Pearls on the Beach – Pearl Beach, Central Coast NSW
Little did you know that A Table For Two actually turned one just over a month ago before I left for my vacation. I would like to thank you all for your support by keep dropping by at my little humble food blog regularly since day one. Especially the Sydney Foodbloggers who I’ve met and became very close friends with, I thank you for sharing the plate, the food and the laughs and looking forward to more outings with you guys!
ATFT has definitely show me the food scene out there that I have known very little about, and I am still gratefully learning and eating my way through the gastronomical journey. (Believe me, I haven’t been to Tetsuya’s! There, I said it.) That’s why I thought it would be a good idea for me to celebrate the 1st anniversary at Tetsuya’s. A phone call was made 3 months ago, and all I am told is to put my name on the waiting list.
So I did.
They never call back.
As predicted.
But that’s okay, I believe I will dine at Tetsuya’s one day, when the time is right. I wasn’t particularly in the mood to sit through a meal until 12am on that night. Perhaps all I could think of is the delicious food I am going to drown myself in when I am in Malaysia in two days time. But I do feel like a little celebration for this special day and decided to have it somewhere closer to home and booked a table for two at Pearls on the Beach.
Inspired by and located right on the waterfront of the charming pristine Pearl Beach, Pearls on the Beach definitely has the best seats in town on the Central Coast a restaurant has to offer. Scott Fox is the head chef in charge of the kitchen while Melissa Fox manages the restaurant and seems to know everyone’s name who walks through the door and greets them with a friendly smile. This team of husband and wife has won Pearls on the Beach the Best informal Australian contemporary restaurant 2008 both Central Coast and Regional categories, and Best restaurant of the Year 2008 in Central Coast, more reasons why I should be dining at this restaurant this evening and I am about to find out.
This “informal” contemporary restaurant has nothing casual about it what so ever. Apart from the uncomfortable flimsy plastic chairs; the dimly lit restaurant looks absolutely stunning and elegant with white linen tables across the whole floor, battery operated tealight candles flickering now and again.
Pearls on the Beach changes their menu according to seasons for the best produce they can lay their hands on. We go for the Winter Special menu which offers 2 courses plus a glass of wine for only $45 per person. It is probably the smart option where we still able to try a few variety dishes at a reasonable price.
We have some Ciabatta bread with extra virgin olive oil and pistachio dukkah to start. A nice soft bread eagerly to soak up the olive oil makes dipping into the dukkah and stick to the bread an easy task.
For starter, The Pom orders roast portabello mushroom crostini, topped with rocket, pine nuts and shaved grana padano, sits in the middle of some caramelised balsamic swirls. It looks really good and the Pom guarantees me it tasted just as divine as its presentation.
I simply can’t go pass a nice piece of pork belly, especially when it is cooked to perfection. The red braised pork belly is tender and flossy between layers of pork fat, it simply melts in my mouth. The tenderness of the pork is counteracted by a bed of crunchy Asian slaw in sesame mayonnaise and chili & palm sugar caramel dressing. This dish is the highlight of this evening for me. How I wish to order this dish as a main.
For main, the Pom goes for the grilled “Grainge” Black Angus sirloin. The beef is juicy with great flavour served with crushed peas and rosemary salt seasoned onion rings. The beef is cooked to medium well, that’s how the Pom likes it; it is about getting to the stage of overdone but remains its tenderness and flavour. But instead I have my eyes on those onion rings on top, encrusted in a light crispy batter, with a hint of rosemary fragrance really makes the simple onion rings somehow sophisticated.
I opt for the Roast hiramasa kingfish fillet with olive, fennel, red onion & green chilli salsa and liquid gremolata. The gremolata has a nice zesty tang flavour, works perfectly with the kingfish. While the salsa adds texture and flavour to the dish, the hiramasa kingfish is tad tacky on the teeth.
The dessert time is always something we both look forward to. The baked bitter sweet chocolate mousse is something I am not familiar with, as I was expecting airy, gooey thick chocolate mousse. Instead the baked version resembles a soft chocolate sponge cake. It is brought back to life with a good dollop of vanilla, orange zest cream and lots of chocolate sweetened ricotta.
