IF you are looking for a restaurant-with-a-view it is hard to go past Manly Pavilion at West Esplanade Manly Cove,  with its vista across blue water out to Sydney’s North Heads.   It helps that the new chef, Andrea Corsi has come up with a fresh menu every bit as good as the view.  No wonder this is a spot that Sydneysiders flock to and visitors can’t believe is only a ferry ride away from Sydney CBD.

 Tuscan born Chef Andrea Corsi has a hipster beard and a huge heart. Just hearing him talk about food  - in that particular Italian way which conjurers up images of family, friendship and long lunches - makes you hungry before you’ve  sampled a single sauce.  Chef Andrea has a wealth of experience.  After learning his craft in Italian cuisine, he studied French cuisine under the guidance of Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in the UK before moving to Australia. It was here that he met Giovanni Pilu who would become his great friend and mentor. Chef Andrea worked with Pilu for a decade at both Cala Luna and Pilu at Freshwater. The delicious linguine vongole on the new menu is a homage to Giovanni says Chef Andrea, “I love him , he is my mentor”.

His enthusiasm for the restaurant is catching too. “For me, working in one of the most beautiful places in Sydney, if not the world, is just incredible. Coming to work each day is a pure pleasure. Producing food and drinks that successfully complement the location is a great delight and I love giving a little twist of Italy in this most Australian of settings.”

The building which houses the restaurant was built in 1933 by the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company and was originally a 'dressing room for the comfort of bathers’,  in the days when simply stripping off on the beach was distinctly de rigeur.  The heritage listed building retains some of the Art Deco features. These heritage features and the wide balcony with its panoramic harbour views make eating here feel like a special occasion even if all you are doing is popping in for weekend brunch in your Nikes after a Clontarf to Manly walk.  Sunday brunch is an institution at Manly Pavilion, with guests often combining their eggs with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary before settling in for a long session on the sun-soaked balcony.

Indeed the Manly Pavilion cocktails are a drawcard at any time. The head barman mixes his own syrups for the bespoke range served from the black-tiled bar (the Salted Caramel Expresso Martini is legendary, trust me on this one).  Plus the elevated bar platform is the perfect place for people-watching.  

Chef Andrea has sourced independent producers to incorporate the freshest seasonal produce with a variety of specials that reflect the best on the day.

Our favourites from the new menu include:

Starters

Mussels | Spicy Tomato Sauce | Sourdough 

Braised Octopus | Potato | Baby Capers | Cherry Tomato | Crusty Focaccia 

Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi | Tomato Velouté | Fresh Basil

Mains

Ribollita | Tuscan Vegetable Soup | Herbed Croutons

Roasted Eggplant | Pomegranate | Burnt Butter Labneh | Mint | Grains

Linguine | Vongole | Cherry Tomato | Chilli | Bottarga

Potato Gnocchi | Pork Ragu | Ricotta

Blue Eye Trevally Fillet | Steamed Greens | Confit Potato | Burnt Butter & Baby Caper Salsa

Dessert

Dark Chocolate Mousse | Plums Poached in Sparkling Shiraz

Lemongrass Panna Cotta | Ginger Crumble | Mango Sorbet

LUXURY LINKS: www.manlypavilion.com.au

Hilary Doling 9/8/16