Restaurant/Cellar Door

Restaurant/Cellar Door: Dudley Wines
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
Corner of North Terrace and Thomas Willson Street

In 2006, I did a quick trip to KI with my Mum and kids before moving up to Cairns. We had a great time, and a highlight of that trip was Dudley Cellar door at Cape Willoughby. They served us a "bucket of prawns" in bright yellow sand buckets...........fantastic. I was so inspired by this innovative way of serving up prawns, I copied them for Christmas that year!
Although the Cellar door was in a magnificent location close to the lighthouse at Cape Willoughby, alas it seems the regular tourist does not wander as he should, and they have moved to more central and convenient Penneshaw . The ferry to the mainland docks in Penneshaw, and despite the less charismatic cellar door, I was pleased they had moved. What better way to pass the time waiting for the ferry than to have lunch and wine!
The restaurant is open and airy, complete with Dudley wines and the usual tacky tourist honey and other KI products. There is plenty of room, and I can only assume the occasional bus must stop for tastings.Dudley has a wide range of wines. Chardonnay, Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Sauv Blanc and a Rose. Their Porky Flat Shiraz is fantastic, and their Sauv Blanc is a good stand-by.

Wandering around the restaurant, you get a real comfy, home feeling. Walls are adorned with photos of regulars enjoying a night out with live music, and with Xavier Rudd and then Jack Johnson playing in the background, one could expect good music on their live entertainment nights! Fantastic flora and fauna photos are everywhere, very appropriate for the natural experience of Kangaroo Island.

The Slow Roasted Shoulder of Lamb ($18) was seasoned with cumin, garlic and herbs served with pumpkin, pine nuts, baby spinach, hommous and KI coriander chilli jam. A very good "comfort" food, the presentation was simple and fresh.

The platter ($35) shared by my kids (with a bit of Mum's fingers into that goats curd) was great. Marinated Kangaroo olives, Barossa Valley curd, cheddar, prosciutto, mettwurst, pickled onions, sundried tomato and cashew dip, dukkah and toasted turkish bread. Although the inclusion of local produce is always appreciated, the price was a bit steep for what was presented.

I had the Kangaroo Island Fetta and Pea Fritters )18) with smoked Atlantic salmon, lemon and mustard aioli and rosted cherry tomatoes. I was pleased to see they used Island Pure Fetta... a fantastic sheep cheese. I absolutely love their Haloumi. The fritters were slightly over-cooked, so a bit rubbery but all in all, I really enjoyed this lunch. Nice and light and fresh, my glass of Grassy Flat Sauv Blanc enhanced the flavours beautifully.

The staff were attentive and quick, and we had a very enjoyable, casual lunch. The convenient location will ensure the success of this restaurant. Its limited menu really works ... simple, and fresh. I just hope come summer they put those buckets of prawns back on the menu!!