NEWS

18 April 2013

Spicers Balfour Hotel dishes up new dining experience

Spicers Balfour Hotel has dished up a new addition to its accommodation experience with an onsite restaurant open to in-house guests from 22 April.

The Balfour Kitchen is a bistro-style restaurant with alfresco and indoor dining and a focus on uncomplicated, wholesome and locally-sourced food.

The restaurant is only available to guests staying at Spicers Balfour Hotel in the inner-city suburb of New Farm.

“The Balfour Kitchen is a friendly, bistro style concept which still offers fine dining but with a much more familial atmosphere,” head chef Peter van Lunn said.

“The food is flavour and produce-driven but it’s not elaborate, in fact there’s only three to five prime ingredients per plate. There’s a lot more heart and soul in it as opposed to a high-end restaurant but it’s a lot more honest and simple.”

Mains include market fish with macadamia, fennel and lemon crust served with a large mixed leaf, sprout and tendril salad; and a corn-fed, corn-stuffed chicken breast with smoky bacon mash. Diners can also choose from a scallop dish with pea puree, fennel and watercress salad and saffron beurre blanc.

Mains are priced from $14-30 and are designed to be consumed individually or shared.

For dessert, diners can indulge in a berry, citrus and almond trifle, a flourless chocolate pudding and an apple pizza served with homemade vanilla ice cream.

“It’s hearty soul food,” Peter said. “It’s healthy food but it’s also a little bit decadent at the same time.  I try not to touch anything too much but let the flavours and produce speak for themselves.

“We’ve also tried to keep with the theme of the old converted Queenslander – classic dishes but with a twist.”

Originally built in 1901, Spicers Balfour Hotel is a grand three-storey Queenslander that once housed returned World War II servicemen.

Externally the building draws its inspiration from the historic and grand Queenslanders for which New Farm is known. However the interior reveals an unexpected contemporary design which is eclectic, quirky and comforting, offering offers nine uniquely designed rooms as well as a spectacular rooftop bar overlooking the Story Bridge.

Peter grew up and developed his trade in the Brisbane region in restaurants such as the James St Bistro, Mondo Organics and Emporium Hotel. He also spent several years at some of the top restaurants in Paris such as La Societe and Spring.

He recently returned to Australia with his family and brings a wealth of international and Australian experience back to Brisbane.

“The Balfour Kitchen is all about uncomplicated, wholesome food,” Peter said.

“It’s a place where guests can enjoy a glass of wine and a simple, healthy meal with no fuss or great expense.”

Spicers Balfour Hotel is open for breakfast and high teas to the public from 7am every day. Guests have the choice of dining either in the stylish dining room or out on our Queensland wrap-around verandah.

The hotel is currently ranked number one Brisbane hotel on TripAdvisor and also took out three awards in the recent TripAdvisor 2013 Traveller’s Choice Awards.

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16 April 2013

Spicers takes home 4 Chef Hats at Queensland Good Food Guide awards

Three properties within the Spicers Retreats group have walked away with an impressive total of four Chef Hats at the 2013 Queensland Good Food Guide awards.

The Long Apron restaurant at Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville retained its two Chef Hat ranking in the prestigious awards which were announced on Monday night.

The Peak restaurant at Spicers Peak Lodge in the Scenic Rim and The Tamarind at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny also each retained their one Chef Hat ranking.

“Each property retained their Chef Hat status attained from last year’s Queensland Good Food Guide, proving great food and wine is at the heart of the Spicers’ experience,” Spicers Group CEO Danielle Duell said.

“We’re thrilled to again be recognised by these awards and so proud of our chefs and restaurant teams.

“Awards like this reinforce Spicers' reputation as being home to some of the best restaurants in Queensland and the great part is, after a delightful meal, you're able to stay the night!"

A total of 45 Queensland restaurants were awarded one or more hats in this year’s awards.

Headed by acclaimed chef Cameron Matthews, The Long Apron in Montville in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland specialises in an innovative European-inspired menu showcasing local ingredients, an extensive wine list and personalised service.

It was lauded by the judges for its “European inspired dishes, which blend classic technique and the finest local produce with exquisite results”.

The Long Apron’s ever-changing menu can include innovative creations such as slow roasted lamb belly with sesame, black cardamom, date and onion molasses; hay aged and roasted duck breast, celeriac, chestnut, berries and pickled rhubarb; and braised Glasshouse snails with roasted leek, morcilla crumble, fennel and apple.

The restaurant prides itself on using local produce such as Hervey Bay Scallops, Kenilworth yoghurt, Maleny cream, Mooloolaba squid and herbs from the restaurant’s kitchen garden.

The Long Apron has won of host of awards, including retaining its two Chef Hat ranking in the recent Australian Good Food Guide’s (AGFG) Chef Hat Awards 2013. Others include Best Fine Dining Restaurant for the Sunshine Coast region at the 2012 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence in Queensland.

The Peak restaurant, at Spicers Peak Lodge two hours’ drive south west of Brisbane, offers an award-winning degustation menu based on locally-sourced ingredients, grown in the rich Scenic Rim soil, as well as internationally-sourced delicacies.

With head chef Ashley Martin at the helm, the restaurant team provides an unforgettable dining experience and, as the highest non-alpine lodge in Australia, the Peak Lodge dining room boasts spectacular views over Main Range National Park.

The team follows the gourmet philosophy of  “paddock to plate” - focusing on locally-sourced, seasonal, sustainable ingredients to create a refined and exciting menu best described as modern European but with an Aussie twist.

Its seven-course degustation menu can include cured salmon with beetroot, citrus and vodka, puffed quinoa, melon and cucumber; red claw yabby with morcilla, mandarin and yoghurt; and confit Warwick pork belly with remoulade, pork cracker and vierge.

