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Palate PLEASURES with LOU PERRI
FROM THE STUNNED MULLET
DOWN by the SEA
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here’s something that ticks all the boxes about being close to the ocean and sharing a bite amongst friends or family. Sharing a bit of, well anything. Even if it’s a couple of slices of watermelon or a bag of chips – somehow our senses are enhanced by the smell of the salt air, the warmth of the sun on our limbs and just the sheer proximity to all that salty stuff. We seem to gravitate towards dining by the sea on all kinds of occasions – whether it’s a case of pulling up at a beachside picnic table to chow down a sandwich on a work day, grabbing a paper wrapped bag of fish and chips for an early dinner with the fam, utilising those communal barbies for a sausage sizzle with some buddies, or going all stops out with a romantic seafood picnic hamper for two, full of succulent prawns, finest oysters, cheeses and of course a lovely wine to share as the sun sets. Naturally, there’s a powerful corresponding urge to position one’s restaurant or café proposition as close to the water as possible too. Holiday dining calls for bookings made first in the places with the water views.
42 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Diners covet the tables that inhabit the space closest to the water. Regarded by operators as prime restaurant real estate, such tables are earmarked for VIPs, Birthdays, Anniversaries and the very lucky. Marred only by a lack of weather proofing on an inclement day, there’s not much to dislike about having the opportunity to view the surf action, perhaps some boating, clouds scudding across the horizon. Getting to do this just on its own, is in itself a lovely reprieve from the humdrum of every day. But imagine getting such a primo waterside pozzie and then also being served up some rather tasty morsels and poured a lovely glass of vino or two… well, now we’re talking folks. This is living… and this is the kind of nice little interlude from real life that we all crave. There are all kinds of places that nail this, and they’ve all got the queues out the door to be sure. To pull off a successful coastal dining vibe isn’t rocket science. The only rule is being positioned in that most fabulous location that possesses proximity to water. Your proposition can be as relaxed as can be – a kiosk at the surf club, where bare feet, being clad only in cossies and still dripping after a plunge at the flags is de
rigeur. Or on the other end of the spectrum – it can be one of extreme chic, where one is seen to be seen – clad in designer names only, and always in sunglasses darling. Think French Riviera, Positano. Spectacular backdrops, chock full of spectacular humans posing alongside. Water may well be a balm for the soul, and indeed for one’s appetite. But it might be tempting for a few to cut the odd corner when it comes to their culinary offerings…. let’s just say the offerings may well be somewhat sub-standard, when compared with the, well, view. These less scrupulous types may bank on the fact that the beauty of the natural wonders surrounding you might blind you from the very ordinary fish and chips or over cooked steak in front of you. Fortunately for them though, it does appear to ring somewhat true that just being in that beautiful place by the sea, with the sun shining overhead does in fact just make everything taste better. We are extremely fortunate to have an inexhaustible choice of stunning coastline vistas to choose from in this part of the world. Enjoy the view with good appetite whenever you can!
