You know when you’re going away for a beach break and you pray and pray for great weather? And then it’s all sunny all the way up to your trip and then it’s overcast when you’re there and then it’s sunny the day you leave? Yeah, that. That is exactly what happened last weekend when a few of my girlfriends and I decided to take a trip up to Terrigal for a quick 24 hour vitamin D boost. The day we arrived was absolute shit (‘scuse the French), but of course the day we leave, it’s all sunshine and phenomenal.
But we made the most of it, even if it meant having to go wander around Erina Fair shopping mall for a couple of hours 🙂
And of course there was food. We arrived famished and gorged ourselves on dirty pizza. But dinner was a more elegant affair at Seasalt Restaurant.
seared king salmon, pickled fennel, baby leaves, chives, lemon, orange & cardamom dressing
seared scallops, chilled leek & potato cream, crab remoulade, truffle dressing & gaufrette crisps
Five of us ordered the scallop entrée because it just sounded amazing. So many of my favourite things in one: scallop, leek, potato, crab and truffle!
rock lobster with linguini, chilli, garlic, truffle & olive tapenade
My friend Babs and I decided to splurge and order the market-priced lobster, which was well worth it. We opted for no mornay, but the lobster was still meaty and juicy.
Grainge rib eye cutlet with hand cut sauté market potato, lemon salt, sauce gribiche
grain fed beef t-bone with salad of beetroot crisps, fennel, roasted eschallots, sour dough,
green & cannellini beans, labna & cabernet vinegar dressing
New Zealand king salmon
Mandagery Creek venison rump, baby beets, spatzle, quinoa, hazelnuts,
watercress & bittersweet chocolate & berry jus
I ordered the trio of sorbets for dessert and was pretty disappointed. The flavours tasted processed and unnatural, but the other two desserts were fantastic, especially the banana & quince tart. I tell you, this is punishment for going for the “less unhealthy” option. Never again.
chocolate tasting plate: dark chocolate nemesis, caramel milk chocolate parfait,
warm chocolate soft centred fondant, white chocolate cream
trio of sorbets: coconut & kaffir lime sorbet, pineapple & mint salsa;
green apple sorbet & apple salad; strawberry sorbet, strawberries & orange syrup
banana & quince tart tatin & caramel milk chocolate parfait
The beauty of dining in the hotel you’re staying at is the ability to literally roll upstairs and into bed. Well, into bed to gossip the night away. Sunday morning we woke up to the blazing sun, cursed the weather gods and decided to eat breakfast in the sunshine.
Aromas on Sea had been recommended by a few people and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Huge outdoor dining space, beach front views and I mean, LOOK AT THIS:
bacon & egg burger with caramelised onion
That is one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever put in my mouth. Ample bacon, egg (I am still learning to embrace the runny egg), fresh salad and sweet sweeeeeeeeeeeet caramelised onion. With a side of hash brown, this is pretty much what my heaven looks like.
Taster breakfast (sausage, egg, bacon, mushrooms, tomato)
hot stack with grilled banana, ice cream and maple syrup
I had a great time with my girls, and it’s amazing how much better you bond and get to know each other when you spend 24 hours together. We shopped and got pampered and dressed for dinner – we shared clothes and accessories and make up and all those good girlie things you can’t do with your man at home – and talked and ate and laughed and… eventually passed out. Some sooner than others 😉
Seasalt Restaurant
Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Pine Tree Lane
Terrigal, NSW, 2260
(02) 4384 9133
website
Aromas on Sea
40 Terrigal Esplanade,
Terrigal, NSW, 2260
(02) 4384 3501
website
All this food looks fantastic! That dinner, those desserts and oh my gosh, that BREAKFAST! What a wonderful weekend you must have had!
It was great! If only the weather was nicer we could have laid on the beach all Saturday 🙂
Hehe I love it when you just go upstairs to get to bed. I never underestimate how lazy I am 😛
So nice to see you get away with your girlfriends. Pity about the weather but looks like you had fun anyway!
Lorraine: AND you can wear high high heels and not worry about walking far!
jenny: I know, we had a great time despite the weather so it was fine 🙂