FOOD & DRINK WHAT'S ON

Bowlo Bistros and Club Brasseries Serve up Summer

By

Narrell Tabone

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The good ole Club bistro is alive and well on the south coast, there’s always one close by and some of them are a foodie’s paradise.

Summer is peak season for family-friendly dinners and sharing a meal with a big group of friends. For these festive occasions you really can’t beat a bistro at a local club, and Jervis Bay has plenty on offer. From a char-grilled steak to a seafood spread, a pizza or a kids special, our club dining venues are hot spots over the summer holidays – some require a booking so make sure you check with their socials for opening hours and reservations.

Best of all there’s no need to fuss about splitting the bill – get your own buzzer and order your own drinks from the bar. 

Bayview Bistro at Club Jervis Bay, Huskisson

This is the cream of the crop – especially for its waterfront location in the heart of the Bay. Set in Voyager Park right next to the Huskisson Wharf, Club JB has a long glass frontage with great views across the iconic spit and beyond. There’s an outdoor seating area on the far end of the waterfront which is the choice location for a weekend brekky.

The view across Voyager Park from Club Jervis Bay in Huskisson
Club Jervis Bay has the best waterfront views, especially for a weekend breakfast this summer. Photo: Club Jervis Bay

The Bayview Bistro is consistently good, backed up by regular visits from locals. There’s weekly roasts, char-grilled steaks of course, pasta specials, fresh seafood and fish specials, seniors discount and a kids menu.

The club also offers a pizza menu from The Cheesy Grin, a café and even a weekend Brekky menu from 7-10am with all your cook-up favourites.

https://clubjervisbay.com.au/dining-and-bar/

The Peninsula Brasserie at Currarong Bowling & Recreation Club

The brasserie was a welcome new addition to Currarong earlier this year. Mexican Mondays, great cocktails and seafood specials are all part of the flavour. 

Did someone say Lobster Rolls?

Today is the last day to pre-order these little special treats to take home for Chrissy lunch – reserve your rolls by COB today and pickup by noon on Christmas eve.

Seafood specials including lobster rolls at Peninsular Brasserie in Currarong
House made rolls and special sauce make the sell-out Lobster Rolls the pick of the menu at Peninsular Brasserie in Currarong. Photo: Peninsular Brasserie

The signature lobster rolls, with house-made rolls and special sauce, are usually available as part of the brasserie’s Sunday seafood menu, with a focus on locally sourced produce.

Bookings are essential especially during the peak summer months.

https://currarongclub.com.au/

The Growers Shoalhaven at Worrigee Sports

Special mention for this bistro because it’s a destination itself. The Growers is set in a tranquil rural location, with a relaxing vibe created by renowned hospo consultants Tully Heard and paddock-to-plate menu by new head chef, Richard Brown who joined from Admiralty House in Darwin earlier this year.

Local seafood, share plates and a weekend smokehouse are the highlights of The Growers menu.

Naturally they do pizzas, kids plates and check out their socials for special events like Christmas lunches.

The Growers restaurant at the Worrigee Sports Club
Paddock-to-plate dining and the coastal country location are some of the great aspects of The Growers at Worrigee Sports Club. Photo: The Growers

The venue’s dining philosophy is also seen in their bio-sustainable kitchen garden on-site and drinks from local brewers and distillers.

https://www.thegrowersshoalhaven.com.au/

Lemontree Bistro at Culburra Bowlo

The dining rooms at the Culburra Bowlo are open and spacious with fun coastal décor including a wall of surfboards and friendly staff – you feel like you’ve arrived at your holiday destination. The current menu is fairly new from a new team in the kitchen and covers club bistro favourites (it was previously a Chinese menu). A great location for large groups, there’s an outdoor balcony area and even a kids’ playground outside next to the bowling greens.

We tried a few gluten free options from the entrée list including the salt & pepper squid with sriracha aioli, the beef & bean nachos and sticky Korean wings, and quite enjoyed them. Our GF diner was pleased to see so many choices.

Alongside the bistro, Prince Eddie’s covers pizza and gelato, and the café has hot chips and other morsels from the deep fry, sangas and of course hot beverages.

https://culburrabowling.com.au/the-lemon-tree/

Beach & Bay Bistro at Club Callala

There are few choices for dining out in this laid-back seaside village, and the bistro at the club is a very popular one so booking a table is highly recommended during the summer holiday season.

From the entry foyer head right into the bistro. The grill and seafood options are highly recommended. There’s a good pizza menu and kids options with a free ice cream, along with salads, burgers and schnitties. There’s a huge dining room, a big dining room and a small dining room – a place for every group.

https://www.clubcallala.com.au/

Additional reporting from Samantha Tannous

Narrell Tabone

Narrell Tabone is the hospitality editor at Jervis Bay Weekend. The food service industry is in her DNA, growing up in the family business of small goods and butchery supply in New Zealand. She has also been a business owner in the wellbeing sector. Narrell’s passion for food has taken her on a worldwide culinary journey, from celebrity chef cruises and gourmet food safaris, to working with local seafood business, Jervis Bay Shellfish Market as part of their events team. She enjoys hosting paella masterclasses for intimate gatherings and is a champion of producers, chefs and food-orientated businesses around the South Coast.