AU2010 - Harrigan’s Irish Pub

While waiting for the Christmas Lights Spectacular event to start, we decided to have our dinner next door at the Harrigan’s Irish Pub.

 

 

In keeping with the theme, Irish artefacts are authentically crafted and decorated throughout the pub and restaurant.

 

 

Here, we also learnt that Harrigan's was actually named after a popular song from the musical, Yankee Doodle Dandy, which was written by an Irishman, George Michael Cohen.

 

 

After browsing through their menu, …

 

 

… we decided to try their steak burger, pork bangers, and pizza, all with a little hint of Ireland.

 

 

The Gourmet Steak Burger consists of a yearling 150g Scotch fillet, marinated with KILKENNY caramelised onion jam, served with lettuce, tomato, beetroot and cheese inside a toasted damper bun brushed with tomato chutney.

 

 

Next came the Irish Pork Bangers and Mash, a twice cooked Irish pork sausages with mash potato, gravy and mushy peas.

 

 

Last but not least, the Yankee Doodle Dandy pizza is served, where ingredients included BBQ chicken, avocado, Spanish onion, and a sour cream swirl.

 

 

Harrigan's Irish Pub
Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin, NSW 2320.
+61 2 4998 4300
http://www.harrigansirishpub.com.au/

AU2010 - Christmas Lights Spectacular

After spending the whole day eating, tasting and drinking, we decided to give Hunter Valley Gardens, Australia’s largest display garden, a visit.

 

 

Just in time for the Christmas Lights Spectacular event, we were glad to learn that Hunter Valley Gardens now hosts an annual Christmas lighting display to celebrate the festive seasons.

 

 

For the fourth year in running, over one million lights were on show throughout Australia’s largest display garden, making the event Australia's biggest Christmas lights display.

 

 

A new addition for this year, scenes from Jurassic Park …

 

 

… the North Pole …

 

 

… and Sydney Harbour were on display.

 

 

And of course, Santa Claus was also on-site to greet everyone Ho Ho Ho!!

 

 

Now, I shall let the pictures to do all the talking.

 

 

I think Hunter Valley Gardens did a good job organising the event. But, if they could enlarge the lighting display areas to cover more of the Gardens, I am sure it will make the overall experience even better.

 

 

Hunter Valley Gardens
Broke Road, Pokolbin, NSW 2320.
+61 2 4998 4000
http://www.hvg.com.au/ ‎