Deep into the wonderland that is Kangaroo Island, at the end of a dirt road surrounded by spectacular coastline, sparkling creeks, and sweeping hills, you’ll find a pocket of paradise, which centres around a giant, ancient, Fig Tree.
Planted over a century ago at the base of a sweeping grassy knoll, which spills onto the pristine Snelling Beach, the tree has become a culinary destination, as the home of Gastronomo’s bucket list dining experience.
Originally established in 2016, then closed by fire that ravaged the region, but spared the tree, Gastronomo’s Enchanted Fig Tree outdoor restaurant is now flourishing after reinventing the offering it delivers in its cosy gnarled branches.
As a seasonal destination, opening during the leafier months, The Enchanted Fig Tree hosts incredible chefs, to bring mouth-watering degustations and delights to its visitors. This Summer, new chef Alana Brabin has come on board, and bookings have been filling up quickly.
In fact, the restaurant is so popular, that the Kangaroo Island phenomenon showcases its decadent lunches five days a week through to 11 April, and elegant starlit dinners until March, promising plenty more weeks filled with brilliant food in a beautiful environment.
From February through to April, Chef Alana Brabin will serve a new tasteful menu for this Summer’s second season of culinary excellence.
Founder of Gastronomo Nick Hannaford and the team are very excited about what Chef Alana has planned for diners.
Hannaford says Chef Alana is passionate about “creating unique food experiences, with an aim to share the joy of cooking, creating, and sharing food.”
“Her years of culinary expertise paired with the team at Gastronomo, and the many local producers on Kangaroo Island, means that our new starlit dinners showcase not only great food in a romantic environment, but also the incredible work of the local community.”
“Alana is running the season from now on. She is inspired by rustic cooking and foraging food using indigenous flavours from around the sand dunes, keeping in mind the first foods of Kangaroo Island and creating her own twist. It is absolutely incredible.”
Starting with canapes and a welcome cocktail in a secret location, guests can look forward to a mysterious adventure, which leads down a winding path to the leafy entranceway in the Enchanted Fig Tree.
While the lunches are incredibly special, the starlit dinners are something just that little bit more magical.
Inside the tree’s stunning canopy, a vast array of tasting courses awaits you. Each dish is revealed, as twinkling fairy lights and candles provide the perfect ambience to accompany your dining experience. As your taste buds go on through a unique journey of local flavours, the tree and surroundings are lit up with a garden of light and colour, while the night sky and its thousands of stars shine down on you.
The magical starlit dinners are heavily inspired by the constellation and more specifically the Southern stars and their magnificent colours that decorate the night sky. The stunning secrecy of the unknown, paired with the natural beauty of the night sky perfectly encompasses the starlit dinners and their decedent, secret menu.
Hannaford says, “our dinners provide a completely different feel from our lunches. Thousands of bud lights light up in the colours of the universe while you indulge in our seven courses, it is a truly magical experience”.
If you’re thinking of asking a special someone a big question this Valentine’s Day, the Gastronomo team will be hosting one very special Starlit dinner on Valentine’s Day with a live guitarist, creating an evening for you and a loved one full of romance and magic.
The starlit dinners will be available to book every Saturday night. Head to their website here to secure your spot.
Link: https://gastronomodining.com.au/book/
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