Nothing says “be my Valentine” like a candle-lit dinner for two, and these Jervis Bay restaurants are turning up the romance for you and your beloved next Friday 14 February. We spoke to the chefs at some South Coast love hot-spots to see what’s on the menu.
Chefs on the South Coast are creating memorable menus to help you celebrate romance, whether you’re planning a first date, rekindling the spark with your long-term partner or gathering your favourite people for a night of indulgence. If you like the sound of red velvet love cake for two with a signature cocktail or ricotta honey-stuffed zucchini flowers encased in a light batter of crispiness, or perhaps a classic lovers seafood platter loaded with fruits of the sea, our chefs know how to set your taste buds atingle.
Here are some exceptional dining options to help you make the most of the occasion.
Love, Food & Always Good Vibes at Sandbar Huskisson
Head Chef Jason Wilkinson and his team have created the perfect two-course menu for $55 per person featuring share plates for you and your beloved, like the freshest kingfish ceviche, miso pork belly bites that melt in your mouth with a little after-crunch from the crackling, ricotta & honey-stuffed zucchini flowers deep fried in a wafer-crisp batter – no one makes this delicate dish as good as these guys.
For mains, choose from tender wagyu rump with braised mushrooms and fondant potatoes, crispy-skinned salmon with charred fennel, or veggie-friendly sweet potato & ricotta-stuffed zucchini flowers. There are offerings of charred broccolini with pinto beans and seeds for our vegans and vegetarians, plus GF options.
For the sweetest finale choose between two desserts for an extra $25, burnt passionfruit curd or a decadent salted caramel macadamia semifreddo. Pair with a strawberry Bellini, $15, that classic beverage created in the most romantic city of all, Venice.
Chef Jason says: “The kingfish ceviche is the best we’ve had in years. And the miso pork belly bites? Too good to leave off the menu!”
Bookings are essential, reserve your table on their website.
The Italian Love Experience at Peter & Eva Huskisson
Toast your love with a Valentino’s cocktail at this restaurant in the heart of Huskisson, as part of a three-course menu for $80 pp. Peter & Eva’s well-earned reputation for freshness, authenticity and hospitality will spread its warm glow over your evening, when you choose from entrees such as creamy burrata with anchovies and sweet cherry tomatoes or tempura zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, which provide the lightest crunch with every bite. Alternatively, a serving of beef carpaccio topped with rocket and parmesan flakes delivering a perfect harmony of textures and tastes.
Mains include handmade gnocchi coated in the chef’s signature basil pesto, a tasty twist on a classic pasta, or a truffle and mushroom wood fired pizza that elevates the familiar or an authentic Italian risotto featuring fresh prawns and zucchini, meticulously prepared for risotto enthusiasts.
To finish, a tiramisu that we consider one of the best we have ever tasted, or a silky chocolate or classic panna cotta with that unmistakable wobble, or a Sicilian cannoli that promises memorable bites.
Reserve your table online and let the romance unfold!
Valentines by the Bay at The Huskisson Hotel
It doesn’t get more romantic that a Red Velvet Love Cake for Two paired with a Summer Fling signature cocktail, $25, designed to set your taste buds alight at the Huskisson Hotel this Valentines Day.
Chef Anthony Telford also recommends their sensational seafood tower special Valentines edition, along with a dozen delicious seafood dishes straight from the bistro kitchen. Not to mention the stunning views across the Bay as twilight settles its soft focus for your evening.
There’s plenty of other dishes on the bistro menu including hearty pastas and vibrant salads plus beloved pub classics, vegetarian and GF options.
Book a table in the Waterfront Bar for the best ambience.
Seafood for Two at Club Jervis Bay
For true waterfront dining in Huskisson, the Bayview Bistro at Club Jervis Bay is dishing up a special Valentines seafood platter for two including a bottle of wine (or bubbles), $150 to help you set the mood.
While you indulge in the fruits of the sea, you can watch the gentle lapping of the Bay at the sands of Myola spit, the bobbing of the boats at the wharf, and the softening of the evening light over Voyager Park.
If you prefer to mix and match, the menu features a delicious selection of seafood dishes including locally sourced garlic prawn skewers, fresh local oysters served natural or Kilpatrick, a half-kilo of freshly cooked prawns served with lemon and seafood sauce, or a crispy basket of calamari rings.
Besides seafood there are plenty of options from bistro classics and specials like their tender, 24-hour slow-cooked brisket nachos, as well as GF and vegetarian options.
