Manly Grill

LOCATION
A three-minute walk from Manly Corso, opposite Manly beach.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Although Manly Grill appears quite demure, prim and proper from the outside – softly-lit split-level seating areas, brown banquettes, views over the ocean …that kind of thing – this restaurant should be reserved for when you feel your Flinstone appetite calling. The portions here are large and they’re not afraid to stun you into awed silence. Keep this in mind when considering entrees like oysters, seafood chowder and baked scallops.

Unsurprisingly, the speciality at Manly Grill is the “from the grill” selection (with seafood coming in at a close second). Here you’ll find Black Angus, Kobe Wagyu and John Dee steaks appropriately aged and ready for the eating, alongside a kangaroo fillet, Portuguese-style Peri-Peri chicken and a selection of ribs – pork, beef or lamb. There is also a range of combinations like “ribs and ribs”, “steak and ribs” and “chicken and ribs” for you to choose from. If your heart rests more with seafood, you may prefer to indulge in mains like chilled half lobster or yellowfin tuna steak grilled with lemon and olive oil or dive into a decadent chilled seafood platter (lobster, Moreton bay bugs, oysters, prawns, scallops, caviar, salmon and tuna served with lemon and lime wedges, shallot oyster dressing, soy, wasabi as well as cocktail and tartare sauces). No matter what your selection (even if you opt for a “light meal” like a burger or fish and chips) prepare for a procession of waiters displaying Olympic heavyweight potential bringing it to your table. Then put that healthy appetite to some good use as you sip a glass of wine, admire the views and quietly wonder whether you’ll ever feel hungry again.

Agnes Gajewska, 2010