BILTON’S – the RESTAURANT
Claremont House, a stunning Victorian Italianate mansion set on five acres with commanding views over the River Derwent, Coign and Mt. Wellington, has hosted some of the state’s most lavish events for society’s elite since the mid-19th century. One of Tasmania’s most significant and valuable homes, the property is listed on the Register of National Estates and by National Trust.
Bilton’sis set in the original rooms of the c1830 farmhouse. The dining rooms of the restaurant have been meticulously restored and provide the ideal setting for a truly unique culturally integrated dining experience. The Tasmanian centric menu proudly supports local pastoral farmers, market gardeners and sustainable seafood suppliers. The constantly evolving menu design utilises the best in seasonal local produce and draws inspiration from the property’s simple beginnings as a Leicester sheep farm.
We hope you enjoy your dining experience with us at Bilton’s. Your feedback is extremely valuable in assisting us to develop and grow.
Thank you and I look forward to hosting your visit.
Joel Van Sanden
Owner since 2007
Breakfast – available until midday
Porridge with local oats, spiced poached pear, double cream,7
cardamom syrupwalnuts (V/GF)
Fried bacon & eggs the way you like on crustybread withroasted 9
tomato
Poached eggs with Hollandaise, double smoked ham buttered 15
spinach on English muffins withroasted tomato& mushrooms (GFA)
Sunny fried eggs, two pork sausages and house made sweet &17
spicybaked beans on grilledcheese bread (GFA)
Perfectly cooked scrambledeggs with smoked salmon & avocado18
with roasted tomatoes and mushrooms on artisan bread (GFA)
Bilton’s - Fried bacon, pork sausage, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms,22
spicybaked beans,haloumi,potato pattytwo eggs (poached)
on crusty bread (GFA)
Brunch – available all day
Rustic thick cut fries with roasted garlic aioli6
Roast vegetable soup served with grilledcheese bread10
Picnic for two – King Island brie, Ashgrove aged cheddar and 35
Mr Bennett’s blue, fresh seasonal fruit, quince paste and nuts with
toasted Turkish bread. Add a bottle of Derwent Estate Pinot Gris35
GFA Gluten free bread available add2
Lunch – available after midday
Roasted cauliflower, potato and green pea curry with coconut 21
saffron, jasmine rice, yoghurt raita and pappadum (V/GF)
Bilton’s burger - seasoned Derwent Valley lamb, bacon, red onion, 19
lettuce, tomato,yoghurt & beetrootrelish on Artisan bread served
with rustic fries
Steamed free range chicken, Cos lettuce, red onionchickpeacroutons17
anchovy, bacon, parmesan &Caesar dressing with soft poached egg (GF)
Crispy pork belly, chilli cherry glaze and red apple slaw (GF)25
Parsley & parmesan crumbed local fish, tartare, thick cut fries, 22
fresh greenswith apple cider vinaigrette
Sausage & chorizo goulash, sour cream,mash with bacon and 24
brussel sprout salad
Slow cooked lamb &seasonal vegetable croquettes with spiced 18
yoghurt and salsa verde and fresh green salad
Aromatic Asian style chilli & lemon mint salad with rare Cape Grim 24
scotch fillet,cucumber, coriander, fresh greens &chopped peanuts (GF)
Sesame crusted Atlantic salmon with pickled ginger & soy, lemon 27
butteredasparagus&grapefruit salad (GF)
Five spiced duck breast with grilled balsamic BeurreBosc, walnut32
blue cheese salad (GF)
Tour & Afternoon Tea (Bookings Essential)35
For the first century of its life, Claremont House c1830 was owned by wealthy and powerful aristocratic families. Claremont House was a grand mansion, located on top of a hill looking down on its surrounding 734 acres of land.
In 1940, the property passed into public ownership and became a convalescent hospital during the war and later a rehabilitation centre for returned servicemen and the general community. Adult education occupied the property in later years, when increasing maintenance costs caused relinquish of the building and a demolition order was passed to facilitate sale into private ownership.Claremont House had
been condemned and was to become another historic building lost forever.
