OATLANDS House is close and convenient to Parramatta, yet you would be forgiven for forgetting where you were given the greenery that surrounds it.

Oatlands House sits next to Oatlands golf course. Your first impression of the elegance of the venue is the entrance, which sees the driveway lead you alongside the fairway of one of the holes until you reach the parking lot.

Then you walk across the loose pebbles and past the carefully manicured gardens into a grand sandstone cottage.

Oatlands House was built in the 1800s, and plenty of care has been taken to blend that heritage feel with style.

The restaurant maintains that atmosphere with sandstone walls, a lavish bar and wine rack, as well as a sunroom complemented by large glass windows.

We started our meal with an entree of bruschetta ($6). While it’s hard to go wrong with this tried and tested starter, the thick slice of ciabatta bread was char grilled and ensured a solid opening.

Then it was on to the main course, the barbecue lamb cutlets ($26).

These were served with mint and cashew pesto, and chat potatoes.

The cutlets were small, but what they lacked in size they made up for in flavour. These had to be the most tender and juicy pieces of lamb we’ve tried on the dining scene in Parramatta.

The mint and cashew pesto was a generous serve that we made the most of to add flavour.

This should prove a popular choice during summer as it won’t weigh you down.

While we ordered from the menu, many diners on our visit were enjoying the seafood buffet ($38.50). This offers prawns, salmon, crab, oysters and desserts, and is available on weekends.

Other dishes worth a try on the menu include chargrilled snapper fillet ($25) and fettuccine tossed with garlic tiger prawns ($18).

Details: Oatlands House is at 42 Bettington Rd, Oatlands, and is open for breakfast from Tuesday to Sunday (9am to 12pm), lunch from Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 3pm) and dinner Friday to Saturday (6pm to 10pm). Inquiries: 9683 3355.