| PITTWATER LIFE DINING GUIDE |
The best of Pittwater's restaurants, cafes and food suppliers
as advertised in PITTWATER Life. To advertise call 9974 1472
or email pitlife@ozemail.com.au
More Winter specials are on offer at local restaurants. Jonah’s has introduced a Winter Daily Set Menu for selected lunches and dinners. Dunes is planning a Winter special for August and the Palm Beach RSL Club is continuing its steak and half lobster deals. The Terrace on Pittwater at the Newport is continuing its midweek two-course special. Barrenjoey House re-introduces its popular Winter Hotpots.
Clareville Kiosk continues is special offer to celebrate 25 years of fine dining in this bijou timber cottage.
Click on a link below to go directly to a featured restaurant or food supplier. Otherwise, scroll down the page to browse!
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Restaurants, Cafés & Bistros |
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69 Bynya Rd, Whale Beach
Reservations: 9974 5599
Cuisine: modern Australian. Host: Sean Byrne, Chef George Francisco. Open Lunch and Dinner Wednesday–Sunday, Breakfast Thursday–Monday.
Fully licensed. Cards: all. Parking: car park.
Jonah’s has been awarded one ‘hat’ in the SMH Good Food Guide, only one of two restaurants to have one on the Northern Beaches. Jonah’s is a member of Relais & Chateaux, the most prestigious boutique hotel group in the world. Nominated for inclusion by the world-renowned chef Tetsuya Wakadu (a grand Chef Relais & Chateaux) Jonah’s is the only Relais & Chateaux property in NSW and one of only two in Australia.
Jonah’s has been established for 80 years in a secluded garden on a cliff 600 feet above Whale Beach with a spectacular view. The Balcony is a furnished open-air deck giving visitors the option of enjoying a glass of wine, cocktail or beer with a light tasting plate.
George Francisco is the chef with a background in fine dining restaurants. The restaurant has received a number of awards and is named by Gourmet Traveller magazine as one of the top 100 restaurants in Australia.
An extensive list of 250 wines includes 25 available by the glass and an exclusive collection of vintage Champagnes. Valet pick up and deliver for diners north of the Bends. Just give the staff 24 hours notice. Jonah’s also accommodates guests in eight luxurious rooms with private balconies and uninterrupted ocean views, king size beds and jacuzzis, plus another three in Jonah’s Private.
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Newport Arms Hotel
Kalinya St, Newport
Bookings: 9997 4900
Cuisine: creative fine dining, grill. Head chef: David Bell. Host: Lia Do. Open lunch 7 days, dinner Mon-Sat. Fully licensed. Cards: all. Parking: hotel car park, street.
The Terrace on Pittwater has been awarded not only the NSW Winner of the 2008 Restaurant & Catering Awards category of Restaurant in a Pub, Club or Tavern, but also the National Award in the same category. The hotel’s main restaurant has been in operation since 1937.
The Terrace aims to deliver innovative contemporary cuisine with the freshest produce direct from the markets including a broad selection of seafood, steaks and vegetarian choices. A popular new addition to the a la carte menu has been the focus on MSA graded quality steaks.
This restaurant is a luxurious space overlooking Pittwater through a great curve of folding glass doors which can be opened or closed matching wines.
Monthly wine dinners are a feature of the restaurant with a guest speaker
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1 Park St, Mona Vale
Bookings 9999 4483
Cuisine: Traditional Italian. Hosts Jeremy Drayton and Fabio Bertasio, Chef Mauro Palazzani. Open 7 days for breakfast & lunch, dinner Wed-Sat. Fully licensed and drink or dine authority, Sundays 10% surcharge. Cards V, MC. Wheelchair access. Parking: street.
The Inch is known as a popular meeting place in the middle of Mona Vale, overlooking the Village Park, with seating for 120. Takeaway coffee starts early from a window servery with fresh banana bread and cakes baking in the oven beyond.
The restaurant opens for breakfast and lunch every day, with a new wine bar Mini Bar open Wednesdays to Saturdays till late.
Fully licensed, The Inch is a place away from the bustle for a Campos organic coffee, lunch and wine by the glass or cold beer.
Sunday is a busy breakfast destination till midday, often followed by live music enjoyed with a lazy lunch or afternoon graze and a drink.
Menus by Chef Mauro Palazzani emphasise quality seasonal produce with daily blackboard specials, lots of wines by the glass and desserts freshly made in The Inch kitchen.
