Robe Providore

LOCATION
Minutes walk from Robe’s picturesque bay, art gallery and cinema.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Robe is a beautiful seaside town, devotees flock here for its pristine coastal waters and Southern rock lobster. There are swags of produce to be enjoyed from the region. The gastronomic richness of the Limestone Coast is celebrated at Robe Providore. Local foodie Kate Napper dashes about serving house-roasted Willy coffee and treats from the dessert display. One of these is the creamiest vanilla slice in captivity. Resident chef Leah Mottershead is responsible for its eye-rolling reputation and also conducts cooking classes, big table dinners and all-day brekkies. The latter offers the likes of egg and Schultz bacon pie with Providore relish and optional extras of homemade baked beans, Meredith goat’s milk fetta and Harris Smokehouse smoked salmon.

Lunch may come as fennel-salted calamari salad or giant pork sausage rolls. A smoked Wagyu beef plate showcases the internationally-recognised product of nearby Mayura Station in Millicent and comes served with a spiky horseradish pannacotta and South Australian caperberries. The meat’s producers, the de Bruins, may be sitting next to you – Robe is that kind of place. Domestic brews comprise the list of “grapes and grains”. Here you’ll find a La Lune Rose from Cape Jaffa Winery to whet your whistle (and keep your eyes peeled for goodies from the winery’s blossoming biodynamic garden). There are also shelves of culinary wares to sniff through – cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, olive oils, house-made condiments and bulging cookie jars. Robe Providore has a country kitchen feel, with a long wooden dining table setting the scene for the gathering of friends or spreading out of newspapers. Grab a window stool for people watching or dine alfresco for some fresh sea air. As you leave, visit the fridge filled with local and imported cheese and charcuterie of smallgoods for sophisticated provisions for the ride home or beach picnic.

Roz Taylor