Great restaurant overlooking a billabong, we had the whole snapper which was deliciousread more

From the owner: Experience fresh, smart and simple dishes during your outdoor dining at Leaves and Fishes…read more Specialising in seafood, with non-seafood, vegetarian, vegan, coeliac and lactose-free options, Leaves & Fishes delivers a unique blend of Asian and Modern Australian cuisine in a relaxed, casual and friendly environment. Leaves and Fishes has an ambience unique to any restaurant in Hunter Valley Wine Country - be sure to drop in on your next visit!

Small cute place with delicious food and friendly service! Was very pleased with everything, will…read moredefinitely come back!

As a treat during a weekend away at the Hunter Valley, we tried the degustation menu with matching…read morewines at Emerson. What can I say - just absolutely spectular food that was beautifully presented and tasted delicious. My first go at degustation - I was very impressed and I am now well and truly hooked on this way of dining. From the 8 courses enjoyed, it is hard to choose my favourite dish but I would say either the pan fried local snapper (so fresh!) or the angus beef brisket. Both cooked to perfection. My only complaint - and it's a strange one - the servings of wine could have been smaller. Serving a generous glass of wine with 6 of the courses was more than we could drink and left me a little too full to enjoy the desert. Would definitely go again and possibly drink less to enjoy the food more! One of my favourites.

Outstanding service Food was amazing…read moreGreat atmosphere and excellent view 10/10 experience

A perfect 5 star experience all thanks to an amazing location, outstanding food and a manager named…read moreSharon who made my recent visit something to rave to friends about! After touring some of the wineries in the area, I wanted to sit outside, enjoy the beautiful scenery and have some terrific food and wine. The Verandah, located at the Calais Estate, was the perfect solution with their wrap around upstairs porch overlooking the rolling estate. There were two choices for lunch- a pre selected "Tapas Tower" which is a feast for two with several daily selections ($80) or a la carte tapas items listed a few pages back in the menu. I went with the latter and had a chance to taste a wide range of their offerings and all were amazingly good. My favs were the polenta coated soft shell crab, the mushroom aranachi, and the jambon. They also had a nice wine list and were able to find me a local Cabernet that was quite nice! The service staff was super helpful, even re directing the fan my way given it was a very hot day on the veranda. But my visit was really topped off by the welcoming nature of Sharon, the manager. She kept stopping at my table to ensure all was well and even related a story about her recent trip to Chicago where someone went out of their way to help her and her husband. It made for a great visit. So I'll end where I began. If you want a great location, outstanding food and a staff that cares, look no further than The Verandah. It really will make your entire experience in the Hunter Valley one to remember!

Fiancé Yelp and Googled searched them; found high stars and I found them in the current…read moreEntertainment book. Win, win, win. Arriving in the nick of time. Beating the kitchen closing hour of 3pm for a late Sunday lunch. Not much to look at from the outside with an inside quirky-ness that's not in your face. Menu isn't over the top either but covers what you'd expect. I went with the Rueben which was fantastic. The chips as side gave me something to munch on as I contemplated how best to tackle the mammoth stack of pulled corned beef and slaw. A firm squash down and centre cut worked well. I was truly satisfied by the end. My partner enjoyed The Pourhouse burger. Washing it down with schooners of Akasha (lager) and two heads (pale ale). I forgot to use the Entertainment voucher but the delicious food, great beer selection and relaxed music will have me coming back soon enough.

Highly recommend the ribs so yummy Lovely friendly staff…read moreCaters to children Recommend you visit

The best restaurant in the Hunter Valley. Hands down you wont find a better place. Because of that,…read morebook! Don't try just rocking up, you won't find a place. Minimum two course order, it is $75 a head. Or you can pay $120 and get the taster. Either way all is good! Each meal is better than the last, you won't be disappointed. From the noodles in sake cream to the 70 hour slow cooked steak, it is all good. You will be sharing and enjoying each dish. If you get the taster, they will also give you wine for each meal. The service here is also nothing less than amazing. But you wouldn't expect any different. If you haven't got from this review, I love this place! I come here anytime I am in the Hunter, and every time I have never been disappointed. So come a long, and come with an empty stomach.

Went here based on previous reviews. I wasn't disappointed! Thi place served up fantastic courses…read moreof chicken, duck, venison and pork. Every mouthful of food was incredibly delicious! The wine recommended was absolutely amazing. Also, given the somewhat dated exterior of the restaurant, the interior was superbly designed and laid out. The on the house starter also tipped me over the edge to a perfect score. These people run a seriously tight ship, with perfect customer service. I'm very impressed, and will 100% come back to Muse on my next visit to the Hunter!

This place has potential, the people were fantastic but unfortunately the service was very…read moreslow....don't go hungry as you will wait. Our entrees didn't take to long to come out, but we waited over an hour for the mains and with kids starving that was a hard wait. The food was great especially the pumpkin ravioli definitely a massive win.

Amazing food amazing staff and amazing atmosphere we were a very large group of 19 people they were…read morehappy to accommodate us and ecen did so without comprising the quality of the food the chef and staff even took the time come out to sing happy birthday to my mother with her cake the chef introduced himself after our wonderful meal. Thank you all you made our night out memorable

We had the best lunch today at Emersons Cafe! Started with Duck pate w toasted cibatta. The pate is…read morerich and smooth, perfect w the crispy cibatta. The jelly on top is just divine! Then we shared Roast pork loin, pickled red canbage, apple chutney and crackling. The crackling is yummy, but the pork loin is amazing. The meat is tender, juicy and flavorful! It is perfect w the apple chutney and cabbage. And finally Braised wagyu beef cheeks, truffled potato cream, peas and onions. The beef melted in my mouth. The potato cream is to die for. Really friendly staff and the booking was simple and efficient. Would love to visit again!

This place kills the dinner game. The ambiance is top notch. It gives off the warmth of being in…read moresomeone's home with elevated, chic, minimalist decor that is very welcoming. The food here is quite elevated. We had the three course meal where we got to pick our courses from a selection of offerings. Everything was really great except that the mussel entree was a bit overpowering. I was also obsessed with their open floor plan table bar where you could walk around it and survey the offerings.

Absolutely five stars…read more Great fresh local food. Wonderful service. Good wines at fair prices. Beautiful setting, inside and out. Inside where we were seated is white and modern with a formal feeling. We did not do the tasting menu, but rather the three course a la carte menu. Writing this review too long after our visit, with no website to look at, all I can remember is the carrot and ginger soup amuse, with wonderful flavors, and the venison main course. The venison was cooked perfectly and accompanied by a nice assortment of fresh garden vegetables. I do remember that everything was great and cooked perfectly. Lunch is served a couple days a week, otherwise its dinner only.

I came here to eat back in 2010, and the food was delicious. I had the sausage and cheese sausage…read moreroll and it was amazing. The scenery is so peaceful which adds to the atmosphere. I came back in 2012 to eat here again, but I do want to try eat at the restaurant. This is as good as it gets...