The new Empire Hotel impresses in all its offerings. The main bar offers a great selection of cocktails, good local wines by the glass and a fine selection of beer and ciders. The bar food offered is tasty and varied. But the best bit is the downstairs restaurant. Great local produce, offered up in creative and tasty dishes. We had kingfish tartare and beef tataki as entrees, with duck confit and porkbelly for our main courses. All dishes were delightful, but I have to give a special mention for the red cabbage accompanying the pork belly. A slaw, it had been macerated in cherries ( I think). Dressing had flavours of ginger and sesame. Yum! Shared the berry trifle, simply because it looked so good when it was presented at another table. It did not disappoint! Fruity, tangy, creamy, sweet, crunchy, every mouthful different combinations of flavours. The wine list is very well presented as well. The first part is dedicated to local wines, and you really do not need to go past this, as the region produces some very fine wines. This new venue is a great addition to Beechworth's dining options.