By night Mini Bar at The Inch (in association with Col Crawford Mini Garage) offers a wine bar atmostphere, with mini-plates of dinner and supper selections with cocktails, cold beer and wines by the glass and a kitchen open tilll late. On your way out for a night, on the way home or for a relaxed evening away from it all, drop in to Mini Bar.
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Palm Beach RSL
1087 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach
Phone: 9974 5566.
Hours: Open 7 days, lunch and dinner. Licensed. Parking: car parks.
At this popular RSL Club visitors are welcome in the bistro which is served by state-of-the-art kitchen facilities and top value meals. Guests may dine inside or in the spacious sunny garden.
The bistro is open for lunch and dinner every day, serving steaks, seafood, salads and pasta. Top value at $12 (incl. GST) are lunch and dinner specials every weekday. Kids are welcome in the garden and bistro with special meals.
All the Saturday sport and racing is shown on the big screen in the sports lounge.
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Governor Phillip Park
1193 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
Bookings: 9974 3332
Cuisine: Modern Australian. Host: Cathie Wright. Chef: Stefan Leibenatus. Licensed (BYO bottled wine only). Cards: M,V. Takeaway kiosk. Parking: street. Car sticker required for park entry.
Enjoy a morning walk in Governor Philip Park? Follow it with breakfast at Dunes Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am. Or come back for a light lunch Tuesday to Sunday or dinner Wednesday to Saturday.
Dunes restaurant and kiosk is located in a former ranger’s home among the lawns and trees of Governor Phillip Park.
It captures the Palm Beach atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating, set among lavender sprinkled gardens just metres from North Palm Beach, with sweeping views to the lighthouse. Interiors have been renovated using wood, sandstone and teak table settings to mirror the natural surrounds.
Chef/owner Stefan Leibenatus has been head chef in many restaurants in Sydney and brings to Dunes’ modern Australian menu a strong European cooking influence.
Dunes is a delightful location for a group booking such as a wedding, function or conference and catering is available. Dunes Kiosk offers quality takeaway food and drinks for breakfast and lunch 7 days.
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 46 Prince Alfred Parade, Newport
Bookings 9997 5511
Cuisine: International. Open every day. Fully licensed. Cards: all. Parking: Club carpark.
Some great specials are available at the Quarterdeck Brasserie at the Royal Motor Yacht Club which adjoins the Garden Forecourt where parents can enjoy dining inside or alfresco. Members can keep an eye from their tables on their children in the swimming pool (for members’ families only).
From Monday to Thursday the Brasserie offers children’s meals for only $6 plus an icecream cone.
The Brasserie also has mouth-watering Winter Warmer specials for $15 Monday to Wednesday, like rump steam with chips and salad, fresh fish and chips, soup and pasta combo, roast and curry to name a few.
For more information regarding membership of the Royal Motor Yacht Club or to make a booking call 9997 5511.
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332 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport
Bookings: 9997 4157
Cuisine: Chinese & Asian. Open Tues-Sun for dinner only. Also take away & home delivery service Whale Beach to Narrabeen (9997 8379). Licensed. Cards: all. Parking: street, car park.
The menu ranges from adventurous, like a Mongolian chicken hot pot, to contemporary, spicy salt and pepper whole flounder, to traditional like braised chicken and almonds/cashews or lemon chicken. There’s a big variety of entrees and soups, vegetarian options and sweet and sour dishes. Seafood is at market prices. Home delivery specials include extras with a minimum spend.
A spacious restaurant with attentive service, its large tables make it popular with families and groups. Takeaway meals, home delivery and available for private functions.
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1108 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach
Bookings: 9974 4001
Cuisine: Mediterranean. Open 7 days 11.30-late for lunch and dinner. Fully licensed, drink or dine authority. 10% surcharge Sun & public holidays. Cards: all. Parking: car park, street.
Since this venerable restaurant and guesthouse opened in 1923, Barrenjoey House opposite the Palm Beach ferry wharf overlooking Pittwater has been extensively renovated and restored as a restaurant and boutique getaway.
With seven first floor bedrooms Barrenjoey House is a popular venue for weddings or overnight stays. Gift vouchers available all year round.
Many locals treat the restaurant as their local club, dropping in for a drink, snack and game of chess or backgammon, even a book club evening. Small groups up to 12 can book Kylie’s Room, a private dining area.
Special entrees include deep fried Hawkesbury squid & King prawns, zucchini flowers, herb mayonnaise & lemon. For mains try Scampi, parsley, garlic, almond & Pernod butter, water cress & lemon. For dessert try Affogato – ice cream ‘drowned’ in espresso & Frangelico. The menu emphasises local produce with Sydney rocks and a new range of Pacific oysters from the Hawkesbury (all shucked in the kitchen).
