A little while back I ventured up the Blue Mountains to Katoomba to catch a gig. It was meant to be a little getaway to see a band, and to try to find some kind of storage inspiration for my bathroom, at the many antique stores up there.
It didn't quite work out. The band (Kira Puru and the Bruise, who I had seen at the Vanguard before) got cancelled, and I came up empty-handed and unispired from my antique trawling.
Still, it is a nice getaway, and I found a great place to stay.
The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa has rooms with views, and rooms with fireplaces, and rooms (like ours) with pleasant outlooks, and they amble away from the main reception/lounge/dining area off hallways lined with historical photographs.
Our room was quiet, spacious, warm and comfortable.
Mountain Heritage began life as 'The California', back in 1908 and it is a charming guesthouse with all the important bits such as open fires, great views, and a good wine list.
Before dinner, we joined a hub of relaxed patrons in the bar and were entertained by a pianist tinkling out standards on the keys. It felt grown up.
We ate at The Rooster, it's a bit of a Mountain institution, but it's not cheap. I had lived in the mountains for 18 months, and my parents lived there for years, but I had never dined there so it was about time I did. The food was delicious.
The escargot was lip-smackingly slurpy, the cheese souffle was soul-nourishing and bready, and the rack of lamb moreish, but I was stuffed by the end. You won't go hungry on the two course set menu, and it's a brave person who takes on three courses, but the flavours are worth it.
Back at the hotel, I forced someone who doesn't like playing Scrabble to play a game with me. Can you tell he doesn't like it?
How about now?
Even using his phone to cheat, the towel was thrown in before the game finished (and I won). I thought it was lovely sitting by the fire playing Scrabble, but the feeling was not mutual.
Breakfast in the dining room accompanied by the view (a little blown out in this picture).
So while things didn't go to plan, it was still a nice little break, and the Mountain Heritage is definitely recommended.
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