Rick Stein at Bannisters: Seafood, Mollymook (20 Nov 2011)

191 Mitchell Parade, Mollymook NSW 2539

http://www.bannisters.com.au

Stein's seafood down south

Before Baby Isabelle came along we had a babymoon trip down south to visit Berry, Jervis Bay, Tilba and included Mollymook to specifically dine at Rick Stein at Bannisters. We actually wanted to stay at Bannisters as well but unfortunately the friday and saturday we went away all the rooms and restaurant had been booked out due to a wedding reception. Sunday lunch was free but unfortunately included a $10 surcharge per person for the privilege. The restaurant had lovely decor and window views that stretched towards the sea through the trees. Complimentary bread and olives was good to start the appetite before I tucked into some freshly shucked Oysters ($24 for six) which included St Helens Pacifics which are one of my favourites. The oysters were fresh but overall didn't have as much brine as I was hoping for — perhaps it was because the shells were quite shallow. Grilled Hervey Bay Scallops in the Shell with Toasted Hazelnut and Coriander Butter ($26, 5 pieces) were topped with plenty of flavour making them worth trying. My main temptation for visiting the restaurant was to try their Grilled Local Eastern Rock Lobster ($126 600g) which also came at a premium price of $21 per 100g — but it was a babymoon after all so a bit of a splurge was justified. The lobster was split open and grilled, served with a sauce made with lobster fumet, parsley, chervil, tarragon and chives resulting in quite tasty yet salty flavour but happily the lobster meat easily came out of it's shell for my enjoyment. Nothing was left to waste as I battled with the legs to extract as much of the meat as humanly possible.

The Bannisters Fish Pie ($42) came in a smallish dish but made up for it in terms of the seafood hidden under the breadcrumbs and parmesan. Decent pieces of fish, prawn and scallop were to be found in a flavoursome creamy fish veloute sauce making it deceptively more filling than expected. For dessert we had Roulade of Soft Meringue, Vanilla Crème Fraiche and Pistachio Praline with rhubarb compote ($16) and Baked 'Valhrona' Chocolate and Marmalade Tart with orange blossom ice cream ($16). Both presented well and flavours to satisfy the discerning sweet tooth palate. My Affogato ($16) was thankfully served with a decent amount of ice cream although very expensive for the price when you consider it didn't include a liqueur. After lunch we checked out one of the vacated rooms which was well-furnished with all the mod cons and had excellent views over the pristine looking swimming pool and towards the sea. Hopefully one day we'll have a chance to return to stay so there won't be far to go after a few extra glasses of Rick Stein Semillon Sauvignon Blanc ($15/glass).

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Water views, Nice decor and atmosphere, Friendly and accommodating service, Quality ingredients, Enticing seafood menu, Accommodation available

CONS: Can be very expensive depending on what you order, $10 pp service charge on Sundays, No sign of Rick Stein in the kitchen

MUST TRY: Oysters and lobster if you can afford it and save room for dessert. Our waiter recommended the lobster thermidor which I'd go for next time.

VERDICT: Best not to think about the cost and just enjoy the moment with the nice surrounds and quality dishes

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Complimentary bread and olives

Cutlery choices when having lobster

Rick Stein Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Hunter Valley, Adelaide Hills ($15/glass)

Selection of freshly shucked oysters, served with soy, lime, ginger dressing and eschallot vinegar: Ewan McAsh’s Rock Oysters, Snapper Bay, Moonlight Flat, St Helens Pacifics, Greenwell Point ($24 for six) — although apparently you're supposed to order either Sydney Rock or Pacifics and can't mix them

Grilled Hervey Bay Scallops in the Shell with Toasted Hazelnut and Coriander Butter ($26, 5 pieces)

Bannisters Fish Pie: Salmon, blue eye, snapper, scallops, mushrooms and prawns in a creamy fish velouté sauce, gratinated with bread crumbs and parmesan ($42)

Grilled Local Eastern Rock Lobster: Split open and grilled, served with a sauce made with lobster fumet, parsley, chervil, tarragon and chives ($126 600g, $21 per 100g)

Chunks of satisfying lobster meat

Mission accomplished

Side of vegetables ($7), Chips ($7)

Roulade of Soft Meringue, Vanilla Crème Fraiche and Pistachio Praline with rhubarb compote ($16)

Baked 'Valhrona' Chocolate and Marmalade Tart with orange blossom ice cream ($16) - nice presentation, good flavourAffogato ($16)

Affogato ($16)

Decent amount of ice cream to enjoy

Bill $345 for two, including $10 pp sunday surcharge

Reflection shot

Flat table support bases — I like

Restaurant outlook

Checking out the accommodation and views

On my wish list for next time if I can afford it

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Manfredi at Bells: Sneaky Sunday Package, Bells at Killcare (16 Jan 2011)

107 The Scenic Road, Box Head NSW 2257

http://www.bellsatkillcare.com.au

Escape and relax in style

A very special birthday treat brings me to Bells at Killcare situated about 2 hours north from Sydney for a Sneaky Sunday package ($500) which includes one night King Spa Suite accommodation, a gourmet breakfast hamper and a VIP restaurant reservation inclusive of a 3 course meal. Arriving at the large property near Bouddi National Park you’re welcomed by trees all around, well kept garden areas, a pond with ducks and most importantly a decent sized swimming pool to catch up on your vitamin D. Our room has its own private car spot, private balcony, nice furnishings and even a shower with 5 shower heads to wash your body in all the right spots. It felt more like a nice cosy beach home rather than a confined hotel room and my only finicky criticisms would be for a larger TV, extra shelving space around the bathroom sink for personal toiletries and a slightly larger balcony table. Also the breakfast hamper is a nice idea and has its advantages of eating it when you want but unfortunately that also means you have to actually cook it yourself and I would have preferred dining in the restaurant.

