Some of us getting put off by a restaurant’s name thinking it will be too ‘hoity toity’ and super expensive, but we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover as I found out.

It was my daughter, Courtney’s official graduation from university recently and as she passed with a distinction we decided to make it a very special time and Courtney requested going to a restaurant that matched the occasion.  Our plan was to finish the ceremony at QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre) and head over to dinner at Aria, a restaurant we wouldn’t normally choose to just go out to dinner.

When Aria called to confirm our booking a couple of days beforehand, I happened to mention that we would definitely all be there as it was my daughter’s graduation that day, hence the dinner. The woman who rang said to make sure my daughter ordered dessert, so when her Black Forrest cake came out on a plate with ‘Congratulations’ written in chocolate was not an unexpected surprise to me, but a delightful addition for her.

What I, or anyone else in our party for that matter, wasn’t expecting was that from the moment we walked in all the staff that we dealt with, from the maitre d’ to the wait staff, congratulated my daughter. After graduating my daughter was on cloud nine, as were we all, and it was an unexpected pleasure to receive these extra accolades.

I expected the magnificent food and everyone raved about their food choices, snapper, lamb and rib fillet. Personally I thought that the pick was my main course of duck - roast breast with duck pastilla, spiced pears and a witlof and raisin salad. The simplicity of the dish emphasised the complexity of flavours superbly. The desserts were divinely sinful; I practically inhaled my delicious Banoffe (banana brûlée with caramel, almond praline and toasted almond milk ice cream) and started eyeing off the remainder of Stuart’s Expresso Soufflé. But it was the service that was extraordinary - especially with all the little touches, including the macaroons handed to us ladies on departure. When I compared the prices to Moo Moo or Jellyfish ( a couple of my favourite restaurants) the cost was about the same.

Not sure if it’s the time of year, but I do know that complaints are much easier to pass on than compliments, so I wanted to take the time to pass on this info in case you’ve thought of going to Aria and been put off for any reason.  Guest blogger Cheryl Menagh (QH production)

A great gift idea for the person who has everything (and loves food) is a gift certificate from Foodscape Tours of Byron Bay. Newly launched this year, the company specialises in food-based tours of Byron Bay where you can sample everything from gourmet coffee through to unusual local native produce. There are group tours by air-conditioned bus around the region or walking tours around downtown Byron Bay.

Sample the best of the region’s foods, enjoy the magnificent scenery and meet some great people at the same time. And if you have visitors from afar it’s a great way to show them just how beautiful this part of Australia is. Visit foodscapetours.com.au to plan a trip for yourself or buy some gift certificates for some very lucky people.