Cliffy’s Emporium
30 Raglan St
Daylesford, VIC 3460
03 5348 3279
www.cliffys.com.au
Since I moved into my new place last year, aside from a flurry of essential big item purchases, I’d more or less stopped doing up the place 3 months in. It became a liveable canvas. With silent walls and empty floor spaces asking to be filled with a cabinet, a shelf, a plant, an artwork. It is fun taking your time to look to find that something that will belong in your home completely, but I seem to be very patient in that department. Favouring brunch catch-ups, grocery shopping and cooking experiments over interior decorating. Oh my, where has my inner gay gone to?
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The part of Daylesford that was most memorable to me were its plant nurseries and antique shops. I could browse at things I’d like to have in my home and start dreaming of starting my balcony garden. When I first visited Daylesford last year, I remember walking past a quaint looking café just before entering the main part of the village. It just looked really warm and inviting especially on that wet rainy Spring day. A stopover at this place was warranted on my next visit to this town.
So my next Daylesford day-trip happened on Labour Day this year. Swells suggested it and Melvin came along.
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Swells and I decided to share our plates. When I asked how the vegetable plate was going to be like, the waitress said “it’s a surprise, and you will like it”. True enough, it was a very unique plate of vegetables indeed. They were colourful, interesting and only just lightly cooked so they tasted fresh. I happily ate things that I couldn’t recognise. Even now I can’t recognise them. In retrospect, I am even happier now knowing that all those unusual veggies came from local farmers.
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Swells liked the duck paté, commenting how it’s not too sweet. I personally thought it was slightly sour and wondered if that was the way it’s supposed to taste like. I must say they served us quite a large amount of paté.
It started raining as we tucked into our food. And the rain stretched long after we finished. There’s something about it always raining whenever I visit Daylesford. And of course this time round, TWO people used the phrase “don’t rain on your(my) parade” to us during our browsings in town.
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We started feeling guilty about hanging around after our meals finished, so we got some cider and dessert to share.
I adore Daylesford!! And I love Cliffy’s. It really has a country charm to it … and in a sort of English way … you could imagine pixies in the garden, or Miss Marple crossing the street … if you are ever in the area again, you should check out the Farmers Arms hotel for dinner, or if you’re budget can stretch it, there is always Lake House. (they do a weekend lunch deal – $35 for 2 courses and a glass of wine).
Sounds very good! I’m not sure when I’ll be there again, I suppose if I ever get a visitor from Singapore… :)
Oooh, I had duck pate today at Easter lunch! I wish there’d been lemon tart, though. Our desserts were a bit heavy and workman-like… I love the “busy” aesthetic of this cafe; it looks gorgeous.
Ooo very nice! I never pay attention to any of these little shops as I come with an agenda… morning scones at lavendula… midmorning tea at chowder house and late lunch at Lakehouse… I would if I spent a little more time around the place.. but it’s usually only a day trip for me!
Ooh I haven’t even heard of those places. Next visit I’ll check them out, thanks! :)