LUXE WINE & DINE

Having undergone a few nips and tucks in the past two years, the restaurant is light and breezy with a distinctly Hamptons like vibe. The blue and white stripes and light timbers give a beachy-cool vibe that is fitting with its bayside location. The deck has magnificent views over the marina, and you can hear the soft tinkering of yachts as they bend and sway with the breeze.

Along with its hip restaurant makeover, the hotel has also revamped its rooms and now boasts boutique, luxury accommodation with the rooms offering sprawling waterfront views, floor to ceiling glass walls, timber floors and designer finishes. Along with venue renovations, the menu has also undergone a shake-up under the expert lead of head chef, Andrew Macartney.

The produce is all locally sourced, creating a true farmer’s market experience for diners and the food is exceptional. Fresh and seasonal, the menu offers thoughtful vegan and vegetarians dishes that are contemporary and flavoursome, along with wood fired pizzas and pub-friendly steaks cooked to perfection.

The seaside classics come with a modern twist and the salmon is resplendent.

With a tahini & miso dressing, cauliflower, sultanas, pomegranate, pistachio and Danish feta, it’s the perfect dish for a long lunch or a warm, summer evening ($30). Of course, a seafood lunch wouldn’t be complete without a starter plate of freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters with a lemon and shallot dressing ($3.50).

For those looking for a lighter option, the vegan vitality superfood salad ($18) is a daintier meal but still big on flavour, with an interesting coconut and turmeric dressing.

For those hankering for a tipple, the cocktail menu is a delight. Designed to appeal to a discerning crowd, it is well researched and on trend. Offering hip creations such as their signature Grey Goose Espresso Martini with 22 caret gold dust ($20), it is a sophisticated bar that holds its own with the summer swell of Sydney siders flocking to the venue.

The wine list is also extensive and has been expertly paired to the menu.

Appealing to a wide audience, this much loved local hotel has become something of a mecca for grey nomads as they travel north, a day trip for Novocastrian families over the school holidays and has recently found it’s place in the heart of a hip, new crowd who have discovered a home away from home, where they can float around in their designer kaftans while mixing it up with the locals, who are always more than happy to shoot the breeze.