While rum is undoubtedly the star of the show at JimmyRum, the culinary experience is equally noteworthy. The distillery boasts a satisfying menu crafted by their talented kitchen team, offering an array of dishes that are a delightful surprise. Dive into standout dishes like the Grilled Saganaki with Caviar and Preserved Lemon Oil, or savour the Drunken Chicken Ribs with Hot Mint—arguably the best chicken ribs this side of Austin, Texas. For a decadent side, try the Duck Fat Potatoes; once you’ve tasted these, you’ll never look at fries the same way again. Don’t miss the Truffle and Parmesan Croquettes, balls of wonder that will leave you craving more. Of course, we can go past, let alone omit the Wakame Spiced Calamari with Wasabi dipping sauce.

For those with a heartier appetite, the main menu offers dishes like Beef Eye Filllet Steak, Pork Belly, and Nduja Stuffed Chicken, along with beautifully Roasted Eggplant. This vibrant selection ensures that JimmyRum isn’t just a working distillery but a standalone restaurant capable of satisfying the most discerning customers in an environment as relaxing as it is charming.

An Ambiance That Embraces All

Jimmy Rum’s sprawling, west-facing garden is a sight to behold. It’s a space where families can truly relax, with ample room for kids to frolic and explore. And the best part? It’s dog-friendly, too. The garden provides shelter from the elements, ensuring that your visit is enjoyable. The rustic charm of the Mornington Peninsula is palpable here, creating an ambience that’s both inviting and serene.

Redefining Your Perception of Rum

At its core, JimmyRum is on a mission to revolutionise how we perceive rum. From dark and light varieties to spiced and agricole, they showcase the spirit’s versatility and depth. Their commitment to education and exploration is evident, with tastings that invite you to discover the nuanced flavours of rum from around the world. You’ve probably tried these cocktails at least once or heard of them, but did you know that rum is a base spirit? Mojito, The Hemingway Daiquiri, Bloody Mary, Mai Tai, Dark ‘n’ Stormy, Cube Libre, Pinot Colada and to name but a few.

Embrace the Spirit of JimmyRum

Whether you’re a rum fan or a curious visitor looking for a distinctive dining experience, JimmyRum Distillery welcomes you with open arms. It’s a place where laughter flows as freely as the drinks, and every visit promises new discoveries and a few cherished moments. It is also refreshing to find a place with just the right balance between ambience and good value.

The post JimmyRum Distillery appeared first on Love the Peninsula.

The Kitchen, with its warm glow and modest exterior, has been beckoning us for years, and only recently have we finally stepped inside to discover what it’s all about.
And here’s the truth: it’s more than a café, more than a bistro. The Kitchen Tootgarook is an oasis. Not in the dictionary sense, but in the way it restores you, slows you, and makes you feel like you’ve come to the right place at the right time.

From Darlington to the Peninsula The Kitchen is the dream realised by Robert Coley — Bob to everyone who knows him. His story is the kind that weaves continents and careers into a single thread. Born in Darlington in the north of England, Bob started working in hospitality at just 16. He cut his teeth in the UK’s bustling gastropubs before crossing hemispheres to work in Melbourne’s high-end dining scene, including time at Lindenderry in Red Hill, The Mansion in Werribee, and George Calombaris’ The Press Club. He even turned his hand to catering on a massive scale, overseeing food operations for healthcare facilities and managing meals for more than a thousand staff each day.

But experience, as Bob would tell you, only matters if it leads you somewhere real. And for the past eight years, that “somewhere” has been here in Tootgarook. In this humble shopfront, Bob has poured decades of learning, a love of food, and a belief in genuine hospitality into a place he always wanted to visit himself: consistent, approachable, and without pretence.

The Spirit of the Kitchen Call it a bistro, a bar, a restaurant — it doesn’t matter. What matters is how it feels. The Kitchen is a place where your name is more important than your wallet. A place where you feel like a regular on your first visit. Where the welcome is warm but never forced, and the service is seamless without ever tipping into fussiness.

