QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

King Ludwig’s of Maleny It was a tough ask, but Delphine Rouessart agreed to visit this iconic establishment (with views over the ‘Klaus Haus Mountains’) and describe one of Southeast Queensland’s most German dining experiences.

As we sat down, a New Zealand couple at the next table advised us to try the potato soup, the restaurant’s signature dish. The restaurant, unlike many, offers small or large servings of most of their dishes; great for trying something different, which I did. Although not a favourite of mine, since it was the signature dish, I decided to try it, and here the option of a small portion helped win over this diner. It was delicious and the last minute addition of parsley and finely shredded chives was a delight. It was, as the Kiwis put it “worth coming back for!” My partner (he who hates lentils) thoroughly enjoyed the soup of the day – which was lentils and barley! For mains I tried the special, the cabbage leaf wrapped around a delicious minced meat mix, and my partner chose the Barramundi with polenta, which he found worthy of his undivided and silent attention. Our confidence in the dishes led us to have a dessert each. Too often desserts are not made in house and can disappoint. I chose a choux pastry filled with berries, and he the apple strudel and icecream. Both pastries were beautiful, mine feather-light and dusted with icing sugar which was a confection in itself. The service was extremely efficient but, as we had arrived in the latter part of lunch time we (with the Kiwi couple and their two guests) were the last to leave.At the end of the meal we were joined by Klaus, the owner/chef (only supervising that day) for a chat while finishing the wine and desserts. Klaus came from Germany via Windhoek, Cape Town and Durban and clearly is a host who enjoys his guests. We would have liked to have stayed to enjoy more of his company but had to leave him chatting with the Kiwis, who return to the restaurant every year during their annual sojourn in Queensland, and who were assuring him they would be back for the potato soup during their next visit.

I was expecting a dark, low-ceilinged, heavily beamed restaurant, with walls covered with flags and other emblems of German life. Instead, although there was plenty of wood in evidence from the soaring cathedral ceiling to the tables and pews on the verandahs, the one interior wall of corrugated iron, and the view of the Glass House Mountains from almost every table, clearly put this hostelry in Queensland. It seemed appropriate, given King Ludwig II’s interest in the architecture of other countries and his interpretation of it in his fantasy castles, to see the melding of iconic Queensland materials with the beer steins and stags on the wall. The staff in traditional dress, the stuffed deer, the wood and wrought iron tables and the surrounding views of the tops of thick native bush made it feel more like a hunting lodge than a restaurant. The building began life as a large private home, but during the 17 years of its current incarnation as a restaurant it has been extended, and now dining extends not only to all the verandahs but also a separate bar area. It is here that two small photographs on the wall give a glimpse of the heritage of the owners. One depicts beer barrel building, an occupation of one grandparent. A small leaflet at the front door announced a forthcoming “beer degustation evening” and advice that places were limited, but all my fears that a glass of wine might be frowned upon vanished as we entered and noticed most patrons having a glass with lunch. The wine list gave choices of wines of the world. We opted for whites and had a choice of Margaret River, Marlborough or an Italian grigio (amongst others), but elected, appropriately, one of the German whites. A good choice with an unexpected crisp finish.

Stunning views of the ‘Klaus Haus Mountains’ await diners on the verandah at King Ludwig’s. Image courtesy Delphine Rouessart

kingludwigs.com.au

214