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Mystery Diner - Hospitality Magazine |
Published Hospitality Magazine January 2010
BELLINGEN IS not your typical New South Wales country town. Its wide undulating streets,lined with leafy trees and hosting some very trendy shops, give the place a dash of Double Bay.
It has become a town of destination since the opening of two excellent establishments which work together in the town’s interests—Lilly Pilly B&B and No 2 Oak Street. A recent visit there was no disappointment.
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True Blue Country - Country Style magazine |
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RAY URQUHART, owner and chef of Bellingen restaurant No 2 Oak Street, is a reluctant interview subject. And good luck getting him in front of the camera. It doesn’t take long before he steals back to the kitchen, leaving wife and business partner Toni behind to sing his praises.
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The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2010 |
25th Anniversary addition
Inside is cosy, but the outside verandah is equally homely, and extension of the warm hospitality for which this restaurant is renowned. As legendary is the cooking here: restrained, carefully composed creations of impeccable technique and wondrous flavours. To start, lovely house-made bread arrives puffing out little pots, with tomato relish, quality butter, olive oil and balsamic.
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The Sophisticated Traveller Life & Leisure Magazine |
Favorite Restaurant overseas?
Odeon, Supper, Pastis and Balthazar all in New York.
Favorite Restaurant in Australia?
Toko in Sydney, No2 Oak Street in Bellingen.
Steve Bush
Editor-in-chief, Art World Magazine
Excerpt taken from ‘Check in’ questionnaire
The Sophisticated Traveller Life & Leisure Magazine
Financial Review
Issue 17/ Winter 2008
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The A-list: 50 great Australian restaurants |
The Weekend Australian Magazine
September 5-6, 2009
You know those quiet achievers in the bush, beloved of politicians and corporate advertisers keen to hint as a human face? Well, the Urquharts are the real deal, softly plying their trade for more than a decade on a century old timber cottage in a small hippie town. Toni is the exuberant host who soon become a lifelong friend, while husband Ray cooks with an earthy, heart warming knack that’s part English comfort, part French paysanne.
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Gourmet Traveller 2010 Australian Restaurant Guide |
p 67
You’ll want to book ahead. One of the side-effects of the renowned warm welcome at No 2 is popularity. As crazy as it might seem, when you treat people in a friendly manner while you serve food and wine, they want to come back.
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Good Living SMH Feb5, 2008 |
Food for love
Passion Plates -
A seductive selection; choose from our 50 sexiest places to eat.
"No 2 Oak Street Bellingen - Pretty century old candle lit
cottage with a host who makes you feel like family in a charming hippie
village. 6655 9000"
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ABC Delicious Dec 2007 – Jan 2008 |
My most memorable meal of 2007
Top foodies share their experiences, from matsutake mushrooms in a
Tokyo sushi bar to freshly caught tuna on the WA coast...
"It
has to be a glorious spring afternoon after I bought a campervan with every
conceivable cooking tool. My wife, Toni, and I drove to South West Rocks,
popped into the Jerseyville Co-op for fresh squid and prawns, then parked on
the beach. With butter garlic and lemon, we barbequed a leisurely feast and ate
it with a crisp NZ chardonnay."
Ray
Urquhart, No2 Oak Street, Bellingen
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Greater Pt Macquarie Focus Magazine - Aug 2007 |
Some
couples are just meant to be. Almost thirty years ago a young apprentice and
his girlfriend had a vision. To travel, to work; to build a reputation based on
expertise, fun and professionalism in the fickle world of hospitality. Their
union has not only seen them creating one of the most decorated restaurants in
New South Wales, but parenting the delightful daughter Shani and son Mick who
are treading similar paths: Shani a
maitre'd, and Mick a 4th year apprentice who assists Dad creatively
each night at No 2.
Ray and Toni Urquhart began their careers
in Canberra, then to ‘The Peninsula' at the Husky Pub in Jervis Bay for 7
years. Rimuwhare, ‘The House of Red
Pine', a country retreat in New Zealand, drew them abroad for 4 years.
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"You may not remember us but we dined with you on the
18th January 2008 on the verandah near the entrance. We both wanted to thank you
very much for a wonderful night enjoying your great food and company. The
crispy skin duck and Oak street potted bread were especially delectable.
As fellow hospitality industry types, we found it
refreshing to see how passionate and involved you are with your guests, your
food, impeccable wine knowledge and selection, and your setting in Bellingen.
This is so hard to find in Sydney restaurants, and
also when hiring staff for our families' hotels as most people can't be trained
to be passionate.
As parents we especially loved seeing you (Toni) run
up the alley, with another couples baby and pram, trying to stop her crying so
they could enjoy themselves. Now that's
something you don't see written in the SMH Good Food Guide. "
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