“98 chairs opened in November 2013 at 98 Auburn Street (the southern end) and is literally, or should I say structurally, a showcase of local history,” said owner and Chef Steven Walker

The fit out is an impressive show of wood stone and glass.

The floors are made from old railway sleepers cut to 19mm boards and polished red gum, ironbark and yellow box.

“It look is great!”

“We've all seen the piles of sleepers near railway tracks, most being sold off for firewood or landscaping. “These sleepers make the floor at the restaurant quite unique and about fifty per cent are from the local area, the rest from as far away as Broken Hill.

Theres is lovely wood on the bar and kitchen tops sourced from the old Rossi Bridge on Range road.

Over 100 years old are the six metre beams which were cut and polished and brought back to life.

The same wood is used in the back garden, rear deck and rear fence, quite impressive too.

Steve Walker and Deborah Gabelle (chef and waitress) own and built 98 chairs taking 14 months doing most of the finer work themselves.

“We were offered lots of cheap and easy alternatives,” said Deb “but we stuck to our guns.”

“It’s all original and genuine.”

Deb and Steve live in Gundary with their two daughters Izabella and Cerise.

“That’s why we don't open Sundays says Steve, "It’s play day."

‘That’s the deal we made in the beginning.

“We grow a lot on our farm and all the restaurant scraps are put into the compost.

“We buy as much produce as possible locally, there’s so much good produce about and Farmer Feld is always keeping us informed for each menu.

The menu changes every season and that keeps it interesting for everyone, staff and customers included.

“It might seem a bit of work but we’re governed by what’s available and what’s available is the bones of each menu.

“We just use our knowledge and some fun to finish it of.

Here is some facts:

98 Chairs is fully licenced for 150 comfortably seated inside and 80 good outdoor seating in the back yard. Children and functions including weddings and corporate functions catered for.

great spotted gum tables on is 5 meters long sits 21 adults, available for weddings engagements 21st etc, Disability access and arguably the best restaurant restrooms anywhere.

They cater lunch Wednesday to Saturday and dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Menus and heaps of information and cool pics at 98chairs.com

Editors note:

I recently popped in for a late bite to eat. I had the goats cheese, walnut, prosciutto and beetroot salad - yum.

I also tried the kipfler potato chips, actually real potato, some fried cauliflower with mint spiced roasted almonds and dried cranberries and it was probably the best cauliflower I’ve had.

Deb’s happy smile and sound knowledge of local wines and interesting cocktails including the favourite, fluffy navel, and the world in general, from a dressage restauranters point of view, made my night all the more enjoyable, I like it and fully recommend a visit.