The Avalon Restaurant and Cocktail Bar at Katoomba is housed in the old Savoy Theatre (constructed 1936).

The venue is full of vintage memorabilia. What a sense of fun there is here. It has a definite Alice-in-Wonderland quality.



Upstairs is the dining room. For a sense of place, just look out the rear window. My partner Rob and I called in recently for lunch.

I love Baileys, but surely the perfect start had to be a Garden of Avalon cocktail.


MAINS
I chose a dish from the specials. These days, vegan dishes can be appealing even to a dedicated meat eater like me. It was crumbed eggplant, with mushrooms, basil cream sauce, rosti potato and a green salad featuring cashew nuts – most enjoyable.

Rob decided on lamb, slow roasted with garlic, thyme and bacon and served with a red wine and lime glaze. It was accompanied by hand cut chips, carrots and broccolini. Of course I tried his lamb, just so succulent. There is a lot to be said for slow roasting.

THE REVIEWER
Dessert was a difficult choice as we were sharing one. As you can tell from the pics, the mains had been very generous. For Rob’s sake I could not go past cheesecake featuring one of his favourite treats, licorice. Oh my word, it was heavenly. I confessed I would be writing a review and gave the waitress my card.


Extra marks because the strawberries were sweet and flavoursome, bit of a miracle in Australia in my experience.
Now here is a little Avalon art puzzle. Our table was directly below this rather lovely portrait. I think the glamorous, but unknown lady must have been off to the opera. The artist is P. David. It was purchased in a local charity shop. Any clues to its provenance would be much appreciated, although I guess it would be a shame to destroy the mystery. She reminds my slightly of the vivacious Dame Zara Holt (later Bate), who my darling mother greatly admired.

Our bill for the fancy cocktail, a glass of moscato rose, two mains, a dessert and coffees was $120. Many thanks to the staff, who were unobtrusive, but very friendly and made sure all Covid-safety measures were taken.
NOTE – Bookings for dinner are essential in this pandemic era of reduced seating.
For more on The Avalon, CLICK HERE.
Have many happy memories of the savoy theatre and the Florida cafe . What is in the remainder of the theatre? Interesting how the dress circle could be fitted with a kitchen. The cost of your dinner is amazing!!! That would be for just one person here. I find your emails so interesting and have replied. Particular re little church at Medlow Bath——-have you any information?
Well Gina, there is the lounge area in the foyer and a cocktail bar. Remember we only had a main course and shared a dessert. I can’t say that I have seen the little church at Medlow Bath. I will have to investigate. I’m glad you enjoy my stories. Thanks for taking the trouble to leave a message.
Picture reminds me of MrsPetrov taken off ‘plane at Darwin. I have sent you emails have they been received ? Regards. Gina
Yes, it does a bit. I haven’t received any emails Gina. The correct address is [email protected]