February 4th, 2023Compliments to chef Lizzy at The Savoia

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes

THE Savoia Hotel in Hepburn Springs has been a fixture of the region for 150 years in some form, or name, or another.

But it has recently undergone a major transformation and is now under the watch of manager Ross Gregory with well-known chef Lizzy Payne in the kitchen.
Stepping inside, the first thing you notice, and you can’t not, is the bar. It’s an impressive 14 metres and reaches from the bistro to the sports bar areas. And everywhere feels both spacious and welcoming.
Ross has been busy getting his team together, no mean feat at the moment, and also working through offering live local music, getting ready for functions and listening to what the locals want.
But, with the atmosphere ticked off, we are here for the food. And it is hands-down amazing. Lizzy has worked at a number of local venues and knows her stuff. There are the traditional favourites that we all know and love, as well as some very modern offerings. A big thumbs up too to our wait staffer Ashleigh – spot on.
Entrees
Kyle’s starter choice was the kingfish tartare with avocado, pomegranate and
wonton ($22). This ended up being tuna, no kingfish available, but it was just divine
and I reckon the dish of the entire meal. Presentation was delightful and the flavours
were perfect. Felt more like fine dining than a pub.
Now, everyone knows I love all things Asian-y, so I couldn’t go past the sulphur
spring mushroom with buckwheat, nori, wasabi and candied lemon ($19). Again, what
a winner. Umami flavours everywhere and again, that presentation. Delicate and robust
and mouth-watering. Compliments to the chef.
Mains
For mains Kyle had the braised lamb pita with Greek chips, pickled onion and
mustard aioli ($36). A big serve of fall-apart lamb, topped with a Greek-style salad and
with a huge side of the chips. Kyle wrapped the whole lot up, not the chips, in the pita
bread and remained quiet for quite some time.
I chose the calamari, which I often do, but this was done Szechuan-style with
tomato, chickpea, chorizo and rocket ($30). Big, oh-so-tender calamari pieces with an
amazing blend of bold, spicy, sweet and garlicky flavours – topped with a rocket salad
with pickled onions. It is really different to the “normal” calamari and definitely worth
trying. I loved it.
Dessert
Full, but determined to try just one of the many desserts on offer, we choose the
aptly named chocolate nemesis with chocolate soil, raspberries and coffee cream ($18).
OMG. Just try this for the coffee cream and then bite into that delicious chocolate slice
– so rich, so creamy, so yum. The raspberries are the perfect foil, with their tartness, but
then the chocolate soil is too tempting and you are back in chocolate heaven. Or is that
a chocolate coma happening?

Other offerings
We went on a Friday but I highly recommend heading to The Savoia on a Monday
for the Mad Monday’s Locals’ Night Feed Me ($59). It’s a shared banquet-style three-
course meal and includes a schooner of house lager, or a glass of house red/white wine.
Hearing lots of good feedback on this one. Don’t have a big lunch.
There’s also Thirsty Thursday with selected cocktails for $15 from 6pm-8pm. Also
on Thursdays is Parma Night with your choice of parma for $31 which also includes a
schooner of house lager, or a glass of house red/white wine. Can’t do better than that.
Finally, if you love your Sunday roast albeit “a slightly fancier version of your
mum’s/nan’s Sunday roast” with all the trimmings for just $25, you are sorted.
More casual
If you are after something a little more low-key, try the bar menu. Plenty of choices
for everyone, from chicken adobo wings with chilli and coriander ($14) to tempura
mushrooms with lemon aioli ($16). And you can enjoy that amazing bar!
Functions
The Savoia Hotel team prides itself on being able to offer the perfect function at an
affordable price. The menus can be packaged to suit a stand-up/cocktail style function
or a sit-down function. The function room can cater for between 80 and 100 guests
depending on the room arrangement. And really, you will be joining in 150 years of
history in Hepburn Springs. Just imagine the parties and celebrations that have been
held within these walls since the gold rush. Something special there.