australian PLACES...great weekends away in Victoria
accommodation review
THE BANK RESTAURANT & MEWS
BEECHWORTH
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PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF JANUARY 19, 2008 THE BANK HAS BEEN SOLD AND IT IS UNCERTAIN WHO THE NEW OWNERS ARE, AND HOW OR WHETHER IT WILL CONTINUE OPERATING AT THIS TIME.
THE REVIEW BELOW OFFERS AN INSIGHT INTO HOW IT OPERATED UNTIL THE DAY IT WAS SOLD:
This is a place with the best of both worlds – fine dining and classy accommodation. In a town full of historic buildings The Bank’s pink-painted façade is conspicuous, but it was years of hard work that put this place at the top of the food chain in Victoria’s north-east. Despite some worthy competition in recent years, and new stewardship, The Bank’s host Sharon Cook has shown considerable mettle by maintaining excellent standards.
Built in the 1850s for the Bank of Australasia, in the heart of Gold Rush town Beechworth, the handsome two-storied building has been restored to house a dining room in the old banking chambers. The old gold vault, as of early August 2007, has been converted into a cosy bar for those who want to meet for a drink before dining. The Bank Restaurant has a fairly long menu that lists temptations like Pacific beef, muscat glazed duck, venison fillet marinated in plum and lime, and marinated slow-roasted laMb which just melts in the mouth (a personal favourite). The menu changes seasonally, and I thoroughly recommend the complete dining experience - there's a good list of regional wines, too.
The Bank Mews (bottom left) guestrooms can be found in the well-converted mews (originally stables and servants' living quarters) across the courtyard gardens, behind the bank. I've stayed in three of the four guest rooms; they have everything you could want - ensuite, queen bed, mini-bar, tea and coffee, and are very spacious. They're well set back from the main thoroughfare, so traffic noise is not a problem.
During the week a huge gourmet continental breakfast is left in rooms each evening, while at weekends breakfast is offered between the very civilized hours of 8.30am and midday - and you’re offered everything from free range eggs with mushrooms, tomatoes and bacon to pancakes with maple syrup strawberries and cream - plus good expresso coffee. Try to stay here at least two nights. There's off-street parking for up to three cars and you can walk to most of the historic sites. Beechworth, by the way, is one of Victoria's finest heritage towns and my personal inland favourite.
My latest review of The Bank was in September 2007. Yet again it proves to be a brilliant combination of excellent dining (the best in town), fine wines and luxurious rooms in a quiet location away from the main street.
WHERE: 86 Ford Street Beechworth. 270km from Melbourne, about three hours drive via Hume Freeway.
HOW MUCH: from $175 B&B mid week, $195 Friday and Saturday. Best deal: two nights mid-week B&B including a three-course dinner $350 per couple. Mention Australian Places when booking and a free bottle of good wine will be waiting in your room when you arrive.
CONTACT: (03)5728 2223
copyright PETER ROBINSON 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED