Pippin Took 2

Away from the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast, a 50 minute drive up into the Hinterland at Tamborine Mountain, Pippin Took² is the passion of Ross Howell and Helen Johnson. Pippin Took² is a “Bistronomie”, serving high quality meals at a reasonable price, that is, being a mix of “bistrot” and “gastronomie”

Ross is one of Australia’s most talented chefs and has twice represented Australia at the Bocuse d’Or culinary Olympics and was placed third in the world at the Global Chef Challenge. He has a wide experience in restaurants and hotels and has now rekindled his original restaurant, Pippin Took in Brisbane, with Pippin Took².

The food shows Ross’s French training, utilising local produce to craft an artisan menu that reflects fresh produce in season. The menu varies but you may find a Duck Liver Parfait served in a small ramekin, soft, rich with a delicate apple gel crust, served with pear and cassis compote. Duck Spring Rolls are simple but generously filled with shredded duck meat. Fritters from made from haloumi, zucchini and corn are full of flavour complemented with a tomato sugo and aioli. A classic French Steak & Frites comes with sauce beurre blanc and an aromatic red wine jus. A divine Confit Duck is teamed with pickled red cabbage, or Slow cooked beef cheeks – tender, earthy and rich, bathed in a superbly rich beef gravy and served with a silky Paris Mash and a pea purée.

Pippin Took² is BYO – but there is a bottle shop next door. This is excellent value, simple, but well crafted French style food that is worth the drive up the hill. Why not stay the night at one of the many excellent B’n’B’s – Helen and Ross can recommend those close by.

Definitely worth a detour.