully understand the size of this necklace, consider that the photo encompasses the entire A4 paper I rested it on):
I need to drink champagne more often.
Question Time: What was the highlight of your Mother’s Day this year?
What a fun post Hannah. It sounds like you had a really fun day with your family. I often skip dessert for another glass of wine! I’m pretty sure I’ve had lunch at this winery. I think we ate outside on the verandah and sat in the sun on a beautiful Canberra day. I love the necklace – stunning. xx
Thank you Charlie! It was a spectacularly fun day indeed. I’m unlikely to choose alcohol over dessert, but cheese or an extravagant coffee creation sometimes does the trick
The verandah would be such a gorgeous place to sit in the sun; I’m a little envious that you got to do that. It was far too cold to sit anywhere but inside for us, unfortunately!
Hannah, try growing kale, in a pot, if you have to. It is dead easy to grow, and it’s a vegetable that (apart from being hard to find and buy) is not the kind that you want to buy in a bunch. It’s a scattering kind of green – a few shreds in a quiche, a scrap of it tossed through a pasta etc. You need to be able to slip outside and tear off just one leaf when you want it.
The colour of freshly picked kale tossed in a bit of butter or sweated for a millisecond in some light stock is divine.
Thank you so much for the suggestion, Lisa! I’m particularly excited to hear that it’s easy to grow. Alas, in my current apartment there is truly nowhere to grow a plant, not even a windowsill, and barely anywhere that gets consistent-enough natural light indoors. I’m thinking my options are a) move as soon as possible, or b) nag my parents…
Oh, reading your comment is making me hungry, which is slightly ridiculous as I think I just ate my weight in Werther’s caramels.
I could almost say that the highlight of Mother’s Day for me this year was reading this post, but then that might not be polite to the celebrations we had in Perth. But goodness me, Hannah, you have brought giggles galore to my Sunday morning
Many thanks to you! And I love the necklace, and yay! to kale in dishes, and I think you should drink champagne more often because I sense it would benefit all of us 
I am so in love with this comment that I almost want to frame it to hang above my bed. Thank you, Kari. Somehow you always make my world that little bit brighter. xo
P.S. I can just see me now… “I swear, Occifer, I’m only drunky becaush my readers tolds me I has much need champagne!”
I laugh in the face of social expectations, and I’m glad you all do too.
How a restaurant treats its potatoes is so important! Glad to see this place knew what it was doing.
THAT NECKLACE! I have never seen its equal.
We can take turns wearing it when I (eventually) visit
Or, conversely, I can bring all three extravagant necklaces and you can wear this one the whole time while I jingle-jangle with the other two 
P.S. I always pull the “MEALTIMES ARE A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION!” card when people raise their eyebrows at me for having dessert for dinner.
Love that necklace! Vintage jewelry rocks. It looks very 1920′s, flapperish.
Squee! I love the fashions of the 20s, and it is my heart’s desire to one day learn to do the Charleston
You have given me great joy with this comment. x
what fun!! bubbles and bling!
That was a fantastic looking meal. I might just have to go there too
Definitely do! I recommend warming up by the fire first
I sounds like you had a great time! the food lokos amazing especially yhe charcuterie plate
It was pretty impressive, I must say!
Yayy for family weekends! Love it.. Also we tend to celebrate “occasions” by doing it a week in advance to avoid crazy people on crowded nights ;P
I edited this out for length in the actual post, but we’ve totally decided to do Mother’s Day on Saturday from now on! No limited set menus, harried wait-staff, inflexible kitchens (with my mum’s and grandma’s allergies), screaming children… brilliant. I like your idea of going a week ahead even!
You and your dad always create the sweetest photos!
I’d be disappointed.
My darling mum was sick in bed on Mother’s Day! I’ll probably see her next weekend.
What I don’t like about some restaurants is the main courses don’t come with vegetables! There are no vegetables with that trout. I don’t think the “warm potato salad” can really be called a salad!
You’re right about the warm potato salad (thought it was tasty) but we did have a side of greens so we didn’t miss out on our veges. However, the trout was delicious. And we did have fun at that bling shop.
So much fun! I’m really glad we went there together
x
Hehe, does bling mean the same thing in Australia? Your grandma is hipper than me:)
I think it means the same thing. “Bling” refers to “koala nursery and toffee” where you are, right?
