I have found a new venture that allows me to indulge in three great, yet simple, pleasures: eating outside, lovely views and cereal.
The Ocean Shores Country Club has built a new deck and it overlooks the sea. The club’s restaurant, Coast, is rapt with the deck’s design – a half-circle tastefully combining polished concrete, wood and stone – and has responded by opening for breakfast. You can choose to sit in the shade under the deck’s roof or up on high tables to soak up the sun as well as the view (and, if you’re lucky, a bit of whale spotting).
In fact, on one morning last week we were told that no fewer than five whales were spotted, with the whales expected to come even closer to shore on their way home.
There is a great range of options with which to break your fast. As you might have gathered from my love of cereal, I prefer simple breakfast fare, so jumped at the homemade granola (laden with whole hazelnuts and dried figs) with stewed fruit, adding Greek yoghurt to further ‘up’ the yum factor. For those with heartier morning appetites, regular eggs are on offer, or you can spice it up with Spanish-style eggs or with dukkah-roasted pumpkin. The homemade baked beans are delicious and plentiful.
Carl Barnes and Rachael Bezett have managed Coast restaurant since late last year and are open to further changes, with longer hours and menu changes up for grabs depending on demand and feedback. With Carl’s cheffing background in functions, movie-location catering, and fine dining (including at The Ivy in London and working with Marco Pierre White), they are also keen to get word out about the deck’s great capacity for functions.
If breakfast out is not your thing, the deck is open the rest of the day for coffee and cake, as well as lunch and dinner – though at dinner, not only is there no cereal on the menu, I find it hard to choose between the two outdoor dining options – the sea views from the deck and the hinterland sunset views from the other side of the restaurant.
Breakfast on the deck is available every day 8am–noon. Times may change as the weather warms, so check out www.oceanshorescc.com.au.
