Orange is known for it's amazing wines, so finding that the folks here are also into amazing food is no surprise.
Racine is a fine dining restaurant attached to the La Colline vineyard. They have a SMH Hat and for good reason.
We went for a celebratory dinner. Their al a carte menu is limited to about 4 choices per course which, in an area like this, shouts fresh and local. They work the menu to tested favourite as well as specials showing off what the region has to offer by promoting the 100 mile philosophy (sourced from with a 100 mile radius) with as many of their suppliers as possible.
Three courses is $75 a head, and I highly recommend putting your wine choices in the hands of the staff, who have local wines matched specifically to each dish.
The pressed duck was superb, as was the venison special. Fantastic lamb, pork belly and cheese. I don't really think you can go wrong with any selection.
If you're in Orange you should check this place out. The bill came to about $280 for 2, including 3 courses, 3 matching wines, a couple of extra glasses of champagne, a whisky and a glass of dessert wine (BARGAIN compared to Sydney prices).
Also worth mentioning is the taxi fare (you don't want to be driving if you want to experience Racine), it's about $20 each way from the centre of Orange, and the cabbies are so awesome they'll happily give you their personal mobile number so you can shoot them a TXT when you're ready to head home (thanks Mick!!). read more