La Trattoria

Ph: (03) 5476 4393; Lavandula Swiss Italia Farm, 350 via Daylesford, Shepherds Flat 3461 www.lavandula.com.au

Italian, $
Open 7 days 10.30am-5.30pm (limited hours in winter; closedAug, Closed August; Licensed; AE MC V EFT

Mietta's Review
During the gold rush quite a few Swiss came to the Daylesford area from Trentino. This farm celebrates that history. Today it has a lavender farm and a rather good cafe in an old barn. Chef, Annie Smithers puts out a very presentable selection of Italian dishes at reasonable prices for the quality. This is a very pleasant stop in Spa Country.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2008 "With golden stone buildings draped in vines and artfully abandoned farm equipment dotting the rambling garden, Lavandula is a charming take on Tuscany in the Hepburn hills"

The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "Amid the greenery of this Euro-styled working farm are patches of purple, if your timing's right. Lavandula's fresh-picked lavender and veg also makes it onto La Trattoria's impressive menu."

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 "La Trattoria is like a trip to Ticino, complete with stone farmhouses, windswept gardens and farmyard animals. The lavender is everywhere: in fields, the lemonade and in scented scones."

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "The concrete-floored barn cafe has the requisite mismatched timber furniture, hanging ropes of garlic and shelves full of home-made produce (including lavender lemonade), but matches all the carefully staged atmospherics with a menu of tasty, wellcooked food."

The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "IN a pretty valley, across a swing bridge, through fields of lavender, within a collection of old Swiss-Italian stone farm buildings, is a superbly rustic and intimate restaurant. Diners spilling outside in the summer months"

The Age Cheap Eats 2004 "AFTER a gentle stroll through the lavender gardens and a tour of the historic stone buildings, take a seat in the ash grove and watch the chooks ranging freely while you check the menu."

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'Excellent rustic Italian food is on offer at the licensed cafe:enjoy stuffed quail on rocket,ciabatta,antipasto platters or something as simple as the lavender scones.'

AGFG 2004, score 14/20, two courses for $25 or less

Herald Sun, citystyle, 28/10/03, Loretta Hall

Herald Sun, Weekend, 27/9/03, Bob Hart

The Age Epicure 5.2.02 Score 15/20