The Pom’s Belgian dark chocolate & blackberry pudding looks more promising. The blackberry chocolate pudding is moist and rich, happily soaked in Belgian dark chocolate sauce, while the blackberry ripple yoghurt ice cream gives it a chilled tangy final touch. A perfect way to end a winter night feast.
Overall, I am pretty impressed with the food and service at Pearls on the Beach. The food is not overly refine but easily can be appreciated by everyone who is looking for a casual affair. We even have the privilege to have a history lesson from Melissa about the building where the restaurant currently sits.
The whole dining experience just like mum’s home cooking, it makes you feel contented and leaves a warm fuzzy feeling inside. A restaurant I can see myself keep going back over and over again.
Pearls on the Beach 1 Tourmaline Avenue Pearl Beach NSW 2256 P - (02) 4342 4400 Open Thursday to Sunday for lunch & dinner. Trading hours are extended during the summer holiday periods
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
Mum’s cooking? My mum never cooked like this! Looks beautiful Billy…I too am in awe of that pork belly!
.-= Peter G´s last blog ..The Wine Bar =-.
HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY BILLY! (is that how you spell it?).
Wow, can’t believe it’s been a year already! Keep up the good work and beautiful photos
.-= Karen´s last blog ..A lot can happen in 6 days… =-.
Happy Anniversary…nyam nyam!
.-= Foodhogger´s last blog ..ki =-.
Nice clean plating. Another one to the list of places to go when I come up to Sydney again.
.-= penny´s last blog ..Sup Kambing =-.
Happy Anniversary! I really enjoy this restaurant and have been fortunate in being able to visit during daytime for a Sunday. With the sun gleaming and the sound and sight of the waves at your table it really is an idilic spot. Part of the attraction in dining here is not only the restaurant and it’s friendly staff, but the journey to get to Pearls Beach. It’s off the beaten track and the hairpin bends, steep hills and forest strewn roads all just add to the adventure.
.-= Peter´s last blog ..Gmail crashes for millions of users =-.
Congrats and happy anno! I had a look at the menu and the prices look quite reasonable as well, very nice find mate.
.-= Howard´s last blog ..Merivale Winter Feast, Bistro CBD, Sydney =-.
oh happy birthday atablefortwo! (anc congrats billy on creating such a bee-yeu-tiful blog and maintaining it for a year!)
the meals here look delicious, and well priced for what you’re receiving. and you know what, i’d definitely prefer a quiet early evening with good food to a giant fancy meal that finishes at midnight
.-= shez´s last blog ..japaz =-.
Happy Bloggiversary! I agree, half the fun of blogging is meeting so many fabulous like-minded people. Here’s to many more years of deliciousness, except with all us hangers on you might have to change your blog name to A Table For Ten. lol
.-= Helen (grabyourfork)´s last blog ..Becasse, Sydney – Spring Dinner with Champagne =-.
a belated Happy Birthday!
gorgeous photos… i want those desserts!
Hopefully Tetsuya’s call soon.
.-= Iron Chef Shellie´s last blog ..Taste Festival 2009 =-.
pork belly looks like heaven on a plate. awesome photos!
.-= Simon Food Favourites´s last blog ..Albee’s Kitchen: Malaysian and Chinese, Campsie (16 August 2009) =-.
Happy blogiversary
Ahh there is the baked chocolate mousse, looks tasty! And that pork belly is so minnneee RARR (I would just order it thrice and put them together to form a main 
)
Congrats on your blog’s one year birthday! Loving your posts and gorgeous photos… keep it up!
Happy anniversary Billy!
Aww the pork belly! Feed me!!
Hey wanna go Tetsuya’s together some time soon?
.-= Yas´s last blog ..Late night cooking: Prawn Pancake =-.
Well, you are Greek and all I can think of your mum will definitely put on a good show! When should I come over?
Thanks Karen. You are not far behind!
Thanks !
Well it is outside Sydney, but is worth it.
yes yes. when you going to take me there again?
your shout this time!
Thanks Howard! Yeah that place is probably one of the best in town.
Thanks Shez! Thank you for keep dropping by too! I know what you mean right, a good quiet meal with good company always a win win!