All blog posts tagged with modern australian cuisine
Ocean Noir
1/8 Marine Drive
Coffs Harbour, Jetty
I have only recently reviewed this restaurant after spending a lovely lunch soaking up the sun on the deck and watching the waves breaking on the reef. Today we were meeting friends for breakfast, and Ocean Noir was one of the suggested venues. I had looked at the breakfast menu previously and noticed a few tasty inclusions that I was interested in sampling. We settled on Ocean Noir for a late breakfast.
Even though the meeting time was 9.30am hubby and I still managed to be late. Luckily we weren’t riding our push bikes down to the beach, as was first suggested or it may have been a lunchtime date!
When we arrived, Rach and Scott had a table on the deck overlooking the break wall and were settled in with a coffee. We caught up on gossip and perused the menu. I don’t tend to have a large breakfast so I was looking for something tasty and light.
I order the “Breakfast at the Harbour” Rachael and Scott both chose the Traditional Large Breakfast and Mr GG ordered the Spanish Omelette. Hubby would have preferred a huge serve of bacon and eggs but because he knew I would want to photograph a few different dishes he went with my suggestion of Spanish Omelette.
My Harbour Breakfast looked gorgeous when it arrived and it was exactly what I wanted. Fresh fig, spiced pear, mint leaves, camembert and strawberries served with sliced toasted bagel which was cut wafer thin and presented in an elegant fan over the camembert. I would have loved a little more pear and fig to go with the camembert as the flavour combination was beautiful on the crispy bagel, but it was a breakfast I absolutely enjoyed.
The Traditional Large Breakfast was very large. Rachael and Scott had chosen the poached eggs, there was a very generous serving of grilled bacon, sausages, hash browns, semi dried roasted tomato, mushroom and thick sliced toast. Rachel commented on how perfect her eggs were cooked and how she had been hoping for some really chunky toast which is exactly what she received.
The Spanish Omelette was served in a cast iron frying pan with some more thick slabs of toast. The Omelette included spicy chorizo sausage, gooey, stringy melted cheese and red peppers. I watched a hubby’s cheese stretched 30cm from the pan to his mouth in that mouthwatering cheesey way. I would have happily stolen this dish from him as the mouthful I tried was really good.
Once again we have been really happy Ocean Noir, the ambiance, menu and service. I noted that they also have a very interesting evening menu. We are looking forward to the warmer weather when we can get a group together to sit out on the deck and watch the sea and sunset with a bottle of wine. So yes, there will be a third review in a couple of months.
The restaurant is open daily but bookings are advisable 6651 6888
Shearwater Restaurant
321 High Street
Coffs Harbour
The Shearwater Restaurant is one which I find myself at quite regularly. The menu is changed regularly, and the outlook is beautiful so it’s a difficult restaurant to go past when you want to spend a few hours at a slower pace.
I say a few hours, because whenever I choose the Shearwater it is because I intend to spend the afternoon on the deck, overlooking Coffs Creek, with a bottle of wine and some good company. This visit was no different, I was having lunch with my mother and we had some catching up to do.
The feeling of Spring is in the air at Coffs Harbour, and it was the perfect weather to be out on the deck. We decided on a Verdelho as we both enjoy this style of wine. We were very pleased with our wine selection and proceeded to gossip and peruse the menu.
The Shearwater specializes in Modern Australian Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. Once again the menu had changed since my last visit so I had a difficult decision. There were many dishes which sounded very appealing. I decided on the “Barramundi with Cajun Spice on a Corn Fritter”.
Mum chose the Tapas mixed plate off the specials board so she could sample a few different dishes. The Tapas Plate consisted of “Salt and Pepper Snapper with Aioli and Lime”, “Paprika Chicken with Pumpkin and Pesto” and a “Toasted Olive Rye with Serrano Ham and Goats Cheese.” All of which were mouth wateringly delicious.
We took our time with our meals, both of us impressed with the dishes and thoroughly enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the Shearwater.
The Shearwater is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days. For bookings Ph: (02) 6651 6053 or contact via email info@shearwaterrestaurant.com.au
As a price guide lunch mains are from $24 - $29 and wine by the glass is from $7 - $10.
