27 – 29 June, 2014

After many trial and errors, we finally organise a reuniono of the Gusto NYC group to be held at Brown Brothers at Milawa. All the attendees were able to make it except Gavin and Margaret. It was good to catch up with the crew again.

Friday, 27 June

We are staying with Tony and Eileen who live outside Wangaratta. After a nice lunch with Roy and Selena at Akita, we (Julie) drive up the Hume to their place. An easy 3 hour trip although a couple of stops were needed. We get to their farm and it is very nice. After the odd tipple, we head into the big city, downtown Wangaratta for our meal for tonight.

http://rinaldos.com.au/wordpress/

We are met there by Di and Emily both of whom look great. We had a nice meal and a nice time but I was slack again in taking photos. Here are some of the dishes we ordered off the menu.

Oven Roasted Quail – Deboned quail stuffed with gourmet mushroom and herb filling, wrapped in formichi pancetta and oven baked, served with fragrant olive oil infused cous-cous

Twice cooked Duckling -12hr roasted duck half, tomato braised cannellini beans, honey and orange roasted carrots and
fried sage leaves

Tasmanian Salmon – Pan-fried crispy skinned Tasmanian Salmon, saffron infused potatoes, steamed brocollini tossed in bundalong extra virgin olive oil, slow roasted cherry tomato salsa

I finally got into camera mode for the impressive looking desserts for Tony and Eileen.

A nice meal and a nice night boding well for tomorrow. Home to sleep and we won’t mention the little accident caused by me when we were safely inside.

Saturday morning 28 June, 2014

After a light morning breakfast we head over to Milawa for our big day. It is great to see all of the NYC tour guys there. The day begins with a winery tour which I have to say was one of the best tours of a winery I have been on.

We thanked our guide for a very nice tour. Off to lunch.

Saturday afternoon, 28 June, 2014

The highlight of the reunion is a multi-course lunch with matched wine pairings prepared by our very own Douglas Elder, head chef at Brown Brothers.

In case you have trouble reading that scan, here are the courses:

Current Menu

entrée*

parsnip & truffled pecorino tart, pear chutney, sherry caramel & rosemary syrup
2012 limited release vermentino

fillet of cold smoked salmon, dill crème fraiche, grilled cucumber and roe
2012 limited release ‘banksdale’ chardonnay

fried masterstock quail, corn puree, black bean dressing, rolled chicken & coconut
2013 cellar door release pinot noir rosé

chilled ham hock poached scallops, compressed apple, green pea puree and croquettes
2013 sauvignon blanc
main

chestnut & ricotta ravioli, autumn mushrooms, roasted broccoli and a chestnut vinaigrette
2012 limited release tempranillo & graciano

pan fried barramundi, celeriac & celery leaf remoulade, beetroot and pinenut agro dolce
2012 chardonnay

rolled pork belly, sausage boulangere, brussel sprouts, mandarins and crackling pangrattato
2012 cellar door release riesling

lamb loin, buckwheat crespelle, baby carrots & spinach puree
2012 merlot

chicken breast, pancetta and pumpkin risotto, bread polpette and snowpea tendrils
2013 special release half dry riesling

beef fillet – medium rare, jerusalem artichoke, zucchini, chimichurri & shredded beef crespelle
2012 tempranillo
dessert

peanut butter mousse, peanut biscuit, strawberry gel, oat praline and berry sorbet
2012 moscato rosa

granny smith apple compote, shortbread, vanilla anglaise and chestnut ice-cream
2013 orange muscat & flora

white chocolate & tonka bean cheesecake, poached rhubarb jelly & bitter chocolate sorbet
2013 moscato

The idea is for each of the group to pick one dish from each section.

Then it is time for the main courses.

Roll-up the Desserts

As per NYC tradition, we asked the resident Chef, Doug, to sign the book.

as did we all. Great meal Doug! The group got along fabulously again just like in NYC.

Tony, Eileen, Julie and I are picked up by their neighbour and driven back to the farm. There we, I any way, have a solid nap.

Saturday Evening, 28 June, 2014

We (Julie) then drive back to Milawa to a restaurant near Browns called Italy on a Plate.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Italy-on-a-Plate/254997154647941

The following are a few of the dishes that were ordered,

It was another good time that night. Doug was able to make it for a while but was feeling slightly under the weather so left early. Julie, the designated driver, transported us safely back to the farm where a crash was the order of the day.

Sunday, 29 June, 2014

We had decided the night before that we would all meet at the Milawa Cheese Factory for Brekkie, all except Belinda and Dr. Chris who was on call in Melbourne. No pictures today as the phone was acting up badly. We get to the Cheese Factory and the restaurant is very nice. Colin and Di are there already but no sign of John and Anne or Chris and Jeremy. Colin tells us an amusing story about the night before that John had driven the two blocks to the restaurant and going home loaded 4 in the back seat and picked up Di and then Colin and put them in the trunk to go to their lodgings. Must have been quite a sight. Any way, Colin left them at the bar baci at the Hotel drinking Whiskey Sours until late. Hmmm, maybe this is why they are not there on time.

We have a good full breakfast of bacon and eggs although in Julie’s case she substitutes Smoked Salmon for the bacon, how unusual? Eventually the rest of the troops arrive looking some what the worse for wear. No meal, just coffees for them.

As I said the place was quite good. Tony is President of the local Bicycle riding club and several of his mates show up, it is a popular stop for the bikies (push of course), lots of lycra around. As time goes by more and more people show up and the restaurant fills up.

http://www.milawacheese.com.au/

Colin heads off and then we all hit the road. John and Anne and Chris and Jeremy are to stop by at Tony’s place on the way back to Albury as it is just off the Hume. In our case, Julie drives us back with just a petrol stop along the way.

Wonderful weekend, wonderful people and we will do it all again some time in the near future.

Post Script

For those of you who were not there in Milawa, did you notice Capo’s mustache?