Sunday lunch: Sault, Sailors Falls

ROWS of purple lavender sway in the breeze as we sip a glass of bubbles on the deck of Sault restaurant at Sailors Falls near Daylesford.

Sault takes its name from an old fortified village in south-east France famed for its lavender and its charm.

Here the vibrant coloured fields are framed by views of the Wombat National Forest and a lake, home to rainbow trout and yabbies - both are on the menu.

We are enticed inside the two-storey country house by the arrival of our entree, a regional tasting plate ($32) including house marinated olives, pickled vegetables, Istra smallgoods, frittata, roasted capsicum, house-made chicken liver parfait with cornichons, smoked salmon, house-made pork and chestnut spring rolls, seasonal yabbies and regional cheeses.

It showcases the fresh and varied produce of the Daylesford area, something about which head chef Cindy Crozier is passionate.

Caramelised pork belly with pomme puree, apple and walnut remoulade, baby turnip and crackling ($33) and perfect house-made ravioli filled with broad bean, mint and ricotta with a light lemon dressing and petit herbs ($29.50) are our main course selections. Both dishes are bursting with flavour and produce from the Sault vegetable garden.

Our dessert choices are mint jelly and apple mousse ($16.50) served with mint ice-cream, and an apple foam-filled cigar and chocolate fondant ($17) with chai ice-cream, spiced almonds, sherry caramel and chocolate tuille.

An extensive wine list includes local heroes.

You can also take home treats such as quince paste, fig jam lavender oil and lip balm.

Lavender tea seems a fitting finale to lunch as we gaze across the purple haze.