Fat Tony's Bar and Grill, Tathra NSW

Fat Tony's Bar and Grill

Food: 3/5
Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5

Fat Tony's is an old harbourmaster's house overlooking the ocean from the top of the hill, one of the first homes built in the township of Tathra. It has a nice local, welcoming feel to it and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Having said that, I have dined here a few times and I've always enjoyed the food.

The service was great, much better than the last time I visited. The restaurant was fully booked out at this time of year, a hit with both the locals and tourists.

 The view from our table.

 

Garlic Bread   $5.00

Piggy's Back - twice cooked crackling pork belly served with seasoned sauteed cabbage, maple roast apple and potato rosti, finished with a red wine jus   $28.50

Eye Fillet Steak - export quality eye fillet wrapped in Tathra Butchery lean smokey bacon, served with chips and salad, topped with Tiger prawns and bearnaise sauce   $33.50

F. T.'s Pasta - fettucine tossed with pesto, roast peppered pumpkin, snow peas, rocket and chef's roast garlic, cream and sauvignon blanc sauce   $19.50

Fat Summer Seafood - Queensland king prawns, juicy scallops, and calamari rings served with mixed leaves and tossed with fresh mango, cucumber and caramelised onion   $31.50 

Chicken dish (sorry, no details)

Grilled fresh fish fillet - chef's selection of fresh fish fillet served with chermouola spice mix and served on coriander, preserved lemon and garden vegetable quinoa then finished with caramelised lime yoghurt and crisped flat bread   (no price available)

Cute salt and pepper shakers!

Choc hazel butterscotch cake

FTCC cookies

.....and later heading to the pub to rock out!

Tathra Beach Cafe, Tathra NSW

Tathra Beach Cafe

http://www.tathra-beach.com.au/beachcafe/

Food: 2.5/5
Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Service: 3/5

Tathra Beach Cafe boasts a beautiful view of the ocean and the location couldn't be better......although I wish I could say the same about their food. I remember breakfasts here being a decent serving, well known for their healthy, creative menu. Unfortunately, during my last visit the meals we ordered did not live up to what I remember as a few years ago.

I had noticed recently that Tathra Beach Cafe had been through some renovations just before their opening at the beginning of the 2011 summer season, but for the better or worse? It's hard to say. The addition of a (very, very) small licenced bar area just hasn't made the cafe any more appealing. This is particularly true if you actually enjoy an ocean view whilst sipping on a summer cocktail or wine, or throwing back a relaxed beer. If you prefer being jammed into a tiny boxed area with a view of no less than three walls, and an extremely limited number of tables and stools (try two tables) then this is the place for you.

The decor was drab and lifeless, reminding me of some of the classrooms I have taught in during the past - a little too white and ghostly for me. I can safely assume that the establishment has recently changed hands yet again - and I can hope that during the next change of hands, someone can turn this cafe around into the full potential that it could be. Sadly, I believe the photos on their website are proof of better days.

Standard skinny flat white

The (only) interesting item of decor.

  

Free range eggs - two scrambled eggs with toast  $9.50

Green eggs with feta - three eggs scrambled with feta, rocket, basil and shallots served toasted turkish bread. This breakfast was refreshing and light, definitely one of the only things I would come back for.  $16.50

We can all relate to this.....

Waterfront Cafe, Merimbula NSW

Water front Cafe, Merimbula

http://thewaterfrontcafe.net.au/


Food: 2.5/5
Atmosphere: 3/5
Service: 3.5/5

I might offend a few Victorians here, but I don't see what all the fuss is about the Waterfront Cafe. This is my first visit to this establishment and I wasn't overly impressed.

Don't get me wrong, the scenery from the boardwalk is fantastic, and as far as positioning goes, the location is perfect for a cafe / restaurant, right in the heart of Merimbula. I guess this is one of the reasons why this place always seems to be packed whenever I walk or drive past on the odd occasion, no matter what time of day or season. To be completely honest, I've never seen any of the locals eating here - there seems to be a lot more of the tourist crowd than anyone else. (Let me know if I am mistaken).

To put it simply, the food didn't have that 'wow' factor that I thought might be the reason for the attraction of the masses during tourist seasons. I felt that the meals were over-priced for the serving size, however the seafood was very fresh. Unfortunately, I didn't come away from this lunch feeling satisfied, and probably wouldn't try this place again. I would suggest taking a quick stroll further up the boardwalk to Pier One, anytime.

Chimichurri Oysters

 

Salt and pepper squid with salad and garlic aioli.

Lido Cafe & Bar, Belconnen ACT

Lido Cafe & Bar

Food: 3.5/5
Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5

Since my days as a Uni student, Lido still exists as the one cafe in the Belconnen Mall that has stood the test of time. It claims to be an Italian Restaurant, but my judgement consists of modern Australiancuisine with an Asian influence. What more could I ask for....?

Food establishments have come and gone over the last decade or so, and Lido still remains as I remember it.

The mall itself has been through some changes and extensions recently, with the addition of a second Food Court on Level 2. Yet even with this temptation, Lido Cafe is the place to eat if you want great value for money and fantastic, fresh meals in a relaxed environment, away from the bustling food courts.

Specials Board...literally.

Digital menu display.

 Skinny cappucino in a mug  $3.90

Penne Cajun Chicken - Chicken strips, sundried tomato, capsicum and onion mixed in Cajun cream, topped with shallots and Parmesan cheese  $18.90

Cajun Calamari Salad - Calamari dusted in Cajun spices (it wasn't dusted...it was battered) through a garden salad with a drizzle of lemon-sweet chilli dressing  $17.90

Grilled Chicken Salad  - Grilled chicken pieces served on a garden salad with honey and seeded mustard dressing  $17.90

Service area.

 Notice the origami?

Culinary Comments: Best Of 2011

My fav's from 2011.....

1. Pulp Kitchen, Ainslie ACT

2. Pier One Bar & Grill, Merimbula NSW

3. Wheeler's Oyster Farm & Restaurant, Merimbula NSW



4. Turkish Halal Pide House, Yarralumla ACT

5. Cafe Evolve, Bega NSW

What were some of your favourite dining establishments during 2011?