In the heart of Victoria's lush dairy and beef farming country sits the tiny town of Tinamba a mere dot on the map between Heyfield and Maffra, some 20kms north of the Princes Highway between Rosedale and Sale. We also had to test a new Holden SS V-Series sedan so it was a great opportunity to tie in a great test drive with a leisurely stop for lunch.  We were pleasantly surprised to find an attractive coffee coloured building sitting amongst golden poplars with a car park full of cars - always a good sign.

Hosts and owners Damian Gannon and Brad Neilson were friendly and forthcoming so we were soon sitting down to a little Sav Blanc from local producer Blue Gables whilst we perused the lunch menu.  Being city folk used to highly inflated pub menus we were pleasantly surprised by the un-pretentious prices and the innovative menu.

We started with a warm cob loaf with Dargo herb butter and sat back to chat and look at the interior which was quiet and tasteful with a very smart Steinway piano in the lounge.  Our main courses were Blue Grenadier with a superbly tasty mash on a layer of spinach with pumpkin chips.  The other was hand made fettucini with a melt in the mouth goat and duck ragout.  We were also given a spankingly fresh spinach, cos, grape and walnut salad to compliment the mains.  The wine we had chosen, as it warmed on the table rather than sitting in a chiller, was perfect for the richness of the fettucini and the fish having light hay and citrus overtones.  Damian also gave us a taste of a Pinot Gris from Blue Gables and as far as flavour goes is another promising wine from this young vineyard.  The food was superbly fresh, tasty and well presented with no fashionable delays from the kitchen.

We did not indulge ourselves in dessert but by the look of some of the creations passing our table, we must weaken the next time we visit.

Unsurprisingly, the owners are not new to the hospitality game having owned a successful restaurant in Traralgon for some years.  They hope to keep on improving the supply of local produce at Tinamba and intend to put in a large kitchen garden at some stage to grow their own herbs and veggies.  Damian mentioned that Chef Paul Van Ruiten is not only a great cook but a keen gardener!

Our lunch at Tinamba was every bit as good as the Sun write up said it would be and by the look of the crowded dining room the boys look forward to a promising future.