Ah, I should mention that the salmon dish actually did come with a fennel and orange salad according to the menu, but Mum and Grandma asked for it to be left off as they’re allergic to orange. Also, I didn’t photograph the two big serves of salad we ordered, but yes, it is frustrating that greens are always a separate item! Sometimes I like to order several of the vegetable sides as my main meal
I’m sorry to hear your mother was unwell! Celebrating later, though, means avoiding the crowds and pressure of the actual day, so that’s something!
Also, thank you for your lovely words! Photos that Mum are in are also often lovely, but the silly lady still won’t let me show her face to the world
your family has such lovely lunches out. and I love your mum for that eating of the mint leaf garnish! Your pie looks great. Though I am disappointed not to see a pic of the chocolate fondant – it sounds like my sort of thing.
Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard! I watched it fall onto her spoon and I kept expecting her to pick it off, but nope. Into her mouth it went. I think she was hoping no one would notice
Alas, no one ordered the fondant!
… and the mint was delicious!
Sounds like you had a great day! Everything is more fun with some bubbles! The food at that winery looks delicious
YUMMY! What a fantastic lunch you all had. Can you really ask for a better meal than this when you have all your loved ones around you, in a spectacular setting with delicious food too? So blessed! =D I want to eat everything! A very happy Mother’s Day indeed
The only thing that would have made it better is if my brother had been able to come, but alas! He lives in your city, not ours
LOVE the necklace! And I’m not a huge fan of fries… but that first photo got me craving them
Ha, you crack me up with your fizzy wine sheenanigans!
Sometimes you’ve just gotta let go of preconceived anti-fries notions and just embrace the deliciousness
Teehee, thank you!
Sounds like a wonderfully fun meal!
hehe oops… someone unconsciously order the second bowl of wedges?? hehe how sneaky..
btw, that’s a really beautiful necklace!! Good find!
Thank you Vien! I’m trying to find the courage to wear it to work
That necklace is the perfect finishing touch to such a wonderful meal! I can’t believe I am saying this but who needs dessert
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
LOL at stroking father face pic. My dad would run a mile if I tried that on him!
The trick is catching the father unawares
MmmMmMmmMm! Everything looks delish – I would have made the same choice as you and gone for the kale tart. It’s my second favorite green behind spinach. Yes, I rank my greens, so what
Cute presentation of the poached pear, as well.
It was the Leaning Tower of Pearsa! Totally makes sense to rank greens. I have hierarchies of all my favourite fruits and vegetables
Lovely post and recipes as usual.
Wow – you had me at the bowl of wedges right through to the gorgeously decadent necklace at the end!
Thank you Kath! My brain keeps trying to put those two things together. Chip necklace!
ohhhhmahhgooodnesss….you and I need to cross the ocean and get together to eat!!! You guys had the most delicious food! (so it seems) You and your family seem to have such a great bond~haha! Love your dad’s uncomfortable smile.
Ellie, I am entirely in on this getting-together-and-enjoying-delicious food plan. Though we’d better not *both* cross the ocean at the same time
Teehee, the things my dad has to put up with…
I love Lark Hill wines and have been meaning to go there for ages. Somehow we seem to end up at Shepherds Run but next time a lunch at a winery is in the offering I think I will suggest we head to the other side of Womboin!
Oh, I think you most certainly should! And I, in turn, must investigate what this “Shepherds Run” thing you speak of is
Oh it is very good: http://www.shepherdsrun.com.au/ It is on Norton Road, the main one through Womboin.
Ooh, thank you for the link! I want the trio of dseserts, or maybe the bananas with butterscotch sauce…
I’ve just checked, Hannah, and it certainly looks like our kind of place. We’ll out it on the list of must dos.
oops – ‘put’ it on our list.
Hurrah! I’m in!
As I am not a mum, and my mum lives interstate (plus hubby was away) I had a very quiet Mother’s day hanging out with my cat by myself!
Those wedges almost made me lick the screen, I do love a good potato.
The photo of you stroking your Dad’s head is so cute, and OMG, I LOVE that necklace. Do you buy pieces like that with a plan of what to wear them with? I would have to go out and buy an appropriate top or dress just to go with the necklace!
I hope you gently took your cat by its front paws and danced around the living room! Not because it was Mother’s Day. Just because.
Aw, thank you for your enthusiasm for the necklace! I’m a bit nervous about it and the other two, because I very, very rarely wear necklaces, which is why the champagne was such a helpful friend in convincing me to buy them! In truth, I will need to buy some basic plain tops to wear them with. At present, I have only one black top that works
Wow. That was a lot of food. Love champagne.
