Sprouting from quiet spots around Tasmania are charming eateries worth jumping in the car and appointing a designated driver for. While Hubert and Dan may have been around for a little while now, the café’s following has skyrocketed of late – particularly of an evening, when you absolutely must book otherwise it’s a parmi and chips down the road. It’s easy to see what all the fuss is about. There’s so much romance behind the place it hurts, starting with its spot smack bang opposite a leafy park on the main drag in Longford. Classically Tasmanian, the town 20 minutes from Launceston has convict connections, antique shops and an iconic bakery. The love continues inside Hubert and Dan, where high ceilings overlook walls of timber shelves lined with house-made preserves and highland honey, mismatched timber tables, vinyl chairs, floorboards and beavering wait staff in chambray and Nikes. But the passion is most evident on each plate. Bringing a swag of experience from acclaimed eating establishments to the table, chef and owner Danielle Lefrancois’ style is elegantly simple, fun and filling.
Poised close to outstanding Tasmanian produce, Hubert and Dan’s offerings are a particular celebration of what’s so delicious about this state. Sitting at a tiny round table coated in white linen, a bunch of sage and bone handled cutlery, we pick from a small set dinner menu only offered on Thursdays (otherwise it’s a sensational weekday breakfast and lunch menu including steamed pork buns and house made bagels). It’s smoked salmon brandade with excellent company in roasted red peppers, olive and sour cucumber for me, and wild mushroom risotto with pickled onions and Persian fetta for her. Just a touch of blue cheese butter atop Cape Grim eye fillet joins dauphinois potato galette and brussel sprouts. Our other option is sticky pork ribs with baked apple and celeriac puree, almond and pickled broccoflower. It’s a charming demonstration of how to do the dishes we’ve come to recognise really, really well. The best is saved til last: frangipani sponge caramelised at the final point and served with cardamom ice cream and poached pear.
The nod to indulgent, judicious French cuisine can be traced to Danielle’s training beneath Geraud Fabre. We sip on Henri Quilter chardonnay, Yea Valley pinot noir and finish with a cheeky gin and tonic. The list of refreshments shows off Tassie’s booming cider scene and boasts some tasty imports. As for crowd, there’s often a stack of mature ladies in pearls and shoulder-draped jumpers, who’ve popped in from the farm for tea and one of Danielle’s exquisite baked treats, plus young tourists passing through and the odd tradie after a locally-roasted coffee to takeaway. Tonight there’s just us and a pleasant hum of people enjoying a good feed. If it weren’t for the occasional truck of livestock trundling past, we could be in a bistro in Paris.Stock Status:Small Parcel Delivery Qty: Add to Cart Summary 43 cm w x 51 cm d x 82 cm h.Solid wood frame in a Walnut finish.Dimensions & More Info DETAILED SPECIFICATIONSOverall product dimensions: 43 cm w x 51 cm d x 82 cm h.Seat depth: 40 cm.
Seat height: 45 cm.Back height: 36 cm.PACKAGINGNumber of boxes: 1.Shipping package: 88 cm w x 59 cm d x 16 cm h.Packaged weight: 6 kgs.ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONSCARE Delivery We offer three types of delivery (Small Parcel, Standard, Deluxe) determined by the products in your order. A product’s delivery type is displayed under the “Stock Status” information on each product page online. Delivery charges are determined by your delivery destination and are charged per order. Multiple-product orders are charged according to the product with the highest delivery type. Sometimes products may arrive separately but you will only be charged one delivery fee per order. NOTE: In some areas, we are unable to provide our full Deluxe service. For pricing and further details, visit our Delivery Information Page. Delivery Times Once your order has been fulfilled at our Distribution Centre (for in-stock items allow up to 3 working days to receive your Order Fulfillment email), it will ship to you according to the following timetable: Destination Transit Time* Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane 1-3 business days Regional NSW, VIC & QLD;
ACT 2-4 business days Country NSW, VIC & QLD; SA 3-7 business days TAS, WA, NT, North QLD 7-10 business days *Transit times listed are estimates and are not guaranteed. Please provide a street address for delivery – we cannot ship to PO Boxes.King Furniture Design Quality For decades, King Living’s designers have been developing elegant and outstanding award-winning furniture, built to the highest international standards. King Living's commitment to handcrafted quality and design excellence has remained unchanged for more than 35 years. King Living's designers work to the highest standards to create interior solutions for every lifestyle. King Living has built a reputation as strong as the galvanised steel frames that make King Living sofas famously comfortable, supportive and durable. Since 1977, King Living has designed and manufactured contemporary, award-winning furniture. Each year, King Living introduces new designer furniture and sofa designs which incorporate the latest in comfort and style..
The Room Project by Darren Palmer Take a Seat with Kate Waterhouse The Room Project by Kate Waterhouse King Christmas Competition You could WIN a $500 King Living Gift Voucher OPERATORS are confident the Tasmanian Government’s $31 million refurbishment of two Bass Strait ferries and a beefed up sailing schedule will lead to increased reservations. MORE: REVAMP HELPS LIFT LOCAL SPIRITSTT-Line’s Spirit of Tasmania I was officially unveiled today at its Devonport terminal, even though the ferry has already made a few trips across the strait since its upgrade.TT-Line chairman Mike Grainger says reservations for the coming financial year are already looking strong.MORE: BOOKING SURGE FOR SPIRIT DAY SAILINGS“We are particularly pleased that day sailing forward bookings have more than doubled compared to the same time last year,” Mr Grainger said.“And we are confident that our passenger numbers will increase further following the commencement of the service by both refurbished vessels.”
Deluxe cabins have had a makeover for top-end travellers, but even the budget-conscious will not miss out with the installation of new recliner seats with leg rests.Interview with Richard Nilsson Swedish designer Richard Nilsson said the aim was to create a contemporary look, using Tasmanian timbers where possible.“You should be able to walk the ship and be inspired to walk the ship,” Mr Nilsson said.“The idea was to create something like a top-notch hotel feel.”Months of renovating was completed both at sea and in dry dock as operators juggled the sailing schedule during the low-season.Works to Spirit of Tasmania II are on track for completion by the end of August.An extra 33 day sailings have been scheduled for 2015-16.WHAT’S NEW ON BOARD THE RENOVATED SPIRIT OF TASMANIA* Refurbished deluxe cabins* Updated furnishings in all cabins* Two new cinemas* New internal decor, lighting and colour schemes* Improved recliner lounge* Redesigned upper decks with astro turf flooring