Restaurants and Café in Historic Windsor
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Biviano’s Italian and Seafood Restaurant
Address: 9 Baker Street
Phone: 02 4587 8499
Hours: Wed-Sun noon-late, Tuesday, 5pm-9pm
White linen, high ceilings, timber floors and a beautiful bar in a historic building make an intimate and sophisticated setting for a delightful foodie experience on Baker Street across the street from the Hawkesbury Regional Museum and its wonderful historic collection.
While it is impossible to sample Biviano’s extensive menu, we were drawn to our favourite – risotto. On this day served with tender garlic prawns and chicken, white wine and a touch of cream and parmesan, the risotto was a beautiful shade of pink and dotted with parsley. The secret – local cherry tomatoes immersed only long enough to yield tenderness. While additional parmesan was offered, we suggest, ‘go easy’ – the strength of the cheese risks overpowering the dish’s delicate smooth flavour.
Seafood is a must – soft-shell crab, oysters and fish are fresh and always on the menu. And for that touch of the worldwide slow food movement, Cittaslow (meaning literally ‘Slow City') in Windsor, we will return to sample the lamb or veal. The chef’s special recipes are from his Italian grandmother he only recently discovered. Of course, pastas are a staple at this very upmarket restaurant. Bookings are required, particularly on weekends. We suggest you always call – why risk disappointment!
Fitzroy Hotel
Address: 161 George Street, The Mall
Phone: 02 4577 3396
Hours: Open daily from 11:30 am till late
The Fitzroy, a historic building on The Mall offers typical Australian cuisine in the Thunderbolt Bistro. Slip past the bar and lounge, you’ll find the tables and chairs in a plant-filled shady oasis or grab a table overlooking The Mall for al fresco dining and people watching. Great garden burgers with all the trimmings are served up on big platters. Melts, lobsters, steak and pasta are just a few of the other items.
Weekends, The Fitz serves up entertainment in a laid-back environment with popular recording artists such as benjalu, Josh Pyke, Killing Heidi and Eskimo Joe. In good weather, the crowd spills onto The Mall and out to the back deck.
And if you are planning an event, the Fitz has a sizeable function room with a small stage and a big deck out back for those warmer summer evenings. Call for bookings.
Vault 146
Address: 146 George Street
Phone: 02 4587 8146
Swish, sophisticated, modern interior and decor in an old-world setting; wine-tasting in the vault, a trendy wine bar, a shaded deck and a patio for larger outdoor groups and perfect for a wedding party.
How could one restaurant offer so much? Through the hard work of dedicated owners, Jo-Ann and Rodney Coates have planned, designed, even laboured and hired dedicated staff to bring a desirable elegance in cuisine to The Mall.
With their opening just days before this Guide goes to press, we know that the Coates will tweak menus, tighten service and make changes as the year progresses. But for their opening effort, Vault 146 is a roaring success.
Such entrees as a wild mushroom crepe in sage cream sauce with toasted pinenuts and king prawns on a mango and chilli salsa set the senses in motion. For the main, the fish of the day was tender and moist and the vegetables (often the biggest letdown of many fine restaurants) – green beans – were prepared to perfection, crisp and vibrant in colour.
On a return visit, the hot rock cooking is a must experience. You cook your own at the table! And save room for a delicate dessert (rosewater meringue with mango cream and strawberries). The Vault is open all day for coffee and tea – the banana tarte with caramel sauce sounds like a winner for a late afternoon tea.
Great food and an elegant ambience – who would know this was the home of a bank only months ago – will make your trip to Windsor memorable.
Macquarie’s Arms Hotel Bistro
Address: 99 George Street & Thompson Square
Phone: 02 4577 2206
Hours: Daily 10am-late
The bistro continues to serve its loyal patrons and families a menu of great Australian choices – for brunch, lunch or a late evening dinner. It is hearty Australian pub food: burgers, melts, big sandwiches and, of course, beer. For vegetarians, try the veggie burger served with terrific chips.
It’s not uncommon to find the terrace or beer garden crowded on any given day, in any season. Entertainment sparks up the level of frivolity on Friday and Saturdays, and on Sundays, the hotel sponsors musicians in the Square.
Windsor Thai Palace
Address:82 George Street, The Mall
Phone: 02 4577 8000
Hours: Open daily
This handsome historic building with its brick interior walls, , dark wood, tall windows reveals a calm, quiet and cool ambience, great for an unhurried lunch or winding down after work. It isn’t formal, and luncheon specials are priced to suit a family’s budget.
A varied menu of Thai delicacies – Pad Bai Krapao – is prepared fresh each day. Fresh is more than relative as local produce is a staple among the stir-fry vegetable dishes. The chef will adapt to your wishes for spicy or mild and entrees include curries, salads and Thai-style beef. We always love the wholesome simplicity of the ‘Palace’s’ cuisine where vegetarians are also well catered for. Note: The restaurant does a booming takeaway business.
Windsor Seafoods
Address: 74 George Street (Thompson Square)
Phone: 02 4577 2155
Hours: Open daily - 11 am–8.30 pm
Windsor Seafoods, overlooking Thompson Square, is a happenin’ scene, day or night. The café terrace fills with music, gongs (see below), laughter – even ‘Snappa’, a blue and gold Macaw, who imitates his noisy owner – and, of course, fresh seafood. This all makes for good food and good fun.
Order the seafood platter for a fantastically fresh lunch or dinner – no pre-cooking here. Salads are prepared from the freshest local produce, seven days a week. The kitchen rarely rests, and if Chef Barry is on duty, ‘Snappa’ is also.
A hint for the novice: After you place your order, listen for the kitchen gong. This means your lunch is ready and waiting. Ours rang many times before we realised it was our lunch! Chef Barry is boisterous and spirited; he loves his customers and he loves his seafood.
Hog’s Breath Café
Address: 1, 244 Hawkesbury Valley Way, Clarendon
Phone: 02 4587 9300
Hours: Open daily, lunch and dinner
This restaurant feels like a party – it is spacious and has high ceilings, lots of windows, and a wrap-around verandah overlooking the runway of the Richmond RAAF base. You can choose either a table or booth; the staff will accommodate your needs if your party is greater than six.
As for the menu, it is varied and it is tasty. Servings are hearty and steaks are served up by friendly wait staff. The house specialty is the ‘18-hour slow cooked’ prime rib steak – and it is oh so tender! For dessert try the rocky road sundae. Warning: this irresistible dessert is served up for two; go it alone if you dare.
The ambience is fun, festive and casual. Sitting on the verandah, you can often watch the ‘big ones’ at the RAAF base practise ‘touch and go’ landings!
Customers return again and again – Hog’s Breath is sweet – a perfect recipe for great dining!
Sebel’s Harvest Restaurant
Address: 61 Richmond Road
Phone: 02 4577 4222
Hours: Daily 6 pm–late
Located in the Sebel Resort on Richmond Road, Harvest Restaurant offers up contemporary Australian cuisine. Grilled beef and lamb are favourites on the à la carte menu. From their extensive wine list, you can choose a local Hawkesbury wine. Don’t overlook the special Friday Night Fish Market; it’s a feast that calls for a return trip.
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