Pittwater Online News

Barrenjoey House
1108 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach
Ph: 9974 4001
Monday - Tuesday: Lunch 11.30am - 3.00pm
Wednesday - Sunday: Lunch 11:30am - 3:00pm /  Dinner 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Website: www.barrenjoeyhouse.com.au

For that special lunch with friends late during the week when it's nice and quiet, the food and location that are part of Barrenjoey House remain hard to beat. A brilliant view of the estuary across Pittwater Park, the smell of the ocean wafting over the hill, icy cold and just right cocktails, an extensive wine list and a menu that offers modern Australian dishes with a focus on fresh seafood - as well as some great vegetarian dishes.

We always start out with a few Margaritas as this sunny spot and that taste of citrus match each other. Since Barrenjoey House has changed hands these are even better; sharp, on point with the mix of liqueur to juice, icy - perfect!

To go with these a mix if Entrees was ordered for the table. We tried the Zucchini Flowers - with sultanas, ginger + pecorino ($14), Fried Calamari - served with dill aioli + lemon ($22) and the Kingfish Ceviche - topped by fennel, cucumber + jalapeño ($24).

The table also ordered a sample of the House Baked Bread with handmade butter ($8).

The Seafood dishes were so fresh you knew the seafood had come in that morning. A pile of salted and peppered calamari in a crisp batter with tender rings of white succulence was just superb. 

The Kingfish Ceviche was melt in the mouth tender with a cure that hadn't overridden the taste of the fish itself. The salad ingredients, likewise, had been chosen and combined so the seafood remained the star - scrumptious!

The Zucchini Flowers were a crisp take on this popular vegetable with the addition of the sultanas a sweet contrast with the savoury. The addition of that nice warm loaf meant any leftover sauces and accompaniments could be swept up - great bread - if someone knows how to make bread this good that's a great sign for the rest of any menu.

For Mains we ordered four different dishes simply to try the range out. Rare Yellowfin Tuna Spaghetti with parmesan, garlic, capers + chilli ($34), Beer Battered Flathead served with chips, tartare + lemon ($31), Eye Fillet with mashed potato + green bean ($38), and Duck Breast served with Crème Fraiche and Figs ($38). A bottle of Tasmanian sparkling was chosen to accompany the mains as it's always time for a good Tassie wine.

The wine menu itself offers the best of Australian wines and vintages with something to match every dish or taste.

Barrenjoey House also caters to those who want to place a range of dishes on the table and enjoy some of those great cocktails and that view. Flatbreads topped with garlic,  rosemary + manchego, or tomato, mozzarella + basil with Lobster, béchamel + fresh herbs or Cured Ham with fig + mozzarella are available. 

There's a great range of deserts; a Strawberry Sundae, Banoffee Pie, Peanut Brittle Parfait and a Cheese plate are among the offerings - for those who can fit it in - we couldn't!

Vegetarians would enjoy the Ricotta Gnocchi with pumpkin, pine nuts + goats curd accompanied by one of the side salads; Tomato salad served with olives + manchego, an Avocado Salad with radicchio, cos + zucchini or the Asparagus Salad with pea + edamame + fetta.

The newly refurbished Barrenjoey House now has a bright breezy feel, comfortable chairs, umbrellas for sidewalk diners and the accommodation upstairs provides a must stay place for overseas visitors.

Afterwards you can take a stroll along Snapperman Beach and enjoy the estuary. 

Well worth visiting again if you haven't been since this historic Pittwater icon became part of the Boat House Group, they have brought great food with friendly service and a brilliant barkeep back to Barrenjoey House.