Deep Blue Bistro

The cuisine is ‘modern Australian with a native twist’ according to manager and sommelier, Richard Hargreave, who quickly had us sipping a sterling drop – the 2006 Palliser Estate Pinot Gris ($59). In the kitchen, chefs Wayne Farmer and David Lee do a wonderful job with strong French technique backing up good produce and imagination, especially where it comes to native ingredients. I’ve already eaten a lot of pork belly this year, but their Milk Braised Pork Belly ($17) served with sautéed pears & apple puree is one of the best I’ve tried. The Citrus Cured Salmon ($17) with pickled cucumber, herb cream, caper berries and lotus crisps was a wonderful (and innovative) combination. In fact there’s not much this team can’t handle ‘ al dente pasta and a spectacular lobster bisque foam made the Crispy Skin Salmon ($30) a winner; a hearty Lamb Navarin ($30) impressed; and the sticky Italian meringue with candied peel on the Lemon Curd, Lemon Meringue and Shortbread ($13) will drag me back, even if the promise of an Outback Degustation ($75/head, $100/wine) doesn’t! A sneaky taste of the degustation dessert (Quandong and Lemon Myrtle Roll with poached Muntaris) proved amazing! It’s a winning location too, with décor in a neutral costal colour scheme, backed up with good thematic photography by a local.

Deep Blue Bistro
Ground Floor ‘ Coogee View, 56 Carr Street, Coogee Beach
Ph: (02) 9315 8811
Modern Australian $$$-$$$$