Like the Folk Festival, and its alterno residents, the Red Velvet Lounge is iconic Cygnet.
Last November, a fire tore through its kitchen and caused smoke and water damage that closed its doors last November. A terrible event for a property and business owner, was more momentous because the RVL is a big institution in a small community.
After more than six months, a Government loan and a stack of hard work, the RVL is back up and running, and has reclaimed its ground in its country home town.
This Girl took the Lovely Deputy for a drive and lunch down the Huon Valley way.
To the casual observer, the RVL hasn’t changed dramatically. The pressed tin ceiling remains intact, the design is still open plan and many of the furnishings are familiar. There’s no red velvet lounge though, except the original painting on the wall, in lieu of the real thing.
We were looked after by Little Miss Crumper who was friendly and accommodating.
Wanting to taste a few plates we decided to share:
Chicken liver pate, $4.90
Ham and cheese croquette and branston pickle, $4.90
Rabbit pie, celeriac puree, carrots, French lentils and silverbeet, $28.90
Quinoa, pumpkin, pepita salad with harissa yoghurt, $7.90.
We drank Elsewhere chardonnay by the glass and finished with coffees and a slice of quince almond cake with ice cream.
The main and side salad were the stand outs for this meal. They both featured a mass of colours and textures, beautifully presented and delicious. Neither of us are demure eaters, but with starters, one main shared was enough for our lunch. The chicken liver pate was velvety smooth and the croquettes were molten creamy bombs.
This Girl is a cake cook and too often café cakes are overcooked and underwhelming. Usually I wish I’d saved my calories for another glass of wine or just a chocolate bar from a servo on the way home. The quince and almond cake was welcome relief to the disappointment that has plagued my café experiences over the last decade, genuinely moist, and quince is one of my faves.
RVL is a definite go to; during a drive in the country, an event in itself, and a good recommendation for tourist friends and family.
