With its white-clothed candle-lit tables and air-conditioning, Tamarind, the in-house restaurant at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, is an oasis in the bustling Cairns CBD. The décor is hotel plush with carpets, comfy armchair-like seating and the service, led by a jacketed maitre’d, is knowledgeable, warm and attentive.

The food has a strong Asian accent and a commitment to regional produce where possible, with the menu highlighting some of the key suppliers. The Tamarind taster plate with salmon cured with Mt Uncle Botanic gin (from the Atherton Tablelands); citrus-infused tuna and a pan-seared scallop with butternut anglaise, is a decent starter. Mains might be succulent organic Tablelands pork belly with crackling, a pork croquette, spicy plum sauce, bok choy and sugar snap peas, or a beautifully rich Penang duck curry, with caramelised pumpkin, roasted peanuts and chilli.

The wine list has a hefty haul of Penfolds, Champagnes and mainly big name Australian and New Zealand wines, with plenty of by-the-glasses that are poured at the table. Desserts are large and best shared: the airy cassava pudding comes with caramelised palm sugar sauce, caramelised banana and a replica half coconut fashioned from chocolate and lined with coconut gelato.

Must-eat dish: Penang duck curry