Manly Daily’s pick of the northern beaches best food in 2016

THE Manly Daily reviewed 51 restaurants in 2016. Here is the pick of the 10 best eats, ranging from Nepalese street food to a bakery serving a spring vegetable tart.

If you like carbon with your bacon and egg roll, try Rukus’ lump of coal roll. Picture: Martin Lange

• Review: Street food, the Greek way
• Review: The beaches best fish and chips

THIS year we have travelled the beaches trying out 51 new cafes, clubs and restaurants. And — in no particular order — here’s our pick of 2016’s best eats on the beaches.

SMALLTOWN

Smashed avo may have missed out to democracy sausage as the National Dictionary Centre’s word of the year, but it ruled breakfast. Avalon’s Smalltown’s twist on the hipster favourite serves smashed avo on beetroot fritters with fetta and green herb oil. The star is the cumin coated poached egg.

Smashed avo on beetroot fritters, the Smalltown way. Picture: Martin Lange

THE NOOK

The Nook in Elanora Heights does wear its food credentials conspicuously, but it’s not preachy. The free-range pulled pork roll bridges the breakfast and lunch gap. Topped by ginger and turmeric sauerkraut, rocket, aioli and chipotle, it’s a standout. Fermented, fashionable and now so quintessentially suburban. And if turmeric latte isn’t your thing, coffee from local boutique roaster Barrel One should hit the spot.

Breakfast at The Nook includes Mexican baked eggs, a nourish bowl, smashed avo and turmeric latte.

RUKUS

There’s nothing like a food trend to give Insta fans twitchy fingers. New Newport cafe Rukus did it the best with its lump of coal roll. The activated charcoal bun is a gimmicky, but tasty, dressed-up egg and bacon roll with wow factor. Rukus also has its own coffee, from Warriewood micro roaster Unground.

THE PREVIEW

The Preview in Forestville is another standout in a crowd of cafe clones. Yes, there’s kale, cunningly disguised along with black beans as a zippy tabouli. Pair this with a piece of slow-cooked salmon on a wedge of caramelised pumpkin, cherry tomatoes, a hint of chilli and creamy labne. Popping with colour and bursting with flavour, it’s one of the best salads I’ve had in a long time.

The Preview’s salmon salad. Picture: Adam Yip

HAMRO AANGAN

If you like spicy without the heaviness of typical Indian curries, then Hamro Aanganhas introduced Balgowlah to Nepalese street food, vegetarian dishes and meaty curries. Nepalese food still has a cupboard full of spices, but it’s much more subtle. Momos — Nepalese dumplings — are terrific, and if goat liver and kidney is too ‘offally’ for an entree, try the goat curry, bones and all.

Momos (front) with aaloo kopi, thali set, and morang khasi at Hamro Aangan. Picture: Braden Fastier

PIZZA RICCARDO

Pizza has to be the ultimate fast food. It’s easy to eat, portable and more-ish. Narrabeen’s Pizza Riccardo nails it and impresses us with sourdough bases and quality toppings. Di Alesandro, with tomato, for di latte, gorgonzola dolce and sopressa gets our vote.

Pizza Riccardo’s sourdough margarita pizza. Picture: Martin Lange

CHIOSCO AT THE SPIT

Chiosco at The Spit gets the nod for best BYO and its modern trattoria food. What’s more enjoyable than a leisurely lunch, a backdrop of swanky boats and bubbly conversation over a bowl of handmade pasta served with prawns, bottarga (fish roe), tomatoes and lemon?

Chiosco is perfect for a long, leisurely lunch. Picture: Virginia Young

PILU AT AKUNA BAY

Keeping the Italian theme going, Pilu at Akuna Baygets the gong for a special Sunday lunch. Giovanni Pilu has introduced two versions of an Italian shared feast deep within Ku-ring-gai National Park. The book-ahead Frutti di Mare seafood suits a Sydney summer perfectly. If you’re eating on the deck, watch out for the rogue kookaburra, who was just as keen on the hiramasa kingfish on crostini as we were.

Cold seafood platter from Pilu at Akuna Bay.

PAPI CHULO

I’m still in mourning for Papi Chulo’srotisserie Malaysian chicken and its tray of condiments. Big flavours and my lips are still smarting from that midyear Botox blast from the ayam curry sauce. Delicious and easily my pick over the Manly restaurant’s meaty barbecued options.

Papi Chulo’s rotisserie Malaysian chicken. Picture: Troy Snook

BERKELO BAKERY

Finally, former Boathouse Group executive chef Tom Eades opened his Brookvale bakery mid year. Berkelo Bakery is tucked away on William St almost opposite Warringah Mall and parking is tricky, but it’s worth a visit. If his spring vegetable tart topped with tiny whole veg is anything to go by, then it will be one to watch in 2017.

Tom Eadie with Isabelle Crane and Matt Durrant at Berkelo Bakery. Picture: Annika Enderborg