pettavel RESTAURANT reviews

THE AGE GOOD FOOD GUIDE
2008 One Hat Winner
2007 One Hat Winner
2006 One Hat Winner
2005 One Hat Winner
2004 One Hat Winner
2003 One Hat Winner

“Each day is harvest day at Pettavel and the bubbly, well-trained staff seem genuinely excited that the
‘golden beets have come from the kitchen garden’ (to be roasted and teamed with goat’s cheese and
black truffle tortellini) or that home-grown tomatoes might go into a jam to serve with juicy fried quail,
zucchini and corn fritters. With the chefs who built this restaurant’s reputation now gone, successor Matt
Dempsey creates a different five-course degustation each day in the produce-determined manner his
predecessors cemented.”

“Just allow a good three hours as Pettavel encourages slowing down. Kick back, enjoy the view through
floor-to-ceiling windows, and wait for the next generous course to arrive.” (2008 Age Good Food Guide)

TELSTRA COUNTRY WIDE GOLDEN PLATE AWARD
2007 Hall of Fame Award
2006 Overall Winner
2006 Best Restaurant
2006 Best Chef
2006 Highly Commended- Best Customer Service
2005 Joint Overall Winner
2005 Best Customer Service
2005 Joint Best Restaurant
2005 Highly Commended- Best Chef
2004 Overall Winner
2004 Best Restaurant
2004 Best Chef

Judges comments… ”continually lives up to the accolades. One of Australia’s best”. On food… “excellent.
An example of what can be achieved with an unwavering eye on quality”. On wine… “brilliant
international selection. The wine list reads like a trekkers guide to the universe, drawing from all points of
the compass”. On service… “the smooth, attentive and cheerful service delivered by the staff adds a
memorable dimension to dining at Pettavel”. On value… “outstanding value outstripping some of
Melbourne’s finest within an inch of their starched linen lives”. On the venue… “great views with a
feeling of spaciousness”. (2004 & 2005).

“Yet again this restaurant shines with all the components that make it a truly great venue; exceptionally
attentive and knowledgeable service; a kitchen that delivers technically brilliant and innovative fare and a
wine list that perfectly complements the menu”. (2006)

RESTAURANT & CATERING VICTORIA
2006 & 2007 Best Modern Australian Regional Restaurant
2005 Hall of Fame Winner
2005 Best Restaurant in a Winery
2004 Best Restaurant in a Winery
2003 Best Restaurant in a Winery
2002 Best New Business Restaurant

DINEOUT GUIDE 2006
Dineout 2006 “Winery of the Year Award”.

HERALD SUN NEWSPAPER
Reviewed by Stephen Downes - July 22, 2003
“All things considered, country Victoria provides the state’s best eating out. If I were ranking Victoria’s
finest gastro-experiences – including Melbourne’s – I’d place Pettavel just ahead of Stefano’s as our best
tables. Here’s a restaurant that every foreign tourist should be taken to. This place is the complete
package. It’s large, sleek and modern, and the service is excellent. Your view is over the vines, lawn and
roses to undulating distant hills. And while the food is generally excellent, some of it is simply magical.

Reviewed by Stephen Downes - June 25, 2002
“Victoria’s best cooking is mostly outside Melbourne… I’ve eaten many game offerings of the highest
quality, but the “boned wild Barossa pigeon” tabled by Pettavel beats all. And the price we paid for this
heavenly tucker was ridiculously low. Pettavel has what it calls a banquet menu: three copious entrees and
one of nine main courses. And I really can’t exaggerate how good Pettavel is. In summary, Pettavel is a
gem. …. I delighted in the great produce simply and correctly presented. The wine list – of recent
vintages – offers excellent choice. Scored 19/20