New Neerim South restaurant and bar Neeri Nuff wasted no time in making an impact as it was recently awarded a hat by the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG).

Neeri Nuff - the brainchild of locals Bruce and Margaret MacDougall opened in October - but is already gaining a reputation for its modern menu with a focus on local produce.
The AGFG was founded in 1977 and following two years of comprehensive research and compilation it released Australia's first national restaurant, accommodation and travel guide in 1979. In the intervening years the AGFG has gained a reputation as Australia's most respected rating authority and since the launch of its website (agfg.com.au), its popularity has grown markedly.
The AFGF's review of Neeri Nuff included the following comments:
"A stylish vibe of dark teal walls, banquette seating at marble-topped tables and seductive overhead pendant lights sets the mood for romantic rendezvous, family celebrations or after-work catch ups."
"From a menu showcasing the best of Gippsland produce coupled with a broad wine selection, begin with small plates of torched scallops, fermented chilli butter and spring onion, or smoked trout on a brown butter crumpet with fennel jam. For the main, think confit Atlantic salmon, yeast beurre blanc, pickled grapes and a mixed leaf salad on the side with radish and pickled red onion; finish with garden berry souffle, ice cream and candied nuts."
Neeri Nuff is committed to supporting small, local producers and wine makers which is represented in its menu and head chef, Connor Turnbull has had experience working in Melbourne institutions Vue De Monde and Society.
Margaret said the team's initial reaction to the award was "disbelief."
"We hadn't checked the (award) announcements because they come out in January and we'd only been open for three months, so why would we look," she said.
It wasn't until a conversation with some customers that they realised they had been awarded the prestigious accolade.
"They said "you must be so happy" and I said "about what?"," Margaret said. "Then they told us and I didn't believe them. Even though I've checked all the websites and could see that we had a hat, I didn't believe it until I got to speak to someone from the Australian Good Food Guide."
"It was always our aim to achieve something spectacular for Neerim South, we always wanted it to be special," she said. "But to see that sort of recognition so quickly, and for Connor to get that recognition as well is just great."
"Bruce and I hate the word 'surreal', we think it's one of the most overused words in the English language, but (when we found out) we were both looking at each other going wow this is surreal!"
Margaret said to be in the company of fellow Gippsland hat winning restaurants - Hogget Kitchen in Warragul, Sardine Dining in Paynesville and the Tinamba Hotel – was "a real honour".
She said the team had no idea who their reviewer was or when they dined at the restaurant.
"There's an anonymous inspector, they have specific criteria that they look at using a point system, then they tally it up and send it into the Australian Good Food Guide," Margaret said.
Restaurants are judged on six main criteria: ingredients; taste; presentation; technique; value and consistency.
Each restaurant is scored out of 20 points, though no one has ever achieved a perfect score. Neeri Nuff scored a total of 13 points.
"I can't wait for the hat sticker to arrive so I can slap it on the door!" Margaret said.