NOSTALGIA AND NEW MEMORIES

Words: Stephanie Williams

The Bluff is our first stop, to stretch the legs and have a quick dip to wash off the car ride. The water is noticeably warmer than down around Hobart and we spend much longer than expected in the water. The rockpools of my childhood beckon and I revel in showing my boys the bounty to be explored inside. Spying the surf club back up off the beach, we decided to book in for dinner at Mrs Jones for the next night.

Laneway (2/38 Steele Street) is tucked away on Rooke Lane, a five minute walk from our hotel. We head there for a late morning coffee and an early lunch. Having been around since 2011, Laneway has led the way in bringing good coffee to the city. I recall as a kid my mum ordering an instant coffee in cafes here, it’s certainly come some way since then!

After sharing a couple of hearty salads, we’re ready to hit the Don River Railway. Back in my days here, you’d hear the trains and if you were lucky, see one letting off steam near Coles Beach. Having sold it into my kids as a big steaming train, it was a slight let down to see a less exciting regular train on the tracks but it was a lovely, short ride through the bush from Don to the beach. Back at the station, we had a look at the historic displays in the museum.

We booked an early dinner to catch the late afternoon view from Mrs Jones, and to get the kids fed. Knowing it was a little “fancy”, I was slightly worried about how it was going to go, but immediately we were put at ease. The wine list was excellent and we got started with some kingfish sashimi ($29) with coconut and lime dressing, and the kids enjoyed a pasta ($18) and an eye fillet ($22), with chips AND veggies. Hurrah. My fish of the day ($40) was served upon a delicious bed of roasted cauliflower, blistered tomatoes, and raisin and caper compote. My husband enjoyed the crispy pork belly ($40) with roasted onion and celeriac puree, spiced red cabbage and cider jus. The freshly baked brioche ($11) served with whipped tomato, fennel and chilli butter is a superb accompaniment to both our meals - I’m still dreaming of that butter. While my husband would usually gravitate toward a chocolate dessert, we were sharing on this night and I won out, ordering the coconut and white chocolate cremeux ($18), which was served with a punchy lychee granita. An outstanding finish to a beautiful meal.

Bookending our getaway with a beach trip, we spend our last morning at Coles Beach. We popped into the Devonport Farmers Market (86A Gunn St, Devonport) on the way for a coffee and breaky bite. It’s held on Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 12noon at the Showgrounds. My omelette was quickly and perfectly cooked, and the kids enjoyed freshly made pretzels and egg and bacon rolls. After our ocean dip, we felt ready to head home, refreshed and full of new memories and future nostalgia.