Dunkeld Gourmet Pantry
109 Parker St
Dunkeld
A soft shaft of light falls upon the beige cover of the Larousse Encyclopedia of Wine lurking alongside bottles of Grampians Estate resting calmly in bookshelves. On this hot and humid February day the sight could confuse the senses into believing it a tranquil autumn afternoon. A slice of flourless orange cake served on a big square plate with a drizzle of lemon and a small pyramid of rather dubious cream. But the cake is good and so is my l.b. Eureka Coffee. Have not come across it before. There’s a few people here both for lunch and coffee. I catch the flash of trucks zooming by from beyond the leafy vine-covered verandah. I note that lunch serves seem generous and there’s the standard selection of cakes and bix. Across the road sits the fabled Royal Mail Hotel, also host to good coffee and cake. Local wines, available by the bottle and the glass, are reasonably priced. The magnificent ’09 Riesling from Bests is $25. Seven or eight tables and a small lounge area. Two fans whirr in the ceiling. The voices of others are soft and cutlery tinkles. I’m on my way to Port Fairy.