The Agrarian Kitchen — Restaurant in Tasmania

To say that we were disappointed by our experience would be a vast understatement. The experience started strong with a journey out to the garden & a drink in the greenhouse. We were excited for what the rest of our time would bring, sadly however, it was very much downhill from there. The atmosphere was pleasant although the restaurants aesthic was sparse with strong small town cafe vibes, complete with a disregard for their guests comfort. It was utterly freezing inside & I looked around to see that the majority of diners were wearing their outdoor coats inside to stay warm whilst the heat pumps that lined the walls remained off & the fireplace burned low. This is a pretty glaring shortfall for a restaurant charging $350 a head. The staff, whilst lovely, seemed wholly inexperienced for fine dining and we did not see them between courses. We weren’t asked if we’d like more drinks, our water glasses were empty more often than not (quite startling given the additional $7 a head charge for flat sparkling water from a zip tap) & no one offered to take our coats (not that the temperature within the restaurant would have allowed us to part with them). The pace of the meal also left much to be desired with a wait of 30+ mins between courses. The food was quite lovely but to say the meal is 8 courses is laughable. The art of plating is entirely ignored throughout, with one “course” consisting of a single cracker w/ a teaspoon of tartare on a paper doily (pictured). Another was three single slice pieces of various vegetables (also pictured, the serve for 2 ppl) & the final “course” was three tiny morsels of sweets (no picture as I was thoroughly looking forward to leaving by this point). I also felt serving half a slice of cold bread per person w/ hard butter was a faux pas for a fine dining establishment. After over 3 tedious hours of dining we were left ravenous & glad for the MacDonalds at the end of the driveway. Similarly disappointing was the “tasting” size pours of wine. If a pairing is $120 for 5 wines I would expect a standard glass. It would also be beneficial if the wine were not served 30 mins before the course it is pair with & the Chardonnay were served at an appropriate temperature. Our party of 4 spent over $1500 only to leave half starved, half frozen and sorely disappointed. When weighed against dining experiences in the same vein, such as Hentley Farm in SA or Voyager Estate in WA the offering becomes embarrassing. The Agrarian Kitchen has such potential but misses the mark so entirely that it is hard to reconcile the experience with the establishments...

We went to the Agrarian Kitchen after visiting Mona. From one quirky establishment to another, Agrarian Kitchen has set up in an ex mental asylum and this time we were committed. The fit out was impressive, keeping many of the original ornate freatures and sprucing it up. The dining room had plenty of natural light and a good playlist contributing to a great dining atmosphere. Once seated, it didn't even register what this building previously housed. The service here was impressive from the start, with many of the waitstaff greeting us on the way in and showing genuine enjoyment for the restaurant. They weren't without error, but dealt with the situation well. An incorrect dessert, which cannot entirely be attributed to the waitstaff, as there was two puddings on the menu. This worked out in our favour as we were rewarded with an extra dessert F.O.C.

With an emphasis on fresh, seasonal and local ingredients, with staff foraging the restaurant garden for ingredients. Each dish was presented nicely with an emphasis on sharing. The flavours and textures of each dish were very notable.

There were plenty of potatoes on offer around town, the Agrarian utilising this ingredient for their potato scallops/cakes, which had a nice crisp batter, and each scallop had a slice of locally sourced potato which they served with a tasty house made tomato sauce.

The pear, prosciutto and stracchiatella was beautifully presented, and a nice cool dish for summer. This dish had a great combination of flavours the sweetness of the fruit, saltiness of the prosciutto and creamy texture of the stracchiatella.

The farmer's cheese dumpling was a singular pastel yellow in colour, with a souffle like texture with zucchini, olive and parmesan adding a good hit of flavour.

The pick of the bunch was the half wood smoked duck to share. The duck itself was tasty enough on its own, the skin so crisp, so good there was none to spare. It was served with a range of condiments to enhance the flavours, including mustard pickled cherries, which happened to be in season and the sweet damson plum sauce, both combined very well with the duck. The was also served sides including the deliciously crunchy roast russet burbank potatoes and an aussie favourite beetroots with shallots in red wine vinegar.

After this, we decided to share desserts and the salted honey ice cream and fennel pollen was a simple sophisticated dessert which went perfectly with the Belgrove Rye; a locally distilled craft spirit.

A great brunch or lunch venue not to be missed, the restaurant is bright, the service great and the...

A Unique Culinary Adventure at The Agrarian Kitchen

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Agrarian Kitchen and must say that it was a remarkable experience that left a lasting impression. While the food and wine might not have aligned perfectly with my personal preferences, the journey it took my taste buds on was nothing short of intriguing.

One of the aspects that stood out was the opportunity to venture beyond my culinary comfort zone. While some dishes and wines didn't quite resonate with my palate, I found it fascinating to explore new flavors and textures. What I discovered was that what didn't quite appeal to me was truly enjoyed by others sharing the dining experience. It was a reminder of how subjective taste can be and how diverse our preferences are.

The true beauty of The Agrarian Kitchen lies in more than just the food—it's the holistic experience it offers. The environment exudes a charm that's hard to find elsewhere. The rustic yet elegant setting creates an ambiance that adds a touch of magic to the dining journey.

The staff at The Agrarian Kitchen were outstanding in their friendliness and attentiveness. Their warm and accommodating nature made the experience even more delightful. What truly enhanced the experience was the detailed explanations provided for both the drinks and food. This thoughtful touch added a layer of understanding and appreciation to every dish and beverage.

In conclusion, my visit to The Agrarian Kitchen was a true culinary adventure. The willingness to step out of my comfort zone, the wonderful environment, and the exceptional staff made it an unforgettable experience. While the food and wine might not have been my personal favorites, the overall journey was rewarding and enlightening. I would highly recommend The Agrarian Kitchen to anyone seeking a unique and memorable dining experience.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope it provides valuable insights for those considering a visit to The Agrarian Kitchen. Should you have any more questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with, please feel free to...