We have discovered the perfect mid-week cosy winter warmers right here in Jervis Bay, with inspiration from around the globe. It’s great to come home after seven weeks exploring food around Europe to find these hearty and delicious options waiting for me!
Spice Up Your Winter for Less
Taj Indian Restaurant in Huskisson is warming hearts and plates this winter with a local’s deal that’s hard to resist. Every Thursday throughout July and August, locals receive 10% off their total bill, a small but meaningful thank-you from owners Arron and Emily for our continued support during the quieter season. Show your ID with “2540” postcode to receive the discount on dine-in and takeaway orders.
The winter menu is packed with comfort-driven flavours, full of spice and soul. One standout is the Burrata $23, a silky orb of cheese paired with a crisp spiced potato patty with apricots, spices, chilli oil and curry leaves sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and extra spices. It’s rich, crunchy and absolutely worth slowing down for.
The menu offers something for every appetite, with vegetarian favourites like dal makhani $24.90, which can be made vegan on request. Chicken curries are $30.90, lamb and seafood options are $32.90 and paneer dishes $26.90, which means all your winter cravings are covered.
Front-of-house manager Emily shares that Taj’s dishes don’t just taste good, they’re also packed with natural immune-boosting properties.
“We use high-quality spices that have been used for centuries for their health benefits. It’s food that makes you feel good from the inside out.”
Perfect timing, really, as the chill sets in and we all look for reasons to step out midweek.
A Taste of Mexico in the Heart of Huskisson
There’s something about a bowl of soup that feels like a warm hug, and Bud’s Tavern in Huskisson has mastered the art of comfort in a bowl with their Spicy Mexican Soup. Priced at $18, it’s everything you’d want on a chilly winter’s day – deeply flavoured, a touch fiery, and undeniably satisfying.
The kitchen journey begins with ripe tomatoes and sweet corn, chargrilled until just blackened to unlock a smoky depth. This is layered with classic Mexican spices – chilli, coriander and garlic – then simmered in a rich homemade stock that ties it all together beautifully. Served with a slice of chargrilled sourdough, it’s a dish that balances boldness with heart.
Cathy Mileto, the heart behind Bud’s menu, shares her connection to this warming favourite. “It’s one of my personal go-tos,” she says. “I’ve been lucky enough to visit Mexico a few times, and I just fell in love with the way they use flavour – nothing is bland, everything is vibrant. A bit of spice on a cold day really hits the spot. And as someone who could eat soup every day of the week, this one never gets old.”
If you’re after something that warms you from the inside out with just the right amount of kick, this winter warmer is well worth the stop.
Winter on a Plate with Seasonal Pairings
There’s something especially inviting about a mid-week visit to the Huskisson Hotel in winter, where Executive Chef Anthony Telford and his team are serving up comfort with flavour, anchored in quality local produce and clever seasonal pairings.
Begin with the Twice-Baked Crab Soufflé, which I personally rate highly. It arrives nestled in a delicate champagne cream, with sesame seeds for texture, a drizzle of lobster oil for depth, and a scatter of chervil to brighten the palate. It’s light, rich and warming, a dish that says you’re in good hands.
For mains, the Rigatoni Lamb Ragu ‘al Cartoccio’ is a standout. Local Pasta Buoy rigatoni is tossed through a savoury, slow-cooked lamb ragu layered with red wine and cacao, then baked in paper and crowned with ricotta salata. It’s rustic and generous, the epitome of winter in a bowl.
To finish, Anthony recommends the classic winter dessert, Sticky Date Pudding, lightly spiced and just the right kind of dense, served with warm butterscotch sauce and a scoop of vanilla gelato by Gelato Buoy.
With the Bay just beyond the windows and a menu that leans into winter’s best comforts, it’s the kind of place you won’t need convincing to visit, midweek or otherwise.
