East Coast Lounge, Chowder Bay, Mosman

East Coast Lounge- Chowder Bay, Sydney

Disclaimer: This is not a “review”. I am not a reviewer. This is my attempt at showcasing a great place that I visited, and one you may like to read about or even go to………..

It’s not all that often that you go to a place and a whole host of possibilities just seem to  suddenly open out . That happened to me last week. At the risk of it becoming too popular I thought you may like a look.

I met my friend Charlie, for lunch in Mosman. It wasn’t the bustling busy part near Military Road, but a quiet headland overlooking Clifton Gardens and Chowder Bay.  The East Coast Lounge sits on top of the world and almost out to sea, making you feel like you have gone on holiday right in the middle of Sydney. The road from the bustling business area snakes down towards the water and ends in a bushy area once a private outpost for Military training. The headland and surrounding area has been closed to the public since the early days in around 1860, and until 1997 was not accessible  at all. Some of the small buildings have been repurposed and the aptly named, East Coast Lounge is a new addition.  It is a place that I am hoping to return to again and again when I need to sit by the sea, in comfort with a glass of wine in one hand and my fork in a lovely platter of food. This may also solve all of my visitors to Sydney problems…….

This isn’t a cafe in the traditional sense. It’s about the whole concept, great food, well sourced wine and the temptation of slipping a fabulous Stuart Membrey lounge onto  your credit card before leaving. You can sit anywhere. On a lounge or at a table, get comfortable eat up, drink up or use your comfy position to point and shop. Everything is for sale and the staff couldn’t be more helpful. Today it is reasonably quiet, and the staff come to the table to chat and make menu suggestions, during busy times you will probably have to go to the counter.

The restrictions of heritage buildings can often dictate just what you are able to do, and the kitchen has managed to navigate this. The food comes as simple platters with quality ingredients. Breakfast, lunch or snacks in between arrive on platters and share plates served with Bourke Street Bakery  fruit toast  and Australian cultured butter, for breakfast add fruits, ricotta and preserves or housemade peanut butter . Throw back an  Allpress coffee or  sip on a Bellocq tea blended in New York, while staring out to sea.

At lunch we shared a charcuterie platter that was both freshly sliced and elegantly presented and included rosemary flatbread, roast pumpkin, semi dried tomatoes, San Danielle Prociutto and some fine salumi  from R and S Danube small goods, who also carry Blackforest smokehouse creations. $28  A glass of unusually salmon coloured Tar and Roses Pinot Grigio ($10 ), Heathcote, Victoria, was all I needed to settle in for the afternoon of chatter with Charlie. We took along Charlies little guy who munched his way through a childrens platter  ($12) Ham and cheese toasted sourdough, fruit and a bowl of organic popcorn that came with a complimentary  drink, before moving onto another platter especially made for him by the chef, with Spicy salamis and pickled vegetables with toasted sourdough.

Given the Pinot Grigio was so bright and crisp and we needed another,  we decided to tackle an Haloumi and Chorizo share plate ($14) and in the interests of research a 3 cheese plate ( $26).  The cheese from Formaggi Ocello included a Truffle Pecorino, an Australian Brie and Gorgonzola Dolci. I  loved the platter and their obvious care in serving the cheese the right temperature. The honey like Gelatina d’Uva Zibbibo that came with the cheese was a thoughtful addition to the standard accompaniments. This is a sweet syrup made by reducing Zibbibo grape juice to a concentrate with a little sugar. It is a traditional Italian accompaniment to blue and some soft cheeses.

This is the sort of place you want to sit back and just enjoy. It’s not your hipster hangout it’s for savouring. There is an extensive list of wine with a focus on Australian and a great selection of our up and coming micro brewers for beers and ciders. Theres plenty to keep the kids occupied with spiders and milkshakes and should you drop in for morning or afternoon tea they’ve got that covered with a selection of  cakes and pastries including gluten free.  I thought the idea and the location were so refreshing I wanted to share with you. Metered parking is available nearby.

My Kitchen Stories and Hotly Spiced were guests at the East Coast Lounge. All opinions are my own .

Find it :    East Coast Lounge:  7B Chowder Bay Road, Mosman NSW 2088  02 9968 1658