Teehee, actually, this was a very modest meal by our standards! Normally we all get three courses each
Champagne is pretty amazeballs, but also a risk – it tastes so good going down, but hits harder than I expect sometimes. Andy and I have both had a baaad champagne hangover, one each, in the last six months. It’s something we learn from briefly, and then forget as time goes on. The biggest mistake I made was drinking cheap champ after good stuff. Andy’s mistake is drinking beer first, then champ. Yeugh.
Ah, perhaps that’s why this just-over-glass-of-bubbly hit me about as much as the equivalent-to-two-glasses-of-Rose-flagon I had at Grazing. It’s the bubbles, the bubbles are the devil! I’ve only ever been truly hungover once, and it was on rocket fuel. I still can’t stomach spirits/hard liquor. Ugh!
Looks like a loverly *hiccough* lunch. I’m also a fan of good champagne and gorgeous necklaces. Just don’t ask me about my Mothers’ Day this year. *bleepbleepbleep*. Maybe next year I will join you!
Darnit, I didn’t get to the hiccoughing stage! Clearly I have to keep working at this drunkyness
Okay, I won’t ask. But I will hold you to your promise to come out with us whenever you do return to Australia, if even just for a brief visit!
I feel bad as I type this, but I spent Mother’s Day in Sydney so we didn’t get to do a lunch like we normally do. I did make up for it by bringing back boxes of Indonesian treats for her, though, along with some other presents so she was happy. I still owe her lunch though
I’m in need of some funky-looking necklaces and that piece you’ve posted up looks amazing!
Oh no, you shouldn’t feel bad about that! Your Mum gets to have a super-long Mother’s “Day” spread out over many weeks, now. Lucky her!
Considering the responses to this necklace, I think I’ll have to showcase the other ones sometime too
Is there a non-face portion of your mum in one of these pictures?!?!? Either the one dressed in black, or the reflection in the table? That’s about as close as we’ll get to seeing her identity:)
Good thing the lolly shop was not murderously creepy this time around. And golly that is a fine necklace:) Bling bling, your grandma’s right!
Well spotted, my dear! The one dressed in black! The reason the photo of Dad and me at the end is so blurry is because I had to crop it drastically to get her out of the frame. I think, if you put together a collage of all the elbow/hand/leg/shoulder bits at the edges of photos on my blog, you’d almost have a full Mum.
I made sure I could see people moving inside the lolly shop this time
Oooh wow, that’s the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen! A real fairy necklace! Perfect for light-headed, bubbly fairies on champagne!
I phoned with my mom, so that was my highlight on Mother’s Day.
It’s just a good thing this fairy didn’t start thinking she had wings and try to jump off the verandah
I giggle every time you get fuzzy on one glass of wine and start petting people. Must see more of your drunken purchases, that necklace is amazing!
Admit it. You’re totally going to ply me with home-brewed beer one day in the hopes I’ll pet your face.
I think I shall have to show all the necklaces now that I know y’all like this one!
What a fun mothers day! I went back to my home town (Southampton) to visit my mommy : )
How lovely! She must have loved that
my mum would totally have ordered the terrine too. Terrine friends!! Terrine can scare me a little. Looks so raw. I need to stop saying terrine. I just loved being at home this mothers day
Heidi xo
Because we celebrated fancy-style on Saturday, on Sunday Mum and I cosied up at my parents’ place for our regular coffee, chocolate, and (this time) Parks and Rec-watching. It was lovely, so I completely understand the joy of celebrating at home
xo
Heehee! I think Brad probably makes a similar ‘why are you stroking my face’ face. I like to pick on him in the oddest of times. Like when he’s driving and can’t do anything about it.
What a beautiful way to spend mother’s day though! Wineries are always so much fun
We spent mother’s day at home during the day, making and eating roti and curry and then wen to a Chinese hole in the wall spot for dinner. Massively Asian-stylez!
Gorgeous necklace as well!
Ah well, at least if Brad ever rear-ends someone, he can just blame you and yoru face-stroking tendencies
Your Mother’s Day sounds lovely! Truly, though, all we need is food, our mothers, and laughter, right?
Yay for champagne! And it looks like your mum had a lovely Mothers’ Day!
What a lovely place to take your mum
Hope she likes the gift too ~