Ritual Organics

Tucked away in the back of Nelson Bay at the Austral Street Shopping Village, a quiet revolution is taking place in the way Australians think about and experience food. Influenced by top international restaurants, Spain's El Bulli and The Fat Duck in London, chef Carl Kenzler is serving up a mix of organic, slow-cooked, and innovative food combinations.

Surprises are not infrequent - beetroot spaghetti, combined with marinated organic chicken and green pepper jus is served theatrically via soda siphon at your table - but what is most surprising is the skill with which flavours and textures are combined (white chocolate and pink peppercorn mousse encased in dark chocolate shards is an essential dessert).