With a drink or dine authority, a covered outdoor terrace bar and interior bar lounge the restaurant offers a variety of cocktails and a range of bottled and tap beers.
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4/120 Narrabeen Park Pde, Warriewood.
Phone 9979 9449.
Cuisine: Vietnamese. Host: Daniel Chang. Open 7 days for lunch & dinner. BYO. Eat in or take away. Free home delivery for orders over $35. Cards: All cards. Parking: street.
Vietnamese food is considered one of the finest of Asian cuisines which blends spices with delicate French touches. There is a wide variety on offer at this restaurant which also has ocean views.
A breakfast special is bacon and eggs with avocado. As well as entrees and soups, dishes include beef, chicken and duck, a range of curries, as well as vegetable, salad, noodles and rice dishes.
Try rice paper rolls (goi cuon) with chicken, prawns, vermicelli and Vietnamese mint, or stuffed chicken wings (canh ga nhoi thit), stuffed with Vietnamese herbs and spices. Mains include grilled chicken with fresh lime leaf (ga la chanh), beef scotch fillet stir fried with garlic and wine sauce and twice-cooked duck with ginger sauce.
A set banquet for four people includes mixed entree, fish, green curry chicken, stir fried beef, steamed vegetables and boiled rice, coffee or tea.
There are changing specials every week. One speciality is Shake Beef, beef scotch fillet stir fried with garlic and wine sauce and steamed vegetables.
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Notting Lane, Cottage Point
Phone: 9456 3024
Cuisine: gourmet café. Hosts: Geoff & Graham. BYO.
Drive to the end of the road at Cottage Point, or come by boat and tie up to the Kiosk pontoon. The Kiosk is a large heritage building (around 1918), on the busy waterfront with a wrap-around deck and terrace below, and a view of water, boats and bush. As this is a general store as well as a café, you can buy just about everything including kayak and boat hire, bait and tackle, ice, groceries and alcohol.
The café chefs produce morning or afternoon teas, home-cooked breakfast, lunch and weekly specials. It’s BYO - buy beer or wine at the liquor store.
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Level 1, 1775 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale.
Bookings 9999 2588.
Cuisine: Italian Romana. Host and Chef: Marco and Singh. Open Tues-Fri Lunch 12noon-3pm, Dinner Mon-Sat from 6pm. Fully licensed and BYO (wine only).Credit cards: All except Diners. Parking: street.
This award-winning Mona Vale restaurant offers classic Italian cuisine with modern influences and has been awarded as outstanding on the Northern Beaches.
The menu caters for a wide range of tastes from delicate fresh tuna carpaccio to Queensland scallops baked in whisky, mushrooms and cream. Seasonal entrees include fresh figs with Castello blue and stuffed zucchini flowers. Mains include a speciality double roasted duck with balsamic and honey reduction while pastas include crab and prawn ravioli.
With a seating capacity up to 120, functions are well catered for with set menus for group bookings of three courses. An outdoor covered terrace seats up to 35. Book now for your next functions.
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335 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport
Bookings: 9997 3450 or 9979 6447
Cuisine: Thai. Hosts: Barry & Dang Rhodes. Open for dinner 7 nights, Lunch Tues, Fri & Sat. Takeaway & home delivery with 12.5% discount for pick up at restaurant (home delivery min. order $25). Licensed & BYO (bottled wine only). Air-conditioned. Cards: all. Parking: street, car parks.
This award-winning restaurant, established 22 years ago and voted one of the top ten Thai restaurants in Australia, is richly decorated with authentic Thai handicrafts. It was started by Barry and Dang Rhodes and is now managed by their son Siri. (Dang and Siri pictured)
Chef’s specials change fortnightly. Boonchu is offering a Value Customer Rewards Card. Check out the takeaway menu on line at the new website www.boonchuthairestaurant.com.au
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6/11-13 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach
Bookings: 9918 9963
Cuisine: Japanese. Chef / Owner: Hideaki Serizawa. Open 6 days Tues-Sun (closed Mondays), lunch 12:00am-3:00pm, dinner 6:00pm-10:30pm. Takeaway available. Licensed & BYO (bottled wine only) Corkage $2.50pp. Cards: V,MC & Eftpos Parking: Macmillan Court, Street.
Ninja in Avalon serves authentic and creative Japanese dishes, including healthy foods. A set menu is available from $39pp to introduce traditional Japanese dishes.
