I just love Papi Chulo in Manly – it’s one of my favourite restaurants in Sydney. I have spent many a Saturday afternoon chilling by a bar next to the window sipping on a creative cocktail / glass wine and enjoying some smoky meats from their Charcoal BBQ while casting an idyllic gaze across Manly Wharf.
Today they had their first birthday celebrations and I was super excited to be there to celebrate a wonderful addition to Sydney’s dining scene.
Cocktails / Wine
When I get there, the sun is shining over Manly Wharf and indeed a cocktail is in order to chill and unwind on this beautiful summer day.
Cravado
I opt for the Cravado on arrival which is a lovely frozen blend of Vodka, coconut water, lychees, fresh mint and lime. Super refreshing with a lovely mint flavour which carries the drink! If I close my eyes I almost feel like I am in the Caribbean!
The cocktails continue to flow for the rest of the night… making my journey home after the night a little interesting :)!
Brambles with a Splash of Chambord
Wines
Being a West Aussie, nothing excites me more than a Margaret River Shiraz. Its a rich juicy wine with full fruit flavours of mulberries and currants with lovely hints of spice in the finish to make this a full savoury red to pair with the BBQ meats.
Cape Mentelle, Shiraz, Margaret River (WA)
Seafood Bar
The beautiful buffet of fresh seafood has my name on it… oysters, sashimi and lovely shellfish. Its just such beautiful set-up that is just as captivating as the view of the wharf.
Hiramasa kingfish ceviche with pineapple and jalapeño
The ceviche is mixed with beautiful sweet fruit flavour balanced with some spice to provide a kick for the perfect ying yang experience.
Issan style prawn ceviche, cucumber, coriander
The sauce “cooks” the prawn slightly on the edges while leaving the succulent natural flavour of the prawn intact in the middle. The cucumber adds a lovely cooling effect to the spice of the dish.
Snowcrab, green mango, watermelon, herbs, peanuts, chilli lime dressing
A gem of a dish, the sweet snow crab meat, juicy sweet watermelon, the herbs and citrus streak of the green mango followed by the spicy tang of the dressing and the lovely crunch of the peanuts!
Southern rock lobster ceviche with coconut, cucumber, chilli and mango
The sweet lobster meat is paired with the sweetness of the mango and spice of chilli form the perfect fusion alongside the cool refreshing taste of the cucumber.
Yellowfin Tuna and Hiramasa Kingfish Sashimi
Simple natural flavours of the tuna and kingfish shine as they are meant to – simplicity can mean perfection!
Oysters
The oysters look simply delish – alas I didn’t try them 🙁
Hokkaido scallop sashimi, tobiko, grilled corn, jalapeño, avocado
This is a masterpiece…beautiful succulent scallops with the creamy avocado, the spicy kick of the jalapeño, the lovely crunchy corn and of course the burst of the salty “taste of the deep blue” of the tobiko.
Grill & Rotisserie
Papi Chulo is a smokehouse Grill, so there had to be a mix of beautiful smoky flavours of BBQ meats to round out the experience. There is certainly a selection for all tastes.
Ranger’s Valley Wagyu Brisket and Grass Fed Shortribs
I am not a huge fan of pork, so I opt for the beef options.
The smoky wagyu brisket is beautiful and super tender with a release the full rich oily juices of the Wagyu over your tongue on first bite while retaining its smoky flavour of the BBQ.
The ribs have this wonderful rich flavour with a lovely texture of the soft tendons which makes it just a little special. They just fall apart on your tongue and make you a little weak at the knees (don’t eat them while standing up!).
Canapes
And you don’t need to be standing by the buffet for beautiful food, a stream of appetizing canapes are brought out throughout the night by the beautiful team… here are some of them
Smoked Hot Wings with Comeback Sauce
The beautiful succulent chicken wings with the crispy coating is matched perfectly with a creamy but super spicy Comeback sauce! One of those canapes which is difficult to eat without embarrassing yourself, but oh so worth it! I didn’t spill any sauce on my shirt – I promise 🙂
Hashbrowns with Yasa caviar
The wonderful crunchy hashbrown base reveals the moist fluffy potato which is suddenly dominated when your tongue is touched by the salty fresh taste of the sea from the caviar. Its a super delightful tasting experience that leaves one simply breathless.
Empanada filled with wild greens and heidi raclette, tomato jam
Now how do I describe these gems? The creamy “its oh so rich” sensation of the heidi raclette with the herby flavour of the wild greens dance on the tongue while the flakey, crumbly empanada casing releases a messy wheaty feel in your mouth! When its paired with the sweet spice of the tomato jam the whole thing is just heaven on your taste buds.
Birthday Cake
It wouldn’t be a birthday without a cake. There are two wonderful cakes and a blow torch to light the sparklers to cap off the celebrations! The crowd remains chilled and the sun begins to set drawing a close to a wonderful night of celebrations!
I just love this place, and I am sure you can tell why… wonderful friendly staff, good food, chilled cocktails & wine and a spectacular view to match! Its the place to be – Happy Birthday Papi Chulo!