Ocean Noir
1/8 Marine Drive
Coffs Harbour, Jetty
It was a beautiful sunny day with a hint of Spring in the air so Mr GG and I decided to take advantage of the lovely weather and have lunch at the over looking the ocean. We had recently gone for a walk along the breakwall at Coffs Harbour Jetty and noticed Ocean Noir. Naturally, I had to take a look at the menu. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was refreshingly different, and my curiosity was aroused by starters such as The Brioche. A Sweet French bread with poached pear, goats cheese and duck liver pate.
After viewing the breakfast, lunch and dinner menu I decided that although the dinner menu looked amazing, we would save that experience for a hot summer night. Mr GG and I could have a romantic meal on the deck. I have already decided we will try the Seafood Platter. It includes a whole lobster, seared scallop a la parmessana, smoke salmon canapies and tom kha talay seafood. Wow!
For lunch today however we settled in to enjoy the view and a beverage while we perused the menu properly. There were so many dishes I would have like to have sampled but alas I had to make a choice. I decided I would try two entrée’s. Eventually I settled on the Crab Cakes with Pebre Salsa and Crackers, and Prawn & Scallop a la Parmessana. Hubby chose Chicken Breast stuffed with onion and fig jam seared in wasabi butter and served with sauté vegetables.
We relaxed on the deck and watched the water as our meal was prepared. I love that there are so many unique dishes on the menu. Lots of lovely fresh flavours and thankfully the standard accompaniment is not chips.
When our meals arrive we are both impressed. My seared Scallop and Prawn is huge for a starter and served in the scallop shell with a delicious white wine sauce and melted pungent parmesan. Served with the dish is a fresh parsley salsa that finishes this delicious dish beautifully.
With a little help from Mr GG I get through the first starter and I am excited to move onto the second. The Crab Cakes are served in a ramekin with garlic butter and cognac and a rich cream parmesan reduction. There are homemade crackers for dipping in this luscious seafoody cheesy dish. The flavour is out of this world. The cognac and crab is just magic together! Our table is silent except for the odd blissful sigh.
Brett had a main of Chicken Breast, his meal equaled mine in sublime taste. The accompaniment Mr GG's chicken was crispy greens and mushroom. The dish had an amazing smokey flavour with a rich jus that matched the chicken beautifully. The chicken skin was crispy seared, and the breast was beautifully moist and flavoursome. The onion and fig jam hit another taste level, being beautiful and caramel and finishing the meal perfectly.
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and regret that we were too full to try anything off the dessert menu.
Lunch starters are from $12 - $16, lunch mains are from $17 - $26
The restaurant is open daily but bookings are advisable 6651 6888
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3 TOURS DEPARTING 2012
Have Your Say
I wish I had you for my mum when I was 5!
That cake would have been the talk of the town for the rest of the year - fantastic job.
A lot of your blogs will be interactively design and style that visitor share data to read your blog.
Thank you so much, it is going to be a wonderful surprise for my Mum, I wish everyone a great day with your own special people, those who helped you become who you are today.
Mum definitely deserves the hamper, because she is an amazing woman that has brought up 3 kids through tough times. She is the best mum a son could ask for.
She's had it tough, working hard
deserving much more than just a card
So let's raise a glass and toast her true
The best person in the world - Mum, that's you!
Thanks for the info on Rasa Malaysia's book. I used to visit her website for recipes but some time ago, igot a new PC and forgot to bookmark it!
You're too modest Julie! You did a great job with the cake! :D
Yellow strawberries and cream is just perfect for mum as a reward for putting up with two kids who were a pain in the bum.
I would have loved to have seen those martini glasses! Hope Miss A had a lovely time celebrating turning 5 :D
It shouldn't. It should go to me as whilst trying to make sure my mum, step-mum, MIL, Step-MIL, 3 x Grandmas are spoilt on Mother's Day, I always seem to get forgotten!
My poor old mum is battling to care for my step dad who has advanced Parkinsons. My real dad who has had a stroke still expects her to be there for him, my bro is going bankrupt and she lives two states away from her only gransdon. Her life has little joy- JUst wish for one thing nice to happen to her. We all love our mums, good luck to you all!
Perfect place to relax and forget about all the troubles we have in the city and just unwind ~ can't wait to go to somewhere like this hehe
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