Giant Steps

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
The sun always shines here, or so it seems, because the large dining area is always full of light and delicious things. Yes, this is a winery, and you can see the big tanks from the tables. But there’s so much more to it – a coffee roaster, a bakery, a pizza oven, even a cheese room. The eating area is big, bright and noisy when it’s weekend-busy, and luckily it is also good-humoured.

Eat first. If you’re around before noon there are breakfasty things, but after 12pm try some of the antipasto dishes: olives, Italian prosciutto crudo, and marinated ocean trout. Share a pizza (perhaps the caramelised onion, pancetta and fontina cheese), try a middle-eastern or Thai beef salad, or perhaps a curry cooked in the wood-fired oven. The menu is flexible, and everything on it is of a high quality and served with a smile. Check out the wines and especially the individual vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, best enjoyed with a wedge of cheese. Don’t forget the Turkish delight to go with excellent coffee. When you leave, pack some wine, one of the great house-baked loaves, and a couple of cakes for later.

Rita Erlich, November 2007

WEDNESDAY SPECIAL To kickstart the end of the week come into Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander and indulge in a wood-fired pizza and a Little Creatures Pale Ale pint (568ml) all for just $25.