Tasmania - Australia 2004 - page 630

191 Charles St., Launceston, TAS 7250. & 03/6331 7355. Fax [phone]. www.saloon.com.au. 25 units.
A$64 (US$42) double. Extra person A$19 (US$12). Rates include continental breakfast. AE, MC, V. Free on-
street parking. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room:TV, fridge, coffeemaker.
Lloyd's Hotel This older-style centrally located property offers comfortable
lodging at a modest budget. It underwent a change of hands in 2002, and by
some reports has lost some of its friendly feel. It was getting a bit grubby, so the
refurbishment in 2001 was welcome. Best to spend a little more on the Hotel
Tasmania above in my opinion.
23 George St., Launceston, TAS 7250. & 03/6331 4966. Fax [phone] units (some with shower
only). A$54 (US$35) double. Extra person A$20 (US$13). Rates include full breakfast. MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities: Coin-op laundry; nonsmoking rooms. In room:TV, fridge, coffeemaker.
WHERE TO DINE
You'll find most places to eat in Launceston don't have a fixed closing time;
rather, they close up shop when the last customer has been served and has eaten.
EXPENSIVE
Fee & Me Restaurant MODERN AUSTRALIAN What is perhaps
Launceston's best restaurant is found in a grand old mansion. The menu is struc-
tured so that diners choose a selection from five categories, each one moving from
light to rich. An extensive wine list has been designed to complement selections
for each course. A five-course meal could go something like this: Tasmanian
smoked salmon with salad, capers, and a soft poached egg; followed by chile oys-
ters with a coconut sauce and vermicelli noodles; then ricotta and goat cheese
gnocchi with creamed tomato and red capsicum; followed by Asian-style duck on
bok choy with a citrus sauce; topped off with a coffee and chicory soufflé. The
dishes change frequently, so you never know what you might find.
Corner of Charles and Frederick sts. & 03/6331 3195. Reservations recommended. A$42 (US$27) for 3 courses,
A$48 (US$31) for 4 courses, A$50 (US$33) for 5 courses. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 7-10:30pm.
MODERATE
O'Keefe's Hotel ASIAN/TASMANIAN This pub-based eatery earns high
praise for its variety of well-prepared dishes. You can choose between such deli-
cacies as Thai curry and laksa, seafood dishes such as scallops, prawns, and sushi,
and plenty of pastas and grills. There's also a range of good salads.
124 George St. & 03/6331 4015. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$11-A$25 (US$7-US$16).
AE, MC, V. Daily 11am-2am.
Shrimps SEAFOOD Come here for the best selection of seafood in
Launceston. Built in 1824 by convict labor, it has a classic Georgian exterior.
Tables are small and well spaced, and the best meals are off the blackboard
menu, which generally includes at least eight fish dishes. Usually available are
wonderful Tasmanian mussels, whitebait, Thai-style fish cakes, and freshly split
oysters. Everything is very fresh and seasonal.
72 George St. (at the corner of Paterson St.). & 03/6334 0584. Reservations recommended. Main courses
A$14-A$19 (US$9.10-US$12). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat noon-2pm and 6:30-10pm.
Star Bar Cafe MEDITERRANEAN Many consider this Tasmania's best
bistro. It offers a range of dishes, such as mee goreng, beets, and quail risotto;
grilled octopus, steaks, and chicken livers; and pizzas and breads cooked in the
wood-fired oven. In winter, guests congregate around a large open fire.
113 Charles St. & 03/6331 9659. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$12-A$20 (US$6.80-US$11).
AE, MC, V. Mon-Wed 11am-11pm; Thurs-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun noon-10pm.