BLUEWATER CAFE
Sydney, New South Wales

LOCATION Located in Manly. PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA Just a stone's throw from the water lapping on the shores of Manly beach, Blue Water is exceedingly popular with locals and visitors alike, which can make for a scarcity of tables during major meal times. That said, the service is prompt and friendly and the food is fabulous. Footpath tables soak up the sun and are a good vantage point from which to people-watch the parade of sun-kissed beach-types on their way to or from a quick dip in the ocean. The interior, with its wooden tables (some with bench seating) and old surf boards old-school beach photos lining the walls, can get noisy, so speak up if you want to be heard above the din. Until 11.30am each day you can breakfast on pancakes, French toast, bacon and eggs and the like. Lunch sees a selection of seafood, salads, wraps, grills and pasta dishes, or mains such as the crispy skinned salmon with salt and pepper prawns, Asian greens, Jasmine rice and a black bean, chilli and ginger dressing. For dinner, start with thinly sliced prosciutto with vine-ripened tomato, fresh basil, buffalo mozzarella and sweet balsamic glaze, followed by a main of Portuguese espatada (skewered sirloin with red wine chilli sauce) from the grill, the Thai red curry, or the ever reliable fish'n'chips. Shelley Hepworth