Unwind - Bunbury

On the way to Margaret River, we normally go to some winery restaurants for lunch, but unfortunately the ones we wanted to go are closed for winter months. We decided to try Unwind restaurant in Bunbury. The restaurant is located inside the Lord Forest Hotel, the restaurant and the bar area must be newly upgraded, the playfully used colors, material and texture of fabrics in the design make the place look modern, funky and inviting. However, it’s very quiet at the time we were there, apart from us there are only 3 other guests dining. The waiter is quite pleasant, the food arrived in a timely manner. We ordered seafood plater for two, the serve was huge. There are grilled scallops, prawns, octopus, beer buttered fish (4 pieces), chef’s salad & chunky chips. Apart from the octopus a bit over-cooked, the rest of the food were cooked nicely. It’s nothing fancy, but honest, well cooked Aussie seafood.

A lot has changed since I last ate here. For one, ownership or management of the hotel. It used to be called the Quality Hotel Lord Forrest but is now called Hotel Lord Forrest. The restaurant inside the hotel lobby is now called Unwind.When I ate here years ago, the food was awful, very basic and at a high price. I was reluctant to come back even after change of management as I expected the same.However, last night I was pleasantly surprised by the really good food. I also liked the décor, how it's been revamped. A lot of nice chairs and lounge seating particularly in the bar area. The hotel atrium still looks the same with the dated vines/leaves hanging from each floor level. They need to pull those vines out and update with a fresh, modern look.The restaurant is alongside the pool and has a nice atmosphere. It's always pleasant to look at water and hear the sounds of fountains nearby too. Piped relaxing music is played in the background. Ambience is created with low lighting in the restaurant. However, the menu is written in such small font that it is almost impossible to read.I had the tenderloin steak with prawns. I'm not sure if it was described as reef n beef as I couldn't see the menu clearly. Regardless, it was one of the best pieces of steak I've ever eaten anywhere in my life. It was very tender and cooked to perfection, medium rare. It was perhaps seasoned too well, a little on the too salty side. The wilted broccolini was nice and colourful. The mashed potato was barely there, perhaps some diluted thin mash spread sparingly as a garnish. The sauce was nice. The prawns were delicious, I wished there were more than two. They were also cooked to perfection. I didn't really like the presentation of the dried thyme sprigs on top as a garnish. Just looked like some sticks you had to remove before eating. There were four strategically placed cherry tomatoes around the steak. They could have done with a little more cooking or browning. It looked a bit contrived and amateurish in presentation.My friend had a steak and it looked like some boiled potatoes with it and the same broccolini accompaniment, with dried thyme sprigs scattered on top and the same four piece cherry tomato moat presentation. Something you could do at home but it's always nice to go out.The garlic bread entrée was tasty.Toasted at the top but not cooked underneath the bread which was unusual. I really liked the panacotta dessert. I thought I'd read it came with a strawberry couli but there were only sliced strawberries with it and some passionfruit pulp poured over it. The panacotta was perfect. Nice and wobbly. Delicious. Yummy and creamy. I can replicate this at home, it's an easy dessert to make but always looks classy and tastes nice. They could have left off the wafer. I expected it to be crunchy but it was soft and sickly sweet. You know, like when there's no sweets in the house and you have a sugar craving so go get a bowl of dried cereal that turns out stale. That's how the wafer tasted. Soft, stale and disappointing.The drink selection is great, well they have a bar so that's to be expected.Overall, it was a pleasant evening and the majority of the food was cooked perfectly with average sized serves and reasonably priced.Our waitperson was named Ross and he was pleasant and obliging.I think the hotel could do with advertising the restaurant as many locals may be reluctant to go thinking it is still under the old management. They've certainly picked up their game and it's right up there now with the best in town.

We had heard there is a new chef and decided to try it. This is my new favourite restaurant! The food is now high end quality with both flavours and presentation, everything was cooked to perfection. The service was second to none. The price is very reasonable, I was actually quite surprised when I received the bill, much less than I expected. Very impressed!

We considered three local restaurants tonight... and finally chose the Lord Forrest... probably to unwind by the pool. Good choice. Our garlic bread entree took a while (a little too long) and the Deakin shiraz wouldn't have been my first choice (wine list a little limited?); but the Seafood Platter for two was first rate. Not great fans of oysters, we asked for a doubling of salt'n'pepper squid instead and were kindly obliged. This truly was a seafood feast...Service was attentive. Major value given our Entertainment Book card discount. We were a little surprised the restaurant wasn't packed... .

Food was average, staff were excellent and flexible. Great for parents with kids as adults can sit and eat with kids easily wandering around the ground floor with small pool table and pool area to keep them entertained.