Salix

Although separately managed, Salix restaurant is co-located with Willow Creek Vineyard at Merricks North. We called in recently on our way down to Cape Schanck and had a brief tasting session of the Willow Creek wines.  While they were fine, the reality is that we're not really "into" pinots (which are of course the specialty down this way) and so couldn't bring ourselves to pay the prices asked.

The restaurant was a different story.   We had the gnocchi (as a main) and the comfit of duck with lentils, and were really impressed. The desert was nice, too. All this was washed down with a nice bottle of Strathbogie shiraz (under the Salix label, apparently from a vineyard in which the proprietor of the restaurant has an interest).

The outlook in the restaurant over the vines creates a good atmosphere and the service was friendly and helpful.  The prices, while not exactly bargains, were, we thought, reasonable for the quality offered.