Eating Out – Cronulla

Reporter: Mel Symons

Zimzala

Overlooking the rolling waves of South Cronulla Beach, Zimzala offers alfresco dining with unsurpassed ocean views. You have the option to dine indoors but let’s face it, when the scenery’s this good the beach is hard to resist!

So is the menu with entrées like garlic prawns with coriander butter; and steamed mussels with tomato and chilli broth, winter herbs, and shaved parmesan.

Mains include more sumptuous seafood dishes such as Thai style whole Good Fortune Bay barramundi with nam jim and Asian greens; and the house-made angel hair pasta with blue swimmer crab, basil, vine ripened cherry tomatoes, and garlic dressing.

Be tempted with dessert and order the caramel apple tarte tatin with French butter sauce and vanilla bean ice-cream. Or if you want to sample everything, bring on the dessert tasting plate filled with the chef’s selection of the restaurant’s sweet offerings.

Cronulla Beach is ideal for a languorous lunch, and if you want to dine in casual and chic surrounds, Zimzala is the place to do it.

Prices correct as at 26/09/09

Sealevel Restaurant & Bar

Sealevel Restaurant & Bar is superbly appointed just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Cronulla Beach.

Opened in 1997 and having recently undergone a major refurbishment, this family run business brings a new appreciation to the term ‘beachfront dining.’

The menu features Modern Australian dishes that incorporate Italian and French influences. Kick off with the seared Japanese scallops; or pig out on the crispy pork belly served with fennel puree and orange, Pernod and star anise sauce. If you’re after more seafood, the barbecued chilli prawns with fondant potato, asparagus, confit cherry tomatoes & shellfish sauce are simply delicious.

For mains, you can’t go past their crispy skin duck with poached tamerillo and blood orange salad, sweet shaoxing sauce and tomato & chilli jam; or their incredible seafood platter with half lobster mornay, Sydney rock oysters, fresh blue swimmer crab, Balmain bugs, smoked salmon, fresh and barbecued prawns, scallops, beer battered fish, barbecued octopus, salt & pepper squid, tropical fruit, and chips.

Enjoy the view and digest while you decide on dessert. Favourites include the vanilla bean panna cotta with cherry and hazelnut financier; and a wickedly rich dark chocolate tart with dulche de leche and white chocolate gelato.

For an exquisite seaside dining experience, book your table at Sealevel Restaurant & Bar.

Prices correct as at 26/09/09