This isn’t about airs and graces. It’s about getting the fundamentals right — every day, seven days a week. The same familiar faces behind the counter (many staff have been here five years or more), the same commitment to consistency, the same belief that a restaurant should feel like a second home. And at the heart of it all is head chef Andrew Sharkey — known simply and affectionately as “Sharkey.” For almost eight years he has helped Bob set the tempo and flavour of what follows.

What’s on the Plate Like any good oasis, the heart of The Kitchen lies in what it serves. On our visits so far, a few dishes have already carved themselves into memory.

Breakfast might mean The Keto Kick: broccoli and feta hotcakes stacked high, paired with house-made green tomato chutney, two perfectly poached eggs and a drizzle of aged balsamic. It’s a dish that wakes you up without weighing you down, a clever balance of comfort and freshness.

For something heartier, the Lamb Shank delivers exactly what you’d hope — flavour that lingers, meat that slips from the bone with barely a nudge. Eating it feels a little like the season itself: autumn giving way to winter, slow, inevitable, but welcome.

There’s also the Fettuccini Vongole, which could have wandered in from Chapel Street’s Café Cucina — all briny sweetness and silk-slick pasta; a plate that makes you stop mid-sentence, close your eyes, and savour it again.

Of course, some of the simplest things hit hardest. Their famous bacon sandwich might be the best hangover cure on the Peninsula, salty and satisfying in a way that only a perfectly built sandwich can be.

And then there’s Thursday night. The Kitchen’s ode to the Parma is the stuff of legend. Where else will you find eight different versions of the classic chicken parma, each with its own flair — traditional, Italian, Hawaiian, Spanish, Greek, Aussie, and more — served with a pot of beer or a glass of wine for just $25? It’s not just a meal; it’s a weekly ritual, a magnet for locals and visitors alike, proof that food doesn’t have to be complicated to bring joy.

More Than Food Bob, Sharkey, and their team see the restaurant as more than just a place to eat. It’s a stage for connection. That moment when a patron smiles over a plate, when friends linger a little longer than planned, when someone pops in for a coffee and ends up staying for lunch. These are the daily rewards, the icing on the cake, and the reason the doors open every morning.

Local suppliers and producers are part of the story too. Wherever possible, The Kitchen draws from the Peninsula’s own bounty — wines, ingredients, people. It’s not a slogan, but a practice, embedded in the rhythm of how they work.

Next time you see this beacon. Next time you’re driving the stretch between Rosebud and Rye, watch for that flicker of light on the roadside. What seems like a dark corner store is anything but. Inside, you’ll find a room alive with conversation, dishes that surprise and satisfy, and a team who make you feel at home from the minute you step in.

The Kitchen Tootgarook is proof that beacons don’t just guide ships at sea. On land, too, they exist — in the glow of a humble corner store, in a table where your name matters, and in a meal that restores you in the simplest, most enduring way.

The post The Kitchen Tootgarook appeared first on Love the Peninsula.

S U N D A Y S E S S I O N S @ JIMMYRUM

Join us for our weekly Sunday Sessions from 1.30pm.

Where we have live music, cocktails, rum and plenty of good times!

Bring the kids, bring the dog, chill out and see the weekend out in style with cocktails and tunes!

The post Simon Trist Live at JimmyRum appeared first on Love the Peninsula.

The enchanting elixir has tickled taste buds and turned gatherings into fiestas for generations. Picture this: a warm summer day in Spain, on the Mornington Peninsula, the sun kissing your skin, and a glass of vibrant red Sangria in hand. But what exactly is in this concoction of joy? Buckle up, as we embark on a journey through Sangria’s history, flavours, and frivolities but from our friends Spanish Nook, in Mornington, Tio Tapas.

Legend has it that Sangria was born when a Spanish bartender decided to throw a wild party but realized he had run out of regular wine. Determined not to let the party spirits dwindle, he mixed whatever he could find in the tavern: a splash of wine, a dash of brandy, a sprinkle of fruit, and voilà! Sangria was born, and the rest it is said, is history.

