Local treats in Toowoomba

We have been living in Toowoomba for the past six months and we have been very lucky to enjoy plenty of the local food, wine and restaurants in the area while we have been here.

On Sunday mornings there are fantastic PCYC markets where I love to buy fresh fruit and veggies that are just bursting with flavour, as well as jars of tomato relish, passionfruit butter and lemon butter (made by local C. Dallinger & Family in nearby Gatton). I used to make these myself back in Sydney, but each batch tends to make 3 or 4 jars so I used to give a lot of them to friends to keep them fresh.

We've also discovered a treasure trove of vineyards and restaurants in the regions, some of our favourites are:

• The Angel Cafe - their chilli hot chocolate is divine, and all the food we have had has been fantastic. I had the crispy skin barramundi for dinner there tonight with a glass of chenin blanc. Craig said their steak is one of the best he has ever had! Our favourite place for dinner in the area!
  
• Swish - fantastic tapas at the front bar, and also delicious food and wine in the restaurant. Their wine presentation is also pretty impressive!
  
• The Spotted Cow - great pub that has meals that are well above the standard of your average pub offerings. We've become regulars there on Tuesday nights for dinner and poker, and I love their Pirie Pinot Noir.
• Veraison - restaurant with a lovelydark moody atmosphere. Food is great and they have a big range of wines to choose from. There is beautiful photography by Dan Proud on the walls to look at in between courses.
• Preston Peak winery - just south of town they are situated at the edge of the mountains, so you can sample their wines or kick back in the cafe for lunch and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
• Rimfire Winery - some tasty fortified wines that were great value
• Highfields Estate - discovered their yummy wines at the Carnival of Flowers Food and Wine Festival two weeks ago. They have a great light bodied shiraz among others.