Manly Pavilion
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Ever since I moved to Sydney, I've been noticing the demise and then the rebuild of the Manly Pavilion. I always thought it would be a fabulous spot to eat, and I was right.
Tucked away on the western side of Manly Wharf, the Manly Pavilion is secluded and peaceful. As soon as you enter, there is a warm ambiance that's enhanced by a semi-open fire (very difficult to walk past). Immediately, the view of the ocean is apparent and sweet; the Manly Pavilion has 180 degree views of the ocean.
The menu is suitable for a wide range of tastes but is probably classified as modern-Australian. As bread was served upon arrival, we didn't bother with an entree and skipped straight to the main course. We decided to share the lamb shoulder which arrived in-tact, on the bone and was delicately pulled-apart for us by the waitress. We could see straight away how tender the meat was.
It was delicious and filling. The accompanying potatoes and veggies matched beautifully.
When the dessert menu came past, we had a look but nothing really grabbed our attention. And anyway, we were quite satisfied after the lamb.
The service was fabulous - attentive but not stalkerish. The ambiance was perfect - warm and welcoming but not too loud.
There is one downfall - it's pricy so be prepared to cry as you put your credit card on the desk.
Food - 9/10 (1 point loss to unappealing desserts)
Ambiance - 10/10
Service - 10/10
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