Watsons Bay Hotel
A million dollar harbour view, staff in cute sailor outfits, beach umbrellas more colourful than a Ken Done calendar, what could possibly go wrong? Well, the food, that’s what. And it wasn’t just the twenty-minute wait to place my order on a sunny Sunday, nestled between a shuttle board and a group of angry Eastern Suburbs mothers. The food arrived all at once – and quicker than the line-up, it became apparent I was paying for the view. The Hummus and Turkish Bread ($18) was average and certainly overpriced. While the Watto Beef Burger ($20) was takeaway joint quality, not to say it wasn’t tasty with its garlic aioli and jalapeno filling, but it was slightly cold and came with thrice-cooked chips. The Salmon Cutlet ($26) was the winner with its citrus and radish salad, and the Pumpkin and Chickpea Salad ($20) had layers of flavour. A few glasses of Devil’s Corner Sparkling ($32/bottle) later gazing over the harbour it became obvious the Watto is trying to steer itself away from the usual Watsons Bay crowd of fish-and-chip-families. The DJs, Sunday Sessions cocktail carafes and quirky furnishings should do the trick – fickle eaters content with boozy sunsets will love it.
Watsons Bay Hotel
1 Military Road, Watsons Bay
Ph: (02) 9337 5444 watsonsbayhotel.com.au
Pub Bistro $$
