In the early days of our relationship, Mr T and I spent a lot of weekends in Mollymook. Being on the South Coast, about 2 hours from Canberra (where we were living), we’d pile into the car on a Friday night after work and get down in time for Friday beers. It’s the key place I associate with the carefree days of my early to mid twenties.
We’re back now for an early birthday treat for Mr T. We’re much older, there are no golf bags in the boot, and we’re not sleeping in the single beds in the Twiss’s holiday house. Back then, the rules were nothing got eaten unless it could be cooked on the BBQ & eaten between a slice of bread. That’s changed too.
Where we’re staying…
Bannisters Pavillion. It’s a sister hotel to Bannisters By The Sea. The rooms are gorgeous and super-quiet.
I want this picture…
Where we visited…
Cupitt’s Winery just a few days down the road at Ulladulla.
The tasting room was an old creamery that dates back to 1850, but the restaurant is much newer than that.
On a sunny day though, the best spot is around the tables outside the tasting room.
Not a bad view, hey?
Where I walked…
From Bannisters along the beach and to the Golf Club at the far end of the beach.
In the distance there were whales doing the blowing thing they do, sending fine sprays into the air.
Perfect.
Where we ate…
Rick Stein at Bannisters.
I’m not normally much of a fan girl and am not the type to queue for an autograph and a photo. I had to once before when friends who did like queueing for celebrity chefs did so at a Good Food Show for a photo with Gordon Ramsay. When it was my turn, I told him that while it was exciting to meet him, I didn’t queue for anyone. He laughed and told me I’d made his day. Anyways, Rick Stein and Nigella would be exceptions to that rule.
We started with cocktails (that’s my negroni in the pic above) at the poolbar and a whale show you’d pay a fortune on a boat trip for. We watched as a whale repeatedly breached and waved his fin around for quite a while. It was simply thrilling.
Hubby had been worried that we’d be disappointed, when this turned out to be one of the most memorable meals we’ve had. Perhaps it was the whale show, but it was also the food. Every mouthful was fabulous.
For entree I had a green mango salad with crispy smoked trout and a tangy, spicy dressing. Hubby had a deep and intensely flavourful fish and shellfish soup- in the provencal style with croutons, gruyere and rouille on the side.
For mains, hubby went with the fish and chips and mushy peas and tartare sauce- after wrestling with the fact he was ordering fish and chips at Steins. He soon got over himself though, and declared it the best fish and chips he’d had.
I chose the Indonesian seafood curry served with my favourite salad in the whole world- that one the Balinese do with green beans and grated coconut.
We couldn’t fit in dessert, but because the hotel had sent through a message that we were there for the hubster’s birthday, this came out with the coffee- house made fudge and jellies.
And Anyways... 
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