A Taste of the Mediterranean Coast
If you’re looking for another excuse to get out mid-week this winter, Sandbar in Huskisson has just the thing. Their new mid-week warmers come in the form of a generous seven-course tapas-style menu, running Wednesday and Thursday nights for just $30 per person, plus $35 for jugs of house-made sangria.
Think warm local olives, hand-floured whitebait with zesty lemon mayo, flame-grilled chorizo, patatas bravas, crumbed mushrooms, slow-cooked Basque chicken, and to finish on a sweet note, there’s house-made churros with silky chocolate sauce.
Head Chef Jason Wilkinson says the inspiration behind the tapas menus is purely to provide the local community the opportunity to enjoy a local venue at reasonable prices. “Whether it’s tapas, Greek mezze, burgers and ribs or our two-course special, the entire philosophy behind our ‘locals nights’ is to create a communal, sharing social space where we can all come together and enjoy a fun night catching up with friends and family,” he says.
“So far we’ve seen plenty of tables of four turn into six, eight or even 10 once they arrive and realise their friends are sitting across the room.”
For Jason, the flavours of the Mediterranean are a huge part of the experience. “Salty, sweet, spicy but most importantly, they encourage sharing and socialising as that’s a huge part of their culture,” he says. “As a host, I always look forward to making sure everyone feels comfortable, relaxed and well fed.”
Jason also enjoys seeing people reconnect with travel memories through food. “I always enjoy doing evenings of a specific part of the world and getting to watch people re-live a special holiday or experience a long-forgotten memory that comes rushing to their minds when they see or taste a food they were able to enjoy in its homeland at some point in time.”
Midweek at Sandbar isn’t just dinner; it’s a reminder that good food is better when shared.
All You Can Eat Tuesday and Wednesday
If midweek dinners are feeling a little same-same, here’s something to spice things up. Starting next week, settle in for an all-you-can-eat experience every Tuesday and Wednesday for just $40 per person at Huskisson’s AK Dragon Malaysian Restaurant & Bar from 5 pm to 9pm.
The idea is simple: order what you like from the menu – multiple entrees and mains – then go again once you’ve cleared your plate. Craving their Malayasian style satay chicken skewers followed by Mongolian beef? Or maybe salt & pepper squid, then a round of crispy pork belly that’s been carefully marinated for hours and cooked to perfection?
Owner and Chef Alex shares, as long as there’s no wastage, you’re welcome to keep exploring the menu.
“We want people to enjoy everything but not waste anything,” says the chef. “That’s the only rule: finish what you’ve ordered before trying something new.”
Dishes that sit outside the offer are the oysters and whole fish, partly due to seasonal pricing and the specials board dishes as these rotate weekly and often feature premium ingredients.
And while desserts aren’t part of the $40 deal, they’re available to order separately if you’re in the mood for something sweet to finish.
It’s a great way to explore the menu, revisit favourites or gather with friends for a relaxed midweek dinner, without breaking the budget.
Call to book (02) 44415839.
Midweek Italian Comforts
As part of this week’s round-up of midweek winter meals worth venturing out for, family favourite La Vespa Italian Restaurant in at Vincentia Shopping Village is offering a generous love letter to Italian comfort food: choose any pasta or pizza for $25, every Wednesday and Thursday.
The menu brings together time-honoured Italian favourites, from handmade ravioli, soft gnocchi, fettuccine or classic spaghetti, with sauces ranging from a velvety Alfredo to a rich ragu or something more unexpected like the house limoncello.
If pizza’s your pick, options span from Margherita and Parma to Vegetarian and Meat Lovers, with seasonal additions like Four Cheese with pistachio or Limoncello with gorgonzola and mascarpone.
To complete the meal, a chocolate mousse-filled cannolo is included, a sweet nod to tradition and the perfect way to end your evening.
Comforting, flavourful and thoughtfully put together, it’s an ideal way to bring a little warmth to your week.
Bookings are essential, online or call (02) 4441 6651.
