Watergrill, Kirribilli Club Sydney

Enough said - the Watergrill at the Kirribilli Club is upstairs and so commands a captivating panoramic view of water, bush and sky at the northern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   Add to this a perfect winter's day where the sun shines intently, the air is coolish but guests were all tucked inside behind glass windows.  This is another outlet of a chain that operates in Girraween and Cronulla as well in greater Sydney.  Here you can sample not only the food, but a portion of lower north shore residents, visitors and tourists, families and other groups, having a good day in!

Vehicle parking can be a challenge in this petite suburb of Lavender Bay with its narrow and sloping roads and almost all metered parking requirements by Council.  There are only 65 vehicle parking spaces provided by the Club with a FIFO policy and no reservations allowed - parking tickets need to be validated at the Club's reception and paid on leaving.

Strong on seafood, emphatic on the Aussieness of grilling, celebrating both the produce of the garden and paddock, the Watergrill menu is extensive, generous and pays attention to ingredient and cooking styles.   Asian choices have crept in - oh I see Penang curry chicken and Sichuan flavoured ones, plus tofu served with Enoki mushroom slices on steaming rice!   The tapas plate, at around 25 dollars, caught my eye - breaming with five spice powder flavoured pork belly cuts, crumbed fried Brie with relish of cranberry and duck meat spring rolls accompanied with Hoisin sauce.

Of course, the hot or cold seafood platters are inevitably available, reflecting the origin of Watergrill from the Shire in southern Sydney.   There is an interesting salad offering that throws in balsamic cabbage, rocket, feta cheese, pearl cous cous and pulled pork - perhaps a rather optimal lighter choice.

A room with a view.

Coffee can be pretty standard as this is part of a club but I reckon people love to come here to gather the clan, to savour special occasions and to see what can be achieved with good old produce from both the Aussie heartland and multicultural inspirations. