Rick Stein at Bannisters, Mollymook, NSW

Fried whitebait and aioli

Since seeing Rick Stein's Fruits de Mer on Masterchef, I realised that he had a restaurant not too far from home. After a few years of trying, I finally made it to Rick Stein at Bannisters, Mollymook. And WOW, was it worth the wait! I was apprehensive that after looking forward to it for so long, I might be disappointed but if anything, the food (and the whole experience) actually exceeded my expectations.

Tuna sashimi with passionfruit 

Abalone with mirin dressing

From the second we set foot in the door, I felt welcome. It was such a pleasant (but all too uncommon) experience to eat somewhere that the staff seemed generally interested in you and making sure your experience was positive. Nobody rolled their eyes at us, nobody scoffed at our bad pronunciation of some dishes and most importantly, they all knew their food and seemed proud of what they were bringing out.

Lobster thermidor

Bourride with harissa toast 

The menu is, not surprisingly, heavy on the seafood. There was a good choice of both entrees and mains and I can't really say anything other than every bite was perfect and this was truly the best restaurant meal I have ever had. Every piece of seafood was tender and succulent, the flavours of each dish jumped out but didn't overwhelm. Amazing. And as someone who generally prefers savoury to sweet, what a shock I had when the dish of the night for me was the soft  meringue roulade - heaven on a plate!

Soft meringue roulade with macadamia cream and passionfruit

Chocolate pudding with salted caramel ice cream

The price of mains is around the $50 mark, entrees and desserts were from $20-$30. Given the quality of food and service as well as the great location, I think this is reasonable.

If you are visiting the south coast, Rick Stein at Bannisters is a cut above and well worth a visit.

Rick Stein at Bannisters is located at 191 Mitchell Parade, Mollymook. 

Mollymook is around three hours south of Sydney or two hours and forty minutes from Canberra.

PS - A big thanks to the team at Bannisters who sent me a signed copy of Rick's book!! Over the moon, stoked, love it!! x

Useful links:
 Rick Stein at Bannisters

 

Candelo Markets

The Candelo Market is held on the first Sunday each month on the banks of the Candelo River. It is easy to find sprawling across the park and also into the Candelo Town Hall. The only thing that may be difficult to find is a parking space nearby but there is plenty available if you are willing to walk for a block or two.

It is reputedly the biggest market on the south coast and the hype which surrounds this market is pretty justified. Even in the middle of winter when a lot of markets seem to shrink down to only the die-hard stall holders and shoppers, Candelo is still buzzing.

Fresh fruit and veges, Candelo Market

Glassware, Candelo Market 

Jewellery, Candelo Market

Fairy floss - Candelo Market

Hens for sale, Candelo Market

Candelo Market has such a huge variety of stalls, most of which offer some really unique and quality items - fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, sauces, small goods, fudge, poffertjes, spring rolls, fresh juice, coffee, toffee apples, nuts, honey....and that is just some of the food on offer. Then there are the mountains of plants including natives, fruit trees, succulents, seeds and indoor plants. There are hand made clothes, jewellery, wood furniture, glassware and seriously just about any thing else in between.

Fresh flowers, Candelo Market

Smallgoods,  Candelo Markey

Plants, Candelo Market

The other thing which made Candelo market so much fun was that everybody there seemed to be having a good time and everybody was friendly.

So when you are next in the market for pretty much anything you can imagine, you will probably be able to get it at Candelo Market.

Sauces, Candelo Market

Wooden furniture, Candelo Market 

Preserves and fragrances, Candelo market 

Spring rolls and Samosas, Candelo Markey 

Dutch Pancakes, Canelo Market

Goat milk soap, Candelo Market

Useful links:

Bega Valley.org - Candelo Market

Sapphire Coast - Candelo Market

eatstuff.blogspot.com's review - Candelo Market

Santa Fe, Merimbula

Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant, Merimbula

The style: Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant at Merimbula's style is what I have dubbed 'modern mariachi.' There were some really nice, sleek touches like the new bar area coupled side by side with sombreros and ponchos. May sound terrible but I really liked it - definitely not the usual 'every colour under the rainbow' look which Mexican restaurants tend to go for - Santa Fe has a more restrained, minimalist pinch of spice when it comes to its interior.

Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant, Merimbula

The taste: YUM. Not sure if one word is enough but it pretty much it says it all. The food was fresh, spritzy and actually really surprised me. I have never been to Mexico so I'm not sure what authentic Mexican food is - what I expected at Santa Fe was the usual nachos, burritos, fajitas type spread but it was actually more salads, fish and the like (although I did give in and get the nachos). The most positive thing I can say about Santa Fe is that every single person groaned with pleasure as they were eating and all went out of their way to tell the staff how good the food was.

Seared Tuna Steak Salad, Santa Fe, Merimbula

Nachos, Santa Fe Restaurant, Merimbula

The service: A+. So nice to eat somewhere that you aren't made to feel like a burden getting in the way of the wait-staff's social lives. The ladies who served us were super-friendly and smiling the whole time.

The view from Santa Fe Restaurant, Merimbula

The price: The lunch menu ranged from $15.90 for nachos to $22.90 for the fish of the day. Dinner will set you back between $19.90 and $25.90 for mains. Desserts are around the $12 mark and there is a kids menu too. Best of all the food is GOOD and well worth it.

Exterior of Santa Fe, Merimbula

The location: Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant is located at 23 Beach Street, Merimbula, NSW (just off the main shopping street). Merimbula is about one and a half hours from Cooma so its an easy day trip from the Snowy Mountains to the coast. 

Main Beach, Merimbula