Location
So I am in beautiful Bondi Beach on this lovely Saturday afternoon. I have been longing for a casual beachside lunch for a while, but Sydney’s punishing winter weather has made it ever so difficult of late.
I capitalise on the respite from the cold to indulge my longing at the Bar next to Icebergs Dining Room. This is the view from the corner of the bar… it is quite stunning!
Drinks
I decide to start with a cocktail and then opt for a wine for go with lunch…
No 17: Campari, Rosemary Infused Antica Formula, Capi Sparkling Blood Orange Juice & Brothers Shiraz (2010), McLaren Vale, Australia
To start I have a cocktail… it’s the No 17, a winter special! There is something refreshing yet warming about this drink… think refreshing sweet blood orange with that gentle citrus dance on your tongue to start followed with the herby, aniseed, spicy bitterness of the Antica and Campari which sends that tingle down your spine while the freshness of the rosemary rounds things out. A little charmer of a drink.
Lunch
Spaghetti Alle Vongole
Think of delicious clams with their natural flavours on display, light herbs, fresh oil and seasoning mixed together with beautiful al dente pasta sprinkled with some bottarga and the citrus bite of the lemon. I work my way through the dish savouring every mouthful as the fresh sea breeze wafts in, like an energetic puppy dog, and coats my face with a little chill and gently strokes my hair. The glow of the sun through the windows provide some warmth and the saline minerality of the atmospheric salt is the perfect tonic to this blissful Saturday afternoon.
The Brothers Shiraz is a lovely wine… probably doesn’t quite pair with the main, but great on its own and I choose it for its independence. The wine has beautiful aromas of dark fruits, vanilla and spice to start. On the palate it has a sensuous mouthfeel, with a velvety texture and beautiful flavours of cherries, blackberries, and plums with some light hints of mocha and earth which have crept in over time and concludes with some exquisite tannins for a perfect finish. So rounds out the perfect lunch!
I finish with a gaze over beautiful Bondi Beach as I head off for the afternoon. I don’t think you get much better than this… I feel the stress and strain of week dissipates every minute I’m here. A wonderful casual lunch spot with a stunning view to match!
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