Bookings are essential, so call the club’s reception to reserve your table, on (02) 4441 5282.
Love & Lobster Perfectly Paired at JB Shellfish Market
If the candle-lit option is not your scene, dive into a seafood lunch with your date, because nothing says “I love you” quite like sharing a platter of the ocean’s finest!
Treat your special someone to a feast that will have your hearts and taste buds swooning. Jervis Bay Shellfish Market, on Bolten Road in the Huskisson industrial estate, is dishing up an impressive grilled-to-order seafood menu of succulent half-lobsters, plump Pacific oysters with the tastiest Kilpatrick sauce in town, and melt-in-your-mouth scallops served with your choice of delicious homemade mornay sauce or fresh garlic butter.
For chilled options, indulge in a tray of freshly shucked oysters or cooked Queensland tiger prawns or a box of chef-made sushi.
Dine under their shady picnic tables surrounded by aromatic herb gardens or opt for a takeaway and head off for a secluded beachside picnic. This is one of our ultimate ways to celebrate love in the Bay.
The Shellfish Market team is in the process of creating an irresistible seafood box for a delicious takeaway experience. Stay tuned to their socials for updates on what’s in store.
The grill is fired up Thursday to Saturday 10:30am to 1:30pm.
Valentines First Blush at The Growers by Ponte
Chef Thiago Menezes and his team have curated a four-course sharing menu for Valentines Day design to ingnite romance in every bite, at The Growers By Ponte located at the Worrigee Sports Club on Greenwell Point Road.
This is the first Valentines event since the team from Ponte breathed new life into The Growers, so if you haven’t visited this beautiful rural dining venue since it reopened, now is a great excuse. The $65 pp menu starts with creamy burrata, Nan’s tomato relish and warm focaccia, followed by blue swimmer crab pasta with chili, garlic, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. There’s slow-cooked porchetta with roasted potatoes, salad and house-made apple sauce. End on a sweet note with decadent chocolate fudge cake or peanut and coffee ice cream. For the little people you love, there’s $20 kids meals.
There are two sittings on offer, 5pm-7pm and 7.30pm-late. Whether you’re on a first date or looking to share a craving for great cuisine with someone special or friends, the hospitality of Sharon and Thiago Menezes will ensure a Valentine’s dinner filled with unforgettable dishes and an experience to rave about.
Celebrate Summer Seafood at Rick Stein Mollymook
We love heading down with friends for lunch at Rick Stein at Bannisters in Mollymook. It’s a stunning showcase of the South Coast and a great way to show off to visitors.
Every Friday in February is a chance to woo your beloved over a fixed lunch menu at Rick Stein, $75pp. The highlights include Japanese fish cakes, salt & pepper calamari, passionfruit marinated salmon, Sri Lankan fish curry, roasted free-range chicken, and exceptionally executed classic desserts like pavlova with tropical pineapple relish and vanilla crème brûlée.
Extend the romance and stay the night (or two) with the Bannisters Bliss Package including breakfast, a bottle of bubbles, a two-course dinner at Rick Stein, and a 45-minute Serenity Infrared Sauna session at Spa by the Sea.
Book online for your choice of Friday.
Love in Every Sip at Cupitt’s Estate
Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla is a stunning spot for a romantic Valentines Day with its farm-to-table dining, award-winning wines and breathtaking vineyard views.
For lovers next Friday, start with a decadent Fruits de Mer platter, filled with the freshest local seafood and estate-grown ingredients. Oyster lovers will be spoiled by a premium Appellation selection, perfectly paired with Cupitt’s signature Brut Cuvée with its fresh and vibrant notes, ideal for a romantic toast.
As the sun dips below the horizon, let the solo acoustic vibes of Sam Fletcher serenade you from 5pm.
Bookings are recommended, check online for availability.
Fan the Flame of Love at Old Salt Distillery
The best thing about Valentines Day falling on a Friday this year is that Old Salt Distillery in South Nowra is open for love!
Expert distillers and chefs, Terry and Michelle Robinson, are opening their doors from midday to 9pm on Friday 14 February, which means you can choose lunch or dinner with your beloved, and no bookings are needed to enjoy a flame-cooked menu that never fails to impress. Share plates are the way to go, for lovers.
This is the perfect occasion to sample a cocktail made from Old Salt’s exceptional range of spirits and liqueurs.
