Beach House

By Franz Scheurer

Location, location, location, that’s what the Beach House at Whale Beach has, overlooking the beach diners are guaranteed a view that’s easy on the eyes and soothing to the soul.

Greeted cordially on arrival and seated at a window table lunch looks promising. The menu on the website gives some indication of the style of food, modern Australian at an affordable price, and they do breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A ‘Warm salad of prawns and braised pork with red peppers, coriander, spinach, sweet soy and chilli’ sounds like a great autumn dish, it’s also good to see Serrano Jamon on the list, a calamari salad is well presented, the greens are crunchy but a bit lifeless. Although the menu is seafood-heavy, they prepare a good piece of meat with the ‘Char grilled Scotch fillet, sautéed mushrooms, red wine sauce and sour cream’. In season, there’s ‘Roasted jewfish fillet and sea scallops with bok choy, leeks, shiitake and ginger soy and mirin sauce’. Jewfish is such a great fish, served in too few Sydney restaurants. ‘Fish and Chips’ is flathead in beer batter accompanied by crunchy, chunky wedges. The fish is fresh and the batter, although quite thick, is crisp and salty. A daily special of ‘Quail pie served on sautéed mushrooms’ has a ladle of clear broth around it and reminds me visually of Aria’s famous Duck pie, although it lacks the deep flavours and wonderful textures of Matt Moran’s creation.

A surprisingly light ‘Bread and butter pudding with prunes and prune ice cream’ is well presented, although the spun sugar cage on top may be a bit passé for some.

The wine list is good, featuring lesser-known gems like Sharman’s Riesling from Tasmania and Lake George Pinot Noir from Canberra, at good prices. Service is cheerful and very Northern Beaches, the waiter’s casual comment on surfboard handling down on the beach makes it obvious that he knows what he’s talking about.

This is an affable restaurant with a great view, a good place to take the family for weekend lunch. There’s no kitchen wizardry or flashy extravaganzas (well…except for the spun sugar cage) and down-to-earth prices to match. If you go there for the view, the ambience and to have a good time with some friends you won’t be disappointed.

Score: 6/10

For more information and bookings:

Beach House

Restaurant at Whale Beach

227 Whale Beach Road

Whale Beach NSW 2107

Tel.: 02 9974 2727