Just don't expect to see spaghetti bolognaise on the menu.

You will, however, find wasabi-infused flying fish roe.

The Restaurant and Catering Association of NSW recently named The Olde Bakehouse as a finalist in the new restaurant category of its NSW Regional Restaurant Awards.

Owner Jess Lawrence acquired the business in August last year.

She said she was "stoked" that the venture had been judged one of the best eight new restaurants in regional NSW.

She was quick to praise innovative chef Daniel Way.

"Dan is the one who works the magic - we wouldn't be where we are today without him," she said.

"Dan isn't scared to take a chance so we've gone left-field and tried to push the boundaries."

She said diners enjoyed the restaurant's new variations on classic Italian dishes.

And the desserts were always a talking point.

"We do desserts like a chocolate beetroot brownie with caramel injections," Ms Lawrence said.

There's also a "smoking cigar" - a chocolate dessert that looks alight as it arrives at the table.

"Dan's new dessert is a 'Hit Me' - think of a brulee inside a chocolate-encased dome which you hit with a spoon to crack open."

Ms Lawrence, a veteran of 10 years in hospitality, said she brought a simple philosophy to the restaurant.

"We want to give people only top quality, fresh, homemade food," she said.

"So we make everything that we can from scratch here on the premises, including our pastas, sauces, gravies and desserts."

Diners had also welcomed the expanded wine list and faster table service, she said.

Evidently the formula is working.

"I'd suggest booking with us a week in advance, especially for weekends."

■ The best new regional restaurant category was won by Levelone @ Harbourfront, Wollongong.