Breathtaking views with a menu to match
In prime position on the ocean promenade is The Pantry Manly, a modern Australian restaurant nestled with a view directly over the beach at North Steyne.
The first thing to take your breath away on entering the historic ‘Beach House’ building are the wide-open windows, which offer a magnificent, uninterrupted view of the ocean stretched out to the sky, and the accompanying sea breeze which gently drifts over our table, setting the scene for a relaxed lunch.
With a cooling glass of rosé for me, and a chardonnay sour mocktail for my friend, we delve into the menu. We select the sauteed king prawns which are generous in size, cooked to perfection and flavoured with red capsicum and finger lime. The Wagyu bresaola carpaccio is equally as delicious, fine slices spread across the elongated plate and topped with caper-tuna emulsion, lime caramel and pane croccante.
Having worked in various venues in Italy and learning from some of the best chefs in Europe, executive head chef Francesco Armillis brings his own expertise to the restaurant’s menu. “We do Australian modern with a little bit of an Italian twist,” he says of the dishes, which he combines with a French technique.
The John Dory fillet is a popular dish at The Pantry, and it’s easy to see why. Served with zucchini flowers, which my friend says were a ‘highlight,’ an olive tapenade jus, a topping of nut crumble, the fish hits the mark in flavour and texture. Sourced from the local fishmonger, the swordfish is fresh and served with saffron yoghurt, sea asparagus and pickled vegetables, adding that special zing to the palate.
While Francesco says he changes the menu every season, he does not ‘rush the season.’ “Before we used to say we follow the season, but now we have to follow whatever is at the market,” he explains, adding that the changing climate has made it ‘a juggle’ with extreme heat and big weather events impacting food supply.
There’s plenty more to the menu too, with Francesco adding that the pan-seared duck breast and canaroli risotto are crowd favourites, sitting alongside options like grass-fed sirloin and milk-fed veal cutlet.
Dessert, the raspberry sorbet served with coconut-vanilla anglaise, meringue and macadamia is so beautifully plated it’s a feast for the eyes – as well as the stomach! As we finish our lunch with a delicate puff pastry holding a lemon cremino, ricotta mousse and mixed berries, we make plans to visit again. The Pantry has a view, and a menu, you just have to return to.
The Pantry Manly Ocean Promenade, North Steyne Phone: 9977 0566 thepantrymanly.com