REVIEWED BY DE GROOTS MEDIABarrenjoey House has all the elements of a special occasion restaurant: it’s a bit out of the way, so you have to make an effort to get there; it has a prime location just across from the water at Palm Beach; and the interior design is the very epitome of classy beach house chic. Patrons can survey the comings and goings of the ferry terminal from an elevated balcony out front. Scattered with rustic metal tables and brightly cushioned chairs, the balcony backs onto a casual dining room that opens up in summer to take best advantage of the magical sea breezes. Meanwhile the more formal main dining room looks like something out of Home Beautiful magazine with so many eye-catching objects you’ll never get bored, no matter how dry your company.
In the cooler months, a seat between the window and the roaring fireplace is the perfect antidote to miserable weather. If that doesn’t help, maybe the food will. The poached prawn and scallop in fragrant coconut broth is a nice winter warmer, while the salad of prosciutto with roasted raddichio, gorgonzola, pears and hazelnut dressing is a light introduction to the main course. Try the saffron tagliatelle with seafood in lobster bisque with chilli jam and basil, followed by white chocolate macadamia cheesecake with red berries coulis. And remember: if the lure of the good drop gets the better of you, there’s accommodation upstairs.
July 2007
