Hogan’s Wellington Point Hotel

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Having been refurbished in the last few years, the restaurant at Hogan’s Hotel is now modern and airy, with cooling cross breezes from open Costantino doors that lead out to a large veranda offering blue views of Moreton Bay. It’s also fully air-conditioned for those sticky Brisbane days when the air is still and close. Comfortable wicker chairs and wooden tables add to the al fresco feel. The place is great for coffee and cake during the day when it’s quiet; on weekend nights it’s rowdy and exciting for the young or young at heart.

At lunch, light meals include Aussie damper with a trio of dips. There always seems to be way too much dip for the amount of bread provided, but is that a bad thing? Seafood is always on the menu with fresh fish of the day, seared prawn and bug tail salad with strawberry dressing, and more. I liked the well-composed chicken breast fillet, with mushroom and herb cheese sauce and mashed potato. Although steak is a specialty and I’ve never had a tough piece, it’s often not cooked to the specification. My medium rare often comes quite blue. Still, service is consistently good and as a result the place is always full of friendly locals.

Susan Kirk