Now, let’s stop for a minute and talk about ingredients, after all, we are in the best region in the world with world class ingredients. Sangria is like a summer orchestra of flavours and colours, with wine as its conductor. The main act? Red wine, preferably from the Pen, fruity is the cue. Then comes the brandy, the liquid courage that gets even the shyest dancers grooving. Well, we don’t like whatever, we like quality and, in our case, we’ve mixed Peninsula Wine with Australia’s best brandy, Bass & Flinders, Noble Stranger Brandy (and recently awarded Gold Medal at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2023) Finally we toss in the orange juice – a nod to Vitamin C enthusiasts who believe that you make Sangria if life gives you oranges.

But what’s a party without a bit of fruit? It’s like a tropical paradise decided to dip in your glass. Oranges, lemons, limes, and apples dive in, creating a symphony of sweet and tangy notes. And don’t forget the grand finale: a splash of soda water to give your Sangria its bubbly personality. It’s like the effervescent gossip of the party, always keeping the conversation lively.

“Why is Sangria so loved?” you ask. Well, aside from its flirtatious taste, it’s the embodiment of Spanish spirit. Like Spanish culture, like our culture on the Pen, Sangria is about coming together, sharing stories, and making memories. It’s a drink that’s as humble as a tapas bar and as welcoming as an old friend’s embrace. It’s no wonder it’s a staple at every Spanish celebration, from weddings to bull runs (though I wouldn’t recommend trying to run with a glass of Sangria in hand) and also at Tio Tapas and on occasion Bass & Flinders.

As for when to enjoy Sangria, the answer is simple: whenever the sun is shining, and your heart is light. It’s the perfect companion for lazy afternoons on the patio, beach picnics, and rooftop soirées. Just imagine taking a sip, closing your eyes, and feeling the Spanish sun on your face – a virtual vacation in a glass.

But a word of caution, dear friends. Sangria might be a friendly and inviting drink, but it’s not to be underestimated. It’s a bit like a matador – charming and graceful, yet with a hidden power that can catch you off guard. It’s easy to lose track of how many glasses you’ve had, especially when the laughter is flowing faster than the wine. So, enjoy responsibly, and remember that Sangria is best enjoyed in moderation unless you want to be the star of your own flamenco show, in your own mind, by the end of the night.

So, there it is, the compelling tale of Sangria – a drink that’s a fiesta in a glass, a taste of our zest for life. Raise your Sangria-filled glass high, toast to adventure, and remember the wise words: never take yourself too seriously because we’re all here to sip, savour, and share a laugh. Three cheers. To Sangria, the true spirit of Spain, in every sip! Cheers to Tio Tapas in Mornington, for bringing Spain to the Mornington Peninsula and cheers to Bass and Flinders Distillery, for making one of the best Brandy’s in the world! (We’d call it Cognac but that wouldn’t do it justice

The post Spanish Delight at Tio Tapas appeared first on Love the Peninsula.

There’s no better way to finish off a great weekend or pre-empt a tough week ahead by lapping up some live tunes, enjoying a chilled vibe with of a few mojitos, local beers or wines.

Every Sunday from 3pm, local musicians play live at JimmyRum Distillery.

These Sunday sessions can fill quickly, so be sure to reserve a table inside the distillery & bar or outside in the rum garden to avoid missing out.

The post Live Music Sunday sessions at JimmyRum Distillery appeared first on Love the Peninsula.

Immerse yourself in Latin American, Portuguese and Spanish cultures throughout the day with delicious BBQs, street food, music, dance performances and workshops for the entire family to enjoy, while roaming the unique craft stalls.

HIGHLIGHTS – Something for everyone!
– Carnival Parade at 2pm from Frankston Station
– Bar Espanol, the Spanish Bar
– Food Trucks & Food Demos
– Art Exhibitions
– Welcome Concert from 6pm with Kutcha Edwards and Daniel Jauregui
– New experiential Australian work The 7 Beads of My Indigenous Necklace
– Vibrant music and dance performances
– Mexican Wrestling Fiesta in Cube 37 with Mariachis and dancing Señoritas
– Interactive workshops and kid’s activities
– Stay to salsa, cumbia and tango until late with The New Monos and more.

Do not miss this free unique cultural event for the entire family!

The post Ventana Carnaval & Grand Opening 2019 appeared first on Love the Peninsula.