Great outdoor seating on an open terrace with a little Japanese garden. Bookings are recommended on a warm day.
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227 Whale Beach Road Whale Beach
Bookings 9974 2727
Cuisine: Modern Australian /Seafood Bistro. Open dinner Tues-Sat, lunch Tues-Sun, breakfast Sunday
mornings. Fully Licensed. Cards: all. Parking: street, beachfront carpark.
Moby’s Whale Beach is located on the top floor of the surf club at Whale Beach and has stunning headland to headland views out over beautiful Whale Beach. This is one of the best places in Sydney to watch migrating whales. Moby’s is a venue for a relaxed lunch or dinner and is also a popular location for birthday parties or other occasions.
Moby’s menu features chilli blue swimmer crab, grilled Moreton Bay bugs and scampi with garlic butter. For people who prefer non seafood dishes there is chicken, pork, duck & beef on the menu and the chefs can cater for vegetarians.
Added to the drinks list is a new beer called Whale Ale – a special brew created for Moby’s. Spot the whales travelling north during the next few months while you enjoy a drink or lunch.
Moby’s offers a local shuttle service to pick you up and drop you home after lunch or dinner. Moby’s also makes hand made chocolates available exclusively through the restaurant.
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27 Delecta Ave, Clareville Beach.
Bookings: 9918 2727.
Host: Padie Starr. Chef: Matt Kniepp. Cuisine: Contemporary Australian, European influences. Open: Dinner Wed-Sun, lunch Sat-Sun. Fully licensed. BYO (bottled wine only, except Sat. night). Cards: All. Parking: street and adjacent council carpark (with sticker).
Clareville Kiosk celebrates its 25th year, continuing its tradition of fine dining in a casual, friendly environment.
Clareville Kiosk joins the SMH Good Food Guide 25 year “stayers list” giving further cause for celebration. Head Chef Mathew Kniepp has designed a five course degustation (tasting menu) for all nights except Saturday for $75, or wine matched for $100.
He has also introduced “The Kiosk Lunch”, a three course set lunch menu for $39, available Saturdays and Sundays.
Given Mathew’s international experience – MCA Brisbane, L’Escargot London, and Platines Cape Town – expect a meal made with flair and originality.
Owner Padie Starr has developed a “concise but affordable” boutique wine list to complement the meal. This year the list includes a 25 year anniversary selection of wines normally valued at $40-$50 for $25 a bottle.
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1st Floor, 74 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon
Bookings: 9918 6319 or 9918 9981
Cuisine: Chinese. Hosts: Lee and Shirley. Chef: Ken. Open lunch Mon-Sat dinner 7 days. Also takeaway (prices vary). Licensed & BYO (bottled wine only). Cards: all but Diners. Parking: street, car park.
This restaurant has been established 40 years upstairs in Barefoot Boulevard off Old Barrenjoey Road and is owned by Shirley and Ken Fung.
The couple have had 25 years’ experience and have introduced authentic Cantonese dishes and a specials board, with an emphasis on seafood.
A wide variety of Cantonese, Peking and Szechuan dishes have been retained on the menu, served on modern white plates in a comfortable dining room with linen-clad tables.
No MSG is used. Ask about special banquet menus for groups.
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Schnapper Road, Ettalong Beach round the corner from the cinemas
Bookings: 4342 7030.
Cuisine: Northern Italian. Host/ Owner: Marco Cortesi. Chef: Marco Guglilelmo. Open: Dinner Thurs-Mon from 6pm till late, breakfast and lunch Fri-Sun 8am-5pm. Licensed and BYO wine only. Cards: All except Diners. Parking: street.
A family business owned by the Cortesi family, this restaurant is three years old, and won abest new business award from Central Coast Express Business Awards.
Marco Guglielmo is the executive chef who specialises in traditional North Italian cooking. All sauces and restaurant kitchen from fresh ingredients. The sausages including Cacciatore (traditional pork sausage, chicken and sage, rosemary lamb and beef) contain only meats and are gluten free.
Game, pork, veal, polenta and rice are prominent on the menu, as are favourite pastas, home made gnocchi and ravioli. The food is traditional North Italian, specialising in dishes like rabbit roasted with rosemary and roast pork served with polenta and vegetables. North Italian wines have been sourced to match the food.
The restaurant is fully licensed with access to outside seating on the piazza during the summer months. At dinner the candles are lit and the restaurant transforms to a romantic fine dining venue.