The Peak also recently achieved one Chef Hat at the 2013 Australian Good Food Guide Awards, and has won a host of other accolades including Best Fine Dining Restaurant and Restaurant Of The Year at the 2012 Savour Restaurant & Catering Awards.

The Tamarind at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, is headed by executive chef Daniel Jarrett and brings a taste of Asia to the foothills of Maleny.

Set in a tranquil outdoor pavilion designed to make the most of the peaceful location, The Tamarind specialises in innovative modern Asian cuisine which combines sweet, sour and spicy flavours into dishes that melt in your mouth.

The menu can feature seared Moreton Bay bug tails with chestnut noodles, choy sum, black beans, braised shiitake, pork crackle, Asian broth and a crispy ginger, chilli and garlic relish; and pan fried barramundi with slow braised oxtail wonton dumpling, sweet and sour sauce, lime, chilli and coconut.

Accolades include One Chef Hat in the 2013 Australian Good Food Guide, One Chef Hat in the 2012 Queensland Good Food Guide and Best New Restaurant at the 2011 Savour Awards.

Gourmet Getaways are currently available at each property, with savings of up to $400 on offer for midweek stays during winter.

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21 January 2013

Spicers Vineyards Estate sweeps 3 TripAdvisor awards

The votes from savvy travellers from around the globe are in – Spicers Vineyards Estate in the Hunter Valley is officially one of the best hotels in Australia and the South Pacific.

The 5-star guesthouse was included in an impressive three categories of TripAdvisor 2013 Traveller’s Choice Awards, which are based on millions of reviews and opinions of more than 650,000 hotels around the world.

The awards recognise the best properties globally in the categories of Top Hotel, Luxury, Bargain, Service, Small Hotels, and B&Bs and Inns.

Spicers Vineyards Estate was ranked number two in the Top 25 Hotels for Service in Australia; number nine in Top 25 Small Hotels in Australia and number 20 in Top 25 Hotels for Service in the South Pacific.

One TripAdvisor review described the property as: “Only wish there was an option to rate it as 6 star – AMAZING!”

Spicers Vineyards Estate general manager and co-owner, Belinda Stapleton, said the property prided itself on going above and beyond when it came to service.

“Each day we find ways to surprise and delight our guests and exceed their expectations,” Ms Stapleton said. “We believe this is what sets us apart from other hotels and we are thrilled our efforts have been recognised by our guests on TripAdvisor.”

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21 January 2013

TripAdvisor announces Spicers Balfour Hotel as among Australia’s best

The votes from savvy travellers from around the globe are in – Spicers Balfour Hotel in inner Brisbane is officially one of the best hotels in Australia.

The five-star boutique hotel was included in two categories of TripAdvisor 2013 Traveller’s Choice Awards, which are based on millions of reviews and opinions of more than 650,000 hotels around the world.

The awards recognise the best properties globally in the categories of Top Hotel, Luxury, Bargain, Service, Small Hotels, and B&Bs and Inns.

Spicers Balfour Hotel was ranked 18 in the Top 25 Small Hotels in Australia and number 11 in the Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Australia.

One TripAdvisor review described the property as a “marvellous boutique hotel!”

“We are very proud to be included in these lists because they are endorsements from the people who matter the most – our guests,” Spicers Group CEO Danielle Duell said.

“Many people now use TripAdvisor to plan their holidays and research their accommodation options. We are thrilled to have been recognised by TripAdvisor travellers who have shared their wonderful experiences at Spicers Balfour Hotel with millions of others online.

“Referrals and guests who talk to others about their positive experiences remain our greatest and most objective form of promotion, which also ensures we remain vigilant in providing the highest level of service.”

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15 January 2013

Spicers restaurants recognised by national AGFG Chef Hat Awards

Three restaurants within the Spicers Retreats Hotels & Lodges group have been recognised nationally for culinary excellence in the Australian Good Food Guide’s (AGFG) Chef Hat Awards 2013.

The Long Apron, the signature restaurant of Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, retained its two Chef Hat ranking, scoring 15 out of 20 points for its innovative European-inspired degustation menu.

The restaurant rose one point from its ranking last year, making it just one point away from being a three Hat restaurant.

Spicers Peak Lodge’s acclaimed restaurant The Peak, located in the spectacular Scenic Rim south west of Brisbane, and The Tamarind at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland both achieved one Chef Hat.

It is the first time The Tamarind and The Peak have been included in these awards with both scoring 13 points out of 20.

The Australian Good Food and Travel Guide has long been acknowledged as Australia's most comprehensive restaurant, accommodation and travel authority. Its annual Chef Hat Awards emphasize great food, with a focus on ingredients, seasonal consideration, flavour, display, aroma, freshness, craft, presentation and portion size.

• The Long Apron, Spicers Clovelly Estate - 2 Chef Hats
• The Peak, Spicers Peak Lodge - 1 Chef Hat
• The Tamarind, Spicers Tamarind Retreat - 1 Chef Hat

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29 September 2012

Spicers Balfour Hotel wins Best Hotel under 50 Rooms at the 2012 International Design & Architecture Awards... Read more>>

12 September 2012

Spicers Sunshine Coast restaurants win state awards

• The Long Apron, Spicers Clovelly Estate - WINNER Best Prestige Restaurant
• Sam Giles, Restaurant Manager of The Long Apron - WINNER Food & Beverage Employee of the Year 
• The Tamarind, Spicers Tamarind Retreat - WINNER Best Restaurant Accommodation Division

10 September 2012

Spicers wins Restaurant of the Year
The prestigious 2012 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence are in!