Arriving during the day meant there was time to check out the nice local beaches but surf was quite rough which limited where you could swim. I’m not sure what the VIP meant for the restaurant reservation but being a guest entitled us to a Complimentary bellini cocktail between 5 and 6 pm. Hoping not to miss out I raced back from the beach clad in board shorts and took them back to the room to enjoy on the private balcony before our 7 pm dinner reservation. Dinner time was filled with predominately couples sitting on the balcony overlooking the large well kept garden. It was a very pleasant seating arrangement and service although young were friendly and welcoming. Keep in mind once the sun goes down it’s mosquito frenzy time and it would have been nice to know in advance that insect repellent was available to use if required — it’s recommended you put it on before getting bitten alive or move inside before sunset.

Complimentary olives and crackers were good although I’m not a huge fan of those really little ones — I think what’s the point. Started with a 2009 Maude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($12) and reasonably priced yet very quaffable 2009 A. Mano Fiano Greco ($10). The Crayfish cannelloni ($30 menu special) had thankfully noticeable pieces of crayfish and wasn’t too heavy. My 2 types of Oysters ($4.50 each) supposedly freshly shucked weren’t particularly the best I’ve had. They looked a bit too roughly opened showing a fair amount of shell cracking, not much prized brine and unfortunately one of them was served with a greenish slime which I’ve never come across before and perhaps should have never made it to the plate. A slice of lemon would have been nice and I much preferred the ones recently served at Café Sydney. Bold flavours to be had in the pricey Grilled grass-fed beef loin ($44) and included the unusual purple carrot. Crumbed veal involtini ($42) comes at a premium price like most of the mains but had nice flavours.

A side of tasty Roast rosemary potatoes ($12) was a good choice although I would have preferred it with some more outer crunch. I really enjoyed the Green beans with parsley and garlic ($14) as a side. Both the 2005 Lengs & Cooter 'Swinton' McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon ($12) and 2008 A. Mano Primitivo ($10) hit the right notes. For dessert the smallish Raspberry, pistachio and vanilla cassata ($18.50) and Tartufo di Amedei chocolate ($18.50) were enjoyed with a lovely drop of 2008 Margan Family Botrytis Semillon ($10). Cappuccino ($6) was good and non bitter as hoped. After a filling dinner it was nice to be able to simply pick up a couple of free DVDs from the guest library collection and walk back to the quiet accommodation. For a special home away from home experience I think Bells at Killcare have done a good job at creating it for those who need a bit of chill out time in their lives.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Quality and quiet accommodation, Relaxing, Pool, Good wines, Romantic, Nice dishes (although oysters could have been better), Nice garden view from restaurant outdoor seating (although expect mosquitoes at dusk), Friendly and accommodating service, Beaches and walking trails in National Park nearby

CONS: Expensive, Room TV could have been bigger, More shelving space in bathroom would have been appreciated, Have to cook your own breakfast, Quite a small balcony table so awkward to fit everything on top for breakfast, Some good yet mostly bad background music choices for the restaurant and at times a little too noticeable (please scrap the country music selection)

MUST TRY: Green beans with parsley and garlic, Bellini cocktail, Wines, Crayfish cannelloni, Swim in the pool, Enjoy the beaches, Smell the fresh air

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Accommodation

House key — Number 5

Entrance to accommodation

Private balcony

Private car spot and surrounding privacy trees

Lounge and kitchen

Lounge and bed

Kitchen area

Coffee

Bathroom and spa

Sink area — could do with some extra shelving for personal toiletries

Bells bathroom toiletries

5 shower head system — washing places I never knew I had

Manfredi at Bells Restaurant

Complimentary bellini cocktail for guests 5-6 pm

Complimentary olives and crackers

2009 Maude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc NZ ($12), 2009 A. Mano Fiano Greco IGT Italy ($10)

Crayfish cannelloni ($30 menu special)

Oysters freshly shucked and served with aged wine vinegar and shallot ($4.50 each)

Although one of the oysters wasn't looking the most appetising and perhaps should have never been served (subsequently not charged once I alerted the kitchen). Also some oyster shells weren't particularly opened well and quite broken up around the rim.

Grilled grass-fed beef loin with roast garlic, red wine sauce ($44) - ordered medium rare

Crumbed veal involtini with provolone, green chard from our garden and cannellini beans ($42)

Roast rosemary potatoes ($12)

Green beans with parsley and garlic ($14)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

2005 Lengs & Cooter 'Swinton' McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon ($12), 2008 A. Mano Primitivo IGT Italy ($10)

2008 Margan Family Hunter Valley Botrytis Semillon ($10)

Sugar and petit four

Cappuccino ($6)

Raspberry, pistachio and vanilla cassata ($18.50)

Tartufo di Amedei chocolate ($18.50)

Restaurant

Balcony seating — nice views of garden grounds, but once dusk comes be prepared for mosquitoes or sit inside

Inside dining

Bill $261.50 for 2 people — at check out only paid for extras like drinks and sides

Sneaky Sunday Package deal includes 3 course for lunch or dinner

Breakfast hamper

Breakfast hamper including jam, chutney, honey, granola, fruit and Sunzest Organic orange juice — some yoghurt would have gone nicely with the granola

Cooking up the eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms and tomato

Have breakfast on the balcony — but the table is quite small so a bit tight on space

Bells at Killcare property

Garden seating

Pool — nice size and clean

Restaurant balcony

Garden grounds

Lounge bar

Library

Vegetable garden

Pond

Reception and restaurant reception

Entrance signage — Tuesdays has a restaurant special

Entrance to Bells at Killcare

Beaches nearby

Killcare Beach

MacMasters Beach

Copacabana Beach

Avoca Beach

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