Pepperberry Restaurant at Hara House — Restaurant in Bright

Chose Bright’s newest restaurant for my wife’s birthday dinner and we weren’t disappointed. The entry is a little awkward in the dark (sign on the reception door had fallen) but plenty of parking space. The welcome Bula from Simon and the Fijian waiting staff was heartwarming. Our table was reserved and ready, drinks, water, wine list and menu all promptly done. Atmosphere is a little cold and dated for me but the focus was on the food which didn’t disappoint.

Our group of four covered a wide range of entrees and mains and everyone was happy. The choices are a long way from the usual in a rural country town but every base was covered with good size portions and interesting ingredients.

Personally I was disappointed that the wine list really only focused on local wines. I enjoyed the Campbells Bobby Burns Shiraz but at 2021 it was a little young. Several dishes would benefit from some carefully chosen lighter Tassie reds or NZ Sav Blanc.

Highlight was the joyful Fijian “happy birthday” sung and swayed by the entire team. Again, heartfelt.

A little expensive but fair. Please add some colour or life to the room to hide the stark fence and pool. Hang on to your two excellent and talented chefs. I look forward to the next menu change.

Highly...

We were told this restaurant was chasing a one hat rating and went along expecting an extraordinary meal. We were disappointed. We took along a nice 12 year old red wine happy to pay corkage. When we asked for it to be decanted the staff looked confused and offered us an ice bucket.

We then had entrees which were confusing to the pallet. Many aspirational flavours but in combinations that failed to delight the pallet. Mains were no different. I had a steak that was well cooked with a capsicum jam and a pesto on top. Either would have been ok both did not work.

The meal sizes were generous so we did not go home hungry but the aspiring chef needs to calm the farm and align the flavours. Ask the question why is that element on the plate. What does it add. In a gourmet district train staff on wine appreciation and handling.

The decor is also more RSL than fine dining. There are a few better options in town. Still if they are booked out this one...

Well worth a visit.

Great food, lovely front of house team with great people skills who made us feel very welcome. The menu has enough options to cater for most people. Local and indigenous ingredients. Nice wine list with by the glass options. Dave had a few beers and I had a local rose with my meal and a tokay at the bar afterwards.

My husband said the duck was cooked to perfection. We loved the scallops (he’d never tried gaspacho but gave it a go and liked everything). I had the lamb shoulder with a serve of seasoned fries to share.

We were staying opposite and walked over on the off chance of availability, because of phone calls going to voicemail. Would suggest using the online booking. Beautiful food, beautiful presentation and the renovation was remarkable. We remember how sad the old place used to look and was charming to see that they had modernised but kept the old copper fire hood and...