Elements Bar and Dining
Inside Mercure Resort Hunter Valley
2090 Broke Rd
Pokolbin, Hunter Valley NSW
Haven’t hotel restaurants come a long way? Elements is one such place as it’s nestled inside the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley. If you’re early, the lounge area with its crackling fireplace is a great place to rest with a drink. Otherwise the restaurant itself is a lovely room with the prime positions in winter being against the window looking out over the outside fire pit. It was cold, we were inside and right on the window and ready to try their French influenced food.
We ordered some drinks, a Guinness and an Aperol Spritz, and shortly afterwards some giant olives, fluffy warm house made rolls and balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping arrived. We decided on and ordered our dishes and settled in for the evening.
Our first courses came pretty quickly which was perfect as we were peckish. Mlady had the potato gnocchi which cake served with pumpkin puree, lovely fresh asparagus tips all topped with shaved pecorino. It was a lovely starter with a great combination of colour and flavour.
The King prawn tortellini beckoned Sir. It came served with a rich puttanesca sauce. Seafood and pasta are always an attention grabber for either a starter or a main. This was a tasty dish done well.
Salmon is a go-to dish for Mlady, especially as a main course. This was pan fried Atlantic salmon on a green pea puree with snow pea tendrils and grilled lime. This dish had a piece of salmon that was beautifully cooked. The combination of greens went really well with it.
Beef wrapped in bacon - like a fillet mignon - had Sir straight away again even though he nearly chose the duck. It was Hunter beef fillet wrapped in bacon and topped with a giant field mushroom. Beside this was a lovely slice of Dauphinoise potatoes and confit tomatoe and Bordelaise jus. To cap it all off there were some lovely wilted greens too. The beef was beautifully cooked and the bacon added even further richness. This was a great hearty meal.
The French theme was in full flight with a dark chocolate creme brûlée on the menu. It came with biscotti and a side of orange gelato on biscuit crumbs. It was all garnished with a scattering of berries. It was a dessert that had a great mix of flavours and textures. Most of all though, it was perfect for any chocolate lovers!
The poached pear in saffron syrup caught Mlady’s eye. Perhaps it was the idea of fruit after such a filling meal. It was served with almond crumble and fennel seed ice cream. It was a filling tasty dessert but she still managed to devour it all!
Elements is a restaurant that impresses from start to finish. It’s a lovely room inside the Mercure Resort in the beautiful Hunter Valley that serves great food. It’s a place well worth visiting on a Hunter Valley visit.