UPDATED on January 14th 2016 – Last weekend I dined at Peats Bite for the third time, and I can honestly say it just gets better on every visit. Each time I build it up so much, I am worried that my friends who have not been before will be disappointed. I am finally starting to realise that this place is an institution which has stood the tests of time, and bar armageddon will always deliver outstanding food and service. And after 3 visits here, I can safely say it is my favourite Sydney restaurant, albeit a little bit out of the CBD (but that is part of the attraction).
On this occasion we were greeted off the water taxi with a Refreshing Rum cocktail. I am not normally a rum person, but this was extremely refreshing and went down a treat on the hot summer’s day.
The first courses to share consisted of Marinated mixed olives, Crusty sourdough with dukkah and a beetroot dip, Local oysters with salmon pearls, Crystal Bay tiger prawns with a dill and gherkin aioli, and Sesame crusted yellow fin tuna sashimi with a prawn cone and avocado cream. After a short break, it was onto individual plates of Oven roasted lamb cutlet, Duck breast salad, Rare beef fillet with potato rosti, Vanilla bean pannacotta with lemon curd, fresh berries and shortbread, before finishing with a yummy cheese plate from Binnorie Diary in the Hunter Valley, and tea or coffee. Oh, and we ordered a last minute refreshing jug of mojito too. Not sure what was in it exactly
If this sounds like a lot of food, it is. But don’t worry, they spread it out over about 5 hours. I would advise having a very small breakfast beforehand, and you probably won’t need dinner afterwards. You are free to have a wander or a swim in their pool in between courses. It costs $135 for the set degustation menu, plus $30 for water transfers. They also offer a children’s menu for just $15-30 depending on their age.
Tammy was there singing again, with her brother this time. And the whole restaurant joined in. But there was sadly no dancing. I think it was just too hot.
Please find details below of how to get there, but do not make the mistake of driving – the wine list is extensive and fairly priced. On the water taxi back to Brooklyn, we noticed that one of the larger groups had taken a couple of roadies with them for the boat journey – 2 bottles of Veuve to continue the celebrations! Peats Bite had even kindly given them some plastic wine glasses.
In summary, life does not get better than this! Peats Bite manages to easily pull off that fine balance between fine dining food and a relaxed atmosphere. The only downside was that we had to go back to the big smoke afterwards. Next time, I am hiring a house on the Hawkesbury River for the weekend, so the chillaxing can continue.
I first dined at Peat’s Bite in December 2011 and was blown away. Having raved about it to friends for over 3 years, I finally got to go back for a second visit last Saturday (17th January 2015) for a friend’s birthday. I was worried it would not live up to mine or their expectations. What if they had a new owner or chef? I need not have worried. It was even better this time!
It has to be the perfect place to take overseas and interstate visitors, as it is so different to anywhere they will have probably dined before…unless they live somewhere like Bali or Thailand. It is only accessible by a 20-minute seaplane or water taxi. They have their own boat and will pick you up from Brooklyn train station, Dangar Island, Berowra Waters and Spencer, for just $25 per person return trip.
The restaurant is literally on the Hawkesbury River, and has a very laidback and chilled out atmosphere, whilst the food is still fine dining. If you do not fancy catching the water taxi and train home or have drunk too much to drive, they also have 6 cottages on site (which sleep upto 4 people on 2 levels), as well as a swimming pool and BBQ area. The pool is also available to restaurant day guests, so make sure you take your swimmers. The wine list is mostly Australian and is extensive. Oh, and the delicious cocktail they serve you on arrival is available by the jug for $45.
The best bit? It’s hard to say, what with the outstanding and generous food, brilliant service and perfect location, but if push came to shove, I would have to say Tammy. She is not only the owner of the restaurant, but she also provides the live entertainment. If you are there celebrating a birthday or other special occasion, do let her know as she will help you celebrate in style! Five of us dined there and we all made a pact to go back for each of our birthdays this year – I have never felt the urge to do that before. Luckily our birthdays are in May, October and December, as they close over winter.
One tip: make sure you allow the whole day here – if you catch the train, you will probably leave Central about 10.45am and get to the restaurant about 12.15pm. After 7 delicious courses (plus an aperitif and tea/coffee), they will drop you off at Brooklyn train station at about 5.30pm.
I cannot honestly think of a better way to spend a leisurely day with friends.
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