Fresh Beechworth temptations for lovers of the good life

Beechworth’s reputation as a gourmet travel destination has been further enhanced with the recent arrival of Michael Ryan’s restaurant and luxury suites, Provenance as well as Natasha Davis’ fromagerie, Larder.

The new businesses join some impressive local company including the renowned Warden’s of Beechworth, Gigi’s, The Ox & Hound, Bouchon at Botanicals, The Green Shed and The Stanley in the picturesque hilltop village of Stanley a few kilometres out of town.

Add to that list the award-winning boutique brewery, Bridge Road Brewers whose owner Ben Kraus has announced several new on-tap venues for a number of his delicious beers in Melbourne - at Bar Etiquette in Brunswick, Mrs Parmas in Little Bourke St, the Cherry Tree in Richmond and the Local Taphouse in St Kilda. In Beechworth, visitors to Bridge Road can sample Ben’s excellent range of ales and tuck into the Brewers’ home-made pretzels and sensational gourmet pizzas.

A lifelong passion for great food has led newcomer Natasha Davis to Beechworth where she opened Larder late last year. Her mission is to offer the best international and regional speciality cheeses in impeccable condition and reflecting seasonal influences. Visitors can taste the cheese spectrum at Larder, from French Roquefort, Rouzaire Brie aux truffles, La Mancha Manchego, Piano Hill Ironstone and sweet hand stretched, buffalo Mozzarella from Shaw River. Natasha also offers provisioning for impromptu picnics or special occasions, offering complimentary hire of lovely wicker baskets packed with mouth-watering terrines, pates, locally smoked trout and small goods as well as Lescure French butter to slather on yummy Laurent Bakery baguettes..

Michael Ryan,the mastermind behind The Age 2008 Country Restaurant of the Year, the two chef hat Range restaurant in Myrtleford, has opened Provenance in the 1856 Bank of Australasia, one of Beechworth’s finest historic gold era buildings adjacent to the Historic and Cultural Precinct in Ford Street. With six metre ceilings and towering arched windows, the bank’s original granite vault now houses the wine cellar. Accommodation at Provenance comprises four newly refurbished luxury suites in what was once the old stables and carriage house.