LOCATIONWhale Beach on the northern peninsula, 50 minutes drive north from the CBD. Close to Palm Beach.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAFollowing in the tradition of water – or ripple – side restaurants, the latest addition to Bill Drakopoulos’ collection is housed at a white beach house on the very edge of the golden sands of Whale Beach. Working with its setting, Ripples Whale Beach fills a 150-seat alfresco dining area with crisp white tables, yellow Jansz buckets (just waiting for the bubbly to arrive) and a relaxed atmosphere. It also has a 100-seat breezy indoor area with an upstairs lounge retreat for private dining. This restaurant was simply designed to make the most of its location. But this treatment has not been restricted to the decor –the cocktail menu makes a fitting seaside companion with a selection that involves lychees, peaches, sparkling wines and ginger ales (not necessarily in combination).
Likewise the food menu suits the surroundings drifting from nibbly dishes like cantina loaves with virgin olive oil and
vino cotto to entrees that include freshly-opened oysters with cabernet mignonette dressing and grilled sardine fillets on a white bean,
piquillo pepper and soft egg salad. Mains present seafood choices like roast blue eye trevalla on carrot puree, baby leek and scallop sauce, pan-fried trout with warm beetroot, blood orange and
vino cotto and the irresistible beachside favourite of beer battered flathead with chips and homemade tartare. If you’re not a seafood lover you won’t be left beached – the menu also has a selection of non sea-oriented mains like roast duck breast on braised savoy cabbage with sour cherry jus. A dessert of poached peach and raspberry in
prosecco jelly, vanilla custard and amaretti biscuit, profiteroles with coffee cream and dark chocolate sauce or sheep’s milk yoghurt pannacotta with balsamic strawberries enjoyed with a cup of fragrant coffee (and the ever-present sea breeze) will see you through.
Agnes Gajewska
DETAILSripples Whale Beach is the fifth restaurant in the group owned by successful restaurateur Bill Drakopoulos. The restaurant joins successful sister waterside eateries Aqua Dining, ripples Milson’s Point, ripples Chowder Bay and ripples Sydney Wharf. The ongoing success of ripples is attributed to a winning formula of delicious affordable food, friendly efficient service and stunning waterside locations.
ripples Whale Beach located just metres from the golden sands of Sydney’s most beautiful surfing beach is set to open this month. Boasting a 150 seat alfresco restaurant including outdoor lounge bar, Beach House event space, upper level lounge retreat and traditional beachside kiosk, ripples Whale Beach promises a relaxed seaside outing synonymous with the lifestyle of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The original weatherboard beachside structure built in the early 1900s has been retained and received a modest upgrade maintaining its original charm. Guests are first greeted by a charming Aussie kiosk with pitched blue and grey roof. Seating from the main restaurant spills out onto the pavement and an elevated floor houses more relaxed lounge seating and low coffee tables. A South Hampton colour scheme of off whites and greys is used throughout the Beach House restaurant space, a simple five metre long marble bar punctuates the space. The original knotty pine and brush box floor has been refreshed and chairs and tables, also in neutral shades, allow guests to focus on the stunning location and ambience. At night the restaurant will be lit tiny crystal lamps dotted throughout the space.To the left an outdoor drinks bar serving innovative cocktails is sure to be a hit in summer. The relaxed bar is open to the beach fitted out with low relaxed seating, large beach umbrellas and banana lounges.
FOOD AND BEVERAGEOpen seven days per week, the ripples team will serve their ever popular breakfast menu, as well as an innovative Mediterranean lunch and dinner menu with strong seafood accent. The restaurant offers a fully licensed bar with extensive, accessibly priced wine list with 12 wines by the glass, as well as the popular ripples BYO option.
A loft bar will also offer private dining, an intimate lounge and uninterrupted views across Whale Beach.