This fine-dining restaurant in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is made for special occasions. It doubles as a romantic dining room for the French Provincial-themed Clovelly Estate – a popular wedding venue and luxury retreat – but also opens to the public.

Diners choose from a two ($70) or three-course ($85) menu and it’s excellent value for the refined, artfully-plated food.

Amuse bouche of yabby tart in hollandaise and a cool tomato consommé set the scene for the must-try starter of octopus slow cooked for six-hours. Soft tentacles are finished off on a yakitori grill plated with chickpea puree and squid ink crisps.

Mains play it fairly safe in the rich and hearty roasted lamb loin and confit belly and braised leeks, dressed with bay leaf cream and dollops of burnt garlic reduction finished with fried leek leaves.

A lighter option is the crispy skin Kingfish with lemony cauliflower and raisin cous cous with caper leaves. The wonderful squares of lavender parfait sandwiches (served as an added extra before the desert of mulled wine poached pear) are so good they should be on the actual menu.

Staff are enthusiastic about the food and service is without fault. Go for lunch as the veranda tables overlook a picturesque manicured lawn shaded by jacarandas and fig trees.

Exceptional dish: Coal grilled octopus