Despite being based in the UK, beloved cooking guru Nigella Lawson is a regular visitor to Australian shores. Not only does she pop around on occasion to host rather acclaimed talks with fans, and to be a part of one the country’s biggest cooking TV shows, but it seems she’s also simply a fan of a sojourn to the sunburnt country for a spot of dining.

It’s on one of these said eating expeditions that Lawson may well have discovered her favourite restaurant in Australia, or so says Instagram. On January 15, Lawson shared her acclaim for the Mornington Peninsula’s Rare Hare to all of her 1.5 million followers on Instagram.

Visiting on her own merit, the celebrity cook and food writer made her way to Jackalope Hotel’s casual dining offering on the Mornington Peninsula. It was a return visit for Lawson, who first ate at Rare Hare in January 2018 and exclaimed her love for the venue’s sardine and preserved lemon dish even then.

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Sardines, preserved lemons, sourdough toast: simple and perfect. One of many plates of deliciousness at @rareharewine, @jackalopehotels Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne. Heaven. #rarehare #jackalope #morningtonpeninsula #melbourne #australia

A post shared by Nigella (@nigellalawson) on Jan 17, 2018 at 10:36pm PST

But it was during a second visit, and the accompanying rosé-fuelled nine-course feast, that Lawson found true nirvana. She proceeded to walk her fans through her meal, dish by dish.

“Ever since I had the fresh sardines and preserved lemon on toast at @rareharewine last year, I’ve been longing to go back for more, and I’m very happy to say I managed that most gratifyingly yesterday. It was a wonderful, long Rosé-wine filled Summer Sunday lunch. Highlights as follows: 1) said sardines, obviously; 2) the most extraordinarily good tomatoes with stracciatella, also on toast; beetroot muhummara (think deep-toned dip) with red chicory/witlof; 4) beautiful charcuterie; 5)cured kingfish with celery, buttermilk and pickled cucumber; 6) charred aubergine/eggplant with red miso, furikake, chilli and coriander; 7) crispy waffles with horseradish cream, salmon roe and chives; 8) broccoli with buckwheat and capers; and 9) deep fried barramundi wings with almond skordalia and nduja butter. Glory be!”

View this post on Instagram

Ever since I had the fresh sardines and preserved lemon on toast at @rareharewine last year, I’ve been longing to go back for more, and I’m very happy to say I managed that most gratifyingly yesterday. It was a wonderful, long Rosé-wine filled Summer Sunday lunch. Highlights as follows: 1) said sardines, obviously;2) the most extraordinarily good tomatoes with stracciatella, also on toast; beetroot muhummara (think deep-toned dip) with red chicory/witlof;4) beautiful charcuterie; 5)cured kingfish with with celery, buttermilk and pickled cucumber; 6) charred aubergine/eggplant with red miso, furikake, chilli and coriander; 7) crispy waffles with horseradish cream, salmon roe and chives; 8) broccoli with buckwheat and capers; and 9) deep fried barramundi wings with almond skordalia and nduja butter. Glory be! #rarehare #morningtonpeninsula #melbourne #foodim

A post shared by Nigella (@nigellalawson) on Jan 13, 2019 at 11:39pm PST

While Rare Hare and Jackalope are no strangers to an award or two, we’re sure that even the highest of industry accolades can’t compare to the domestic goddess’ tick of approval.

If you want to make like Lawson and head to the Mornington, here is our pick of the district’s 5 most unmissable venues.