HIDDEN GEMS local treasures
with Karen
The Long Table (Red Hill
have popped in for a quick browse
With sincere apologies to Julie
Centrepoint). Over autumn, the
and left empty-handed. Not always
Andrews ... you know the words,
restaurant is open from 6pm
big purchases, often just a little
hit it girls ... when the dog bites,
(Wednesday to Sunday) for dinner,
something to brighten up my day.
when the bee stings, when I'm
and the wine bar from 4pm for tapas,
And yes, on one occasion I did tell
feeling sad, I simply remember my
bocce and, oh yes, wine! And while
a small fib and have a pressie for
favourite SHOPS, and then I don't
we're on the subject you're welcome
myself beautifully gift wrapped. But
feeeel sooooo baaaad!
to BYO (wine only) on Sundays
only once, I promise.
Celebrated for its fine restaurants,
... leaving extra pennies for two
As far as I'm concerned, anyone who
flourishing vineyards, gourmet (and
desserts.Yeehah!
tells you that a shopping day isn't
farm gate) produce and its vibrant
Just up the road, Gordon Studio
exercise (and therefore quite tiring),
arts community, the Peninsula is also
is simply not trying ... so pamper
home to some very fine shops.
and rejuvenate your body with a
And to continue the theme ... the
husband and wife team Eileen
visit to the Red Hill Day Spa ( www.
hinterland and coastal townships
Gordon and Grant Donaldson in
are indeed alive with the sound of ...
1990 and moved Red Hill in 2005.
oasis offers a veritable smorgasbord
well, shopping I guess.
Combining a welcoming Hot Glass
of divine spa experiences including
Peninsula style is a happy blend of
Studio and elegant gallery located
facials using 100 per cent organic
influences from around the globe,
in a beautiful rural setting, Gordon
Eminence products from Hungary,
but lovers of southern French style
Studio Glassblowers offers glassware
hot rock massage, organic wraps
are making a beeline for La Petanque
by some of Australia's finest glass
and scrubs, spa soaks and signature
Homewares at 1208 Mornington
artists. Choose from delightful
treatments including the especially
Flinders Rd, Main Ridge. Furniture,
small items as well as spectacular
divine rapali hair ritual. Oh go on,
jewellery, homewares, gift and
creations ideal for the glass
you're worth it!
skincare (scrummy goodies from
enthusiast. A must see for tourists
Any business that opens its doors
LÓccitane) are artfully displayed
and locals alike.
because, so the story goes, one
with a typically French je ne sais
The very first time I visited
of the owners had amassed an
quoi. And yes, there's a darn fine
The Mellow Canary in Mt Eliza
``embarrassment'' of fun and funky
restaurant there too. You know, just
I left with a bunch of beautiful,
vintage tablecloths was always going
in case you get hungry ...
fragrant garden roses and plans
to get the thumbs up from me.
What I especially love about a visit to
to redecorate my house, big time.
Miss Kitty's Tea Rooms and
Lintons Garden and Home (www.
Owners Catherine and Lizzie have
Emporium located at Red Hill
a bowerbird-like eye for beautiful
Centrepoint is the perfect spot to
dedication to celebrating the
vintage wares, perfect for those
indulge your passion for all things
seasons, both inside and outside
seeking to create a truly original
pretty, retro, vintage and girly.
the home. I can count on exactly
home. Not for modern minimalists,
Offering a simple menu including
no fingers the number of times I
but is an absolute haven for those
finger sandwiches,
who see beauty and romance in
homemade soup,
pieces that have been loved before.
cupcakes and a good
The girls' much sought after interior
strong pot of tea, a visit
decoration service also offers
to Miss Kitty's will delight
assistance and inspiration with
fans of Rachel Ashwell's
curtains, wallpaper, chandeliers, soft
Shabby Chic style and
furnishings and upholstery choices.
Cath Kidston's modern
Established in Tyabb but now happily
take on vintage. This is
settled in Mt Eliza, Old Mornington
a family friendly shop
Road is perhaps my favourite not-
and pint sized shoppers
so-secret source when faced with
and both welcome and
the challenge of buying a gift for
well catered for. And
the girl who has everything. Recent
yes, those tablecloths I
purchases have included a glass and
mentioned are definitely
timber tea bag caddy, a ridiculously
for sale.
cute West Highland White Terrier
As my friends will attest,
(stuffed!) and a greeting card so apt
I am a fan of the long
and witty that wine came out my
lunch. It is a close
friends nose when she read it. So
runner-up to my other
many gorgeous goodies ... what can
favourite, the long dinner.
I say, just go. It's divine.
And when I'm in the
And on that note, there's really
mood for a long dinner,
nothing left to say except
it's hard to go past the
perhaps ... so long, farewell, auf
seasonal delicacies on
weidersehen good-bye. Until next
offer at
time, that is.