Check with staff for dates for live music. La Cucina Cortesi is a ferry trip away from Palm Beach and a short walk from the ferry wharf.
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17/1714 upstairs, Bakers Marina, Pittwater Rd, Bayview
Bookings: 9997 8918
Cuisine: Thai seafood. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner. Takeaways available at 10% discount. Licensed & BYO (bottled wine only). Cards: MC, V, Amex. Parking: car parks.
This upstairs Thai restaurant with a glorious view up Pittwater to Lion Island is an ideal venue for parties and functions.
It specialises in authentic Thai seafood dishes but also offers chicken and beef, a variety of rice and noodle dishes and a range of Thai style vegetarian. A list of special dishes is also available.
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Shop 2 1767 Pitwater Road Mona Vale
Bookings: 9997 6588
Cuisine: Lebanese. Chef and Co-owner: Sheena Hunter. Family business. Open for dinner 5 nights Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm. Fully licensed, BYO (bottled wine only), Corkage $3pp. Cards: M, V,Eftpos.
Takeaway available. Catering. Parking: street.
Mezza Grill brings the authentic flavour of Lebanon to the northern beaches with a Belly Dancer on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Traditionally, Lebanese food is shared at the table with a mixture of dishes, rather like the Spanish tapas, the origin of the word “mezza”. Specialities freshly prepared everyday include Falafel, Hommus, Baba Ghannouj, Kebbe, Kafta, Baklawa, tabouli – or try a mixed plate for a taste of everything!
You can also buy Lebanese products to take home, such as hommus, baba bhannouj, falafel, sambousik, garlic sauce, kebbe and kafta.
A traditional speciality is kebbe, an egg-shaped, burghul wheat and meat shell, filled with minced lamb, onion and spices, usually cinnamon. Another special dish is maghmour, grilled eggplant and tomato flavoured with cinnamon and snap fried. Desserts include deep-fried cream-filled filo fingers, drizzled in a syrup of lemon juice and rosewater. The dips are made daily and the marinades and sauces created inhouse.
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46 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon
Orders: 9918 0640 or 9918 4542
Cuisine: pizza. Host: Eliana Mercuri. Open 6 days from 5pm till late. Eat in or takeaway. Home delivery Newport to Palm Beach, minimum order. BYO. Parking: street.
Eat in, takeaway or have home delivered one of 53 varieties of traditional and gourmet pizzas in three sizes with meat, seafood or veggies and a choice of sauce bases. Service is quick as the pizzeria has two ovens. Extra toppings, lasagne, salads and gelato are also available.
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9/11 Bungan St, off Akuna Lane,
Mona Vale
Phone: 9999 3033
Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm.
This gourmet food store now has a range of pre-prepared take home meals for busy people or just when you don't feel like cooking. They include dishes such as Thai green chicken curry, spinach and ricotta lasagne, Beef Stroganoff, mango chicken, butter chicken, Irish stew and lamb shanks.
Improve your cooking skills and sign up for a class or three at this Mona Vale food outlet run by Mark and Louise Holland. In a custom-built kitchen Mark Holland and guest chefs demonstrate their expertise. For upcoming classes see the ad in the current issue of Pittwater Life.
Food Stuff Mona Vale has all the ingredients for these specialist cuisines as well as sauces, pastas, cheeses, stocks, curry pastes, chermoula, harissa and lots more for Moroccan cooking and paella rice, saffron, and Spanish paella pans for Spanish cooking. They will cook a paella party for 10 to 400 people. Call or email for details.
There is a big range of equipment like woks, paella pans and pasta machines and homewares.
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211 Plateau Rd, Bilgola Plateau
Phone: 9918 9408, 9973 3438
Host: Jill Marles. Gourmet cafe, deli, grocery and takeaway. Open 7 days breakfast, lunch and all day snacks. BYO. Parking: off-street at the door.
Corella continues to prepare a wide range of gourmet food for takeaway as well as its professional catering services for corporate and private clients – food, planning and staffing for every occasion from finger foods to sumptuous buffets.
Corella also provides takehome soups, meals, desserts and sweet treats, fresh or frozen and all made in Corella’s own kitchen and sold at the Bilgola Deli, now a spacious cafe with tables inside and out.
Daily specials are available as are fresh juices, coffee and T2 teas, a range of gourmet deli items, groceries, bread, milk and newspapers.
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CONTACT US:** EMAIL pitlife@ozemail.com.au**PHONE (02) 9974 1472**FAX (02) 9974 1473**POST PO Box 702, Avalon Beach 2107 |
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