Deck Bistro at Manly Skiff Sailing Club

LOCATION
On the corner of Esplanade and Stuart Streets.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
First impressions of Deck Bistro aren’t overwhelming. The restaurant, which is situated inside Manly Skiff Sailing Club, sits behind the sports bar. It is a counter-service bistro with a menu displayed fish-‘n-chip-shop-style above the counter, opposite a large television screen and chattering sports fans. But if you walk a bit further in, BAM! The views hit you. This is because the restaurant occupies the waterfront deck of the club; a deck which just happens to have some of the best scenery in Manly. Amazingly, the restaurant is unbelievably affordable and maintains a casual, unpretentious coolness about its setting.

The menu is modern Australian meets pub grub. Understandably, since Decks Bistro is so close to the water, seafood plays an important role. Because of this, a good way to start your meal is with a dozen natural Sydney rock oysters or perhaps some salt and pepper calamari tossed with wild rocket, Parmesan and creamy balsamic dressing. These can be followed up with beer battered fish and chips or a grilled New Zealand lemon sole (finished in the oven with garlic butter and served with chips and salad). If you’ve got some dining companions, the “Skiffies mixed seafood platter” is the way to go. This mountain of seafood offers oysters, Tasmanian scallops, king prawns, lemon pepper calamari, battered fish, prawn cutlets, chips and salad. It is best shared between two or three people…and you probably won’t need entrees. If you’re not seafood inclined, there are plenty of other choices. Perhaps a John Dee silver rump with chips, spaghetti with homemade meatballs, a vegetarian risotto, one of the pizzas or pastas might tempt? Grab a bottle of wine from the deck bar, a table on the pier and enjoy the magnificent views at incredible prices.

Agnes Gajewska