Hear the story of Claremont House, the lives of the owners and their domestic servants. Tours of the Victorian mansion and heritage listed gardens are complimented with an afternoon tea buffet. They operate Saturday & Sunday between 2-5pm and most dietary requirements can be catered for. Private bookings can be organised for 15 – 50 guests. The buffet includes a selection of teas and coffee served with
Classic butter scones with Chantilly cream and raspberry jam
Strawberry shortcake shortbread
ANZAC, lemon and rocky road slice
Cream cheese fruit flan
Baked chocolate tart
Meringues
Soup of the day
Selection of savoury sandwiches (curried egg, chicken and smoked salmon)
Gourmet sausage rolls
Bilton’s Treats
See our wonderful staff for today’s biscuit & cake specials
SlicesANZAC, lemon and rocky road 3.5
SconesClassic butter scones served with Chantilly cream 6.5
& raspberry jam
CakesSee staff for daily selection, served with cream or7.5
ice-cream
SmoothiesSpiced poached pear, marmalade, or mixed berry5
MilkshakesChocolate, vanilla, chai or iced coffee 5
Coffees3.5
Cappuccino, Café Latte, Flat White, Long Black, Espresso, Macchiato
Tea Pot3.5
English breakfast, Earl Grey, Green, Peppermint, Chamomile, Chai
Hot Chocolate or Chai Latte (Mug)4
Sparkling mineral water3
Soft drinks3
Lemon, lime & bitters3.5
Juices 3.5
Beverages
Sparkling
CuveeNV42 Degrees South940
White
Sauvignon Blanc2014Storm Bay835
Chardonnay2011Storm Bay835
Riesling (FGR)2014 Frogmore Creek940
Pinot Gris2015 Derwent Estate940
Red
Cabernet Merlot2010Storm Bay835
Pinot Noir201442 Degrees South940
Pinot Noir2013Derwent Estate45
Cabernet Sauvignon2012Frogmore Creek 940
Dessert
Iced Riesling (375ml)2014Frogmore Creek835
Cascade Brewery Co. 1824 Australia’s Oldest Brewery
Cascade Premium Light2.6% 3.5
Cascade Draught4.7% 4
Cascade Lager4.7% 4
Cascade Pale Ale5.0% 4.5
Cascade Stout5.8% 4.5
Mercury c1911 Apple Cider100% Tasmanian apples
Mercury Sweet5.2% 4
Mercury Draught5.2% 4
Mercury Dry5.2% 4
BILTON’S –the history
Henry James Biltonwas born in Middlesex, England on July 14, 1798 to parents William and Ann Bilton (nee Robinson). He married Ann Ricketts on May 25, 1822 at St Mary Le-Bow in Cheapside, London. Suffering ill health in 1824, he endured a 7 month sea voyage to Van Dieman’s land with his wife and landed in Sullivan’s Covein 1825. He quickly took up land around the colony. The sea voyage had taken toll on his health and he was not expected to live long. In 1826 he purchased 93 acres of land granted to John Pascoe Fawkner Jnr. in 1813.
That most valuable farm, the property of John Fawkner jnr. conveniently situated near the New Road leading to New Norfolk from Hobart Town and adjoining the Farm of Mr J Faulkner, snr. in the district of Glenorchy. It consists of 93 acres of Land; 5 of which are cleared, and have been in Cultivation. This farm is well worth the Attention of Persons settling in the Colony, being convenient to land and water carriage and near a run of good water.
Hobart Town Gazette, p2 December 4, 1819
Early 1830’s it is believed that Bilton constructed a two storey four room farm house and named it Claremont House after the summer home of Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales (Claremont House Surrey, England). The translation of the name Claremont means ‘gentle mountain’
Bilton used the land for its convenience to his business interests in Hobart town and pastoral interests in the north and south of the state. Biltonwas the first to import Leicester sheep to the colony was a member of the Political Association in 1835. Elected to Glenorchy’s first council in 1864, he was warden of the Glenorchy council from 1868 to 1874.
Bilton was living on the property from the late 1830’s. By this time he had built many structures and in the 1848 census, it is recorded that he lived in a rendered brick house with a household of 14 which included 3 convicts and 1 ticket-of-leave holder.By 1858, Bilton had increased the land holding of Claremont House to 350 acres with a property value of 180 pounds, making it one of the most valuable estates in Hobart town. In 1889, Bilton died of cancer at the age of 91. He had no children and the 734 acre property was to be subdivided and sold.
The Colonist, p23 Saturday 13 April, 1889
The ground front windows and much of the upstairs rooms are from the original fabric of the c1830 home. Within the roof cavity, areas of the original timber shingles remain. The external fabric is a rendered struck joint brick to resemble stone.
One of the most charming and spots for a gentleman’s residence in and around Hobart, commanding, as it does, a magnificent and extensive view of the River Derwent, from the Elwick Racecourse to Bridgewater, and the hills from Mount Direction to the Dromedary, including the Coign, Constitution Hill and table Mountain in the distance, as also the agricultural districts of Old beach, green Point, Brighton, etc.…all cedar fittings inside, exclusive of ballroom, two kitchens, pantry, storeroom, besides workshops, large barn, six stall stable , hay loft, coach house, meat house, shearing sheds, cowshed, men’s hut, etc. there is also a productive garden of about two acres.
The Mercury, p3, December 16, 1889
Claremont House as it was originally constructed
At auction, all separate lots of land were bought by Frank Bond, a bark merchant and Parliamentarian at a value of 326 pounds