Sydney Eat Street: Places to try in Freshwater
FRESHWATER is one of those little gems hidden away on the northern beaches you need a reason to seek out. Well, here’s five good reasons to head there today.
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FRESHWATER is one of those little gems hidden away on the northern beaches you need a reason to seek out. Well, here’s five good reasons to head there today.
Take a tour of the area’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram.
1. PILU AT FRESHWATER
FROM lush hinterlands to the white sands and majestic blue waters, Sardinia, the second largest Italian island has a cuisine that is as varied as its terrain.
Fortunately for those of us tethered to that pesky thing called work, Sardinian chef, Giovanni Pilu, brought his culinary skills to the lovely beaches of Freshwater and developed a menu, in conjunction with head chef Jason Saxby that offers modern takes on island favourites such as, Bottarga.
Found in coastal areas, it’s a labour and time intensive delicacy made by salting and curing the roe pouch of the oft-under-utilised mullet.
Every dish tells a story — from the history of the farmlands represented on the menu with slow roasted lamb, to the seaside shores with barramundi.
Even the desserts tell a tale such as the peach ad wine mouse, a nod to the tradition of plopping slices into a glass of red wine — linger a bit over the wine, then savour the wine soaked fruit.
- Moore Rd, on the beach
2. ROOM TWO TEN
MOST would agree, life was meant for good friends and great adventures, but for Holly and Steve Carroll — who met through acquaintances in Amsterdam — that wanderlust led to love and eventually, a charming neighbourhood cafe serving great coffee and yummy foods.
They’re busy all day and have a menu that suits, commencing at 6.30am with the coveted brekkie wrap — scrambled eggs, ham, and tomato chutney, for the tradies, followed by mid-morning mothers’ groups with a cups of Black Drum coffee and later the post-work out gym crew ordering apple bircher.
Room Two Ten is licensed throughout the day, but coming soon they’ll be open evenings, Thursday-Sunday nights, for a tapas menu and a quirky 4X4 meatball menu.
A choice of beef, pork, chicken or vegetarian meatballs topped with your pick of four different sauces. Swap plates and you’ll be making friends in no time.
— Shop 7, 14 Lawrence St
3. PILU BARETTO
WHETHER you work up an appetite with a surf and swim or just a frolic in the waves followed by a good book, Pilu Baretto has something to satiate.
What started off as just a coffee kiosk adjacent to its sister eatery, Pilu, has turned into an outright open air Italian-inspired cafe offering impressive breakfast and lunch fare with what could still be considered kiosk prices.
No need to take out a loan for the generous amount of ripe avocado splayed on soy and linseed toast, topped with Pilu’s own olive oil.
Same goes for the bruschetta made with seasonal produce such as asparagus or ox heart tomatoes.
Try a glass of Italian wine with the housemade strozzapreti pasta and lamb ragu for lunch or in the latter part of the week when they’re open for dinner, linger over a classic negroni while watching the bright skies turn to dusk over the ocean water.
— Moore Rd, on the beach
4. STOWAWAY BAR
WHEN you’re looking to escape the work week or hunt down some clever cocktails, Stowaway Bar has just the ticket.
Like any good hide-out, the adventure starts with a rather covert entrance that leads ultimately leads to a treasure trove of delicious food, exotic drinks and a collection of worldly antiquities.
Sidle up to the bar, itself a testament to travels with elements sourced from an old English Church, for aptly named cocktails such as Round the Twist, homage to the children’s fantasy television program.
For those after a meal, grab a table on the balcony and peruse the Spanish inspired menu with dishes such as share plates of salmon Carpaccio, sides of crispy pork skin, Navarra rib eye steaks, lamb burgers and poached tuna salads. For a small bar, there’s plenty of good fortune to go around.
— Shop 18, 1-3 Moore Rd
5. SHANDAR TANDOORI INDIAN RESTAURANT
SERVING quality authentic food is one way to get people in to dine for the first time but when they come back again and again, that’s testament to the people at the helm of the restaurant’s success.
And to that, no one would know better than Sarmukh Sidhu, owner-chef of this Indian restaurant.
Celebrating its 30th birthday, it’s known as much for its tasty tender beef korma and spicy chicken vindaloo as it is for Sarmukh (goes by Christo) himself as he has the uncanny ability to know your name and your preference on the chilli scale.
Stop in for some chicken tikka and you’ll leave feeling like you’ve made a new friend.
— Shop 16, 1-3 Moore Road
MUST TRY
1. BEETROOT SODA BREAD
FOR the love of great coffee, you can’t go past this sleek and cosy cafe that not only serves up a killer cuppa but stellar eats as well. The menu is simple but bursts with both colour and flavour such as the vibrant chia pots and beetroot soda bread.
- Cruise Espresso, 2 Moore Rd
2. THE PAPI BURGER
INSPIRED by the menu at American diners, the boys here have modified some of the iconic foods to make them their own, such as the cheeseburger spring rolls and Kentucky fried haloumi. Of course, there’s no going past a burger layer with bacon and cheese.
— JB & Sons, Shop 8, 1-3 Moore Rd
3. CALM CAFE
SETTLE into this comfy and casual cafe where co-owner Cedric Le Page has set out to make it feel, “just like home” or Calm, an acronym for the French translation, Comme a la Maison.
Overlooking the beach, the delicious dishes such as eggs benedict with a huge slice of bacon or the popular mushroom and cherry tomato bruschetta, plus plenty of take-away options including fresh juices. CALM seats 60 people so it can get tight, but as Cedric says, outside, we can seat 6000.
— Calm Cafe, 37 Moore Rd
4. STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE TART
SAVOUR the smell of the fresh bread baked on site, but try not to linger long as they sell out fast.er than you can say “toast”. While you’re there, pick up some sweets for later. Try the strawberry cheesecake tarts are a real treat.
— Mrs Jones the Baker, 16A Lawrence St
5. THE COSMOPOLITAN PIZZA
WHETHER it’s a traditional pepperoni pizza or something more gourmet with apple glazed pork belly you’re bound to find a slice to please. Specials run throughout the week or on Monday’s head next door to Stowaway Bar, which they supply for pizza and drink, special.
— Marilynas Famous Pizza, Shop 18, 1-3 Moore Rd