Local siblings Monique and Mark McLoughlin have created the perfect formula for sea-side dining at Balmoral Beach.
As you sit down at Public Dining Room and take in stunning Balmoral Beach, with the moored yachts bobbing gently on the water, you can for a moment imagine you are on the South of France. Or at least miles away from the busy Sydney traffic. Add in a European-trained head chef, and a creative menu peppered with the freshest seafood and produce, you will soon be immersed in an experience which owners Monique and Mark McLoughlin have been bringing to the harbour beach for 14 years.
The dynamic siblings have been in the restaurant trade for decades, and run not only a busy restaurant open for lunch and dinner, but have turned Public Dining Room into a popular venue for events, utilising every section of the large space – including two outdoor decks – seamlessly.
Polish-born head chef Adam Tyl has been at Public Dining Room for five years, and says he gets a lot of satisfaction from people enjoying his food. Whether it’s a royal seafood paella or Bangalow herb-crumbed pork cutlet with caramelised Jerusalem artichoke and pear puree, Adam works with only the freshest seasonal produce. He likes to keep the menu zesty too, working with his team of 14 to change it every few months.
One popular initiative which follows dining trends is ‘snacks’ says Adam: “It’s like a small bite for the customers to try many different things without having like a large portion.” Diners enjoy sharing spiced soft shell crab garnished with pickled radicchio and even smoked duck breast with spiced rhubarb compote. But you will also find classic dishes such as pistachio and herb-crusted lamb shoulder, which is slow-cooked overnight to provide that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Monique says that modern Australian cuisine has been strongly influenced by migrants and they are lucky to now have a French pastry chef in the kitchen. “It has been instrumental for our restaurant to train our young chefs who do not have the means to work abroad and gain these valuable skills.”
For a limited time, you can enjoy half- price on champagne (Thursdays) and oysters (Fridays) at lunch and dinner.
Public Dining Room 2A The Esplanade, Mosman Ph: 9968 4880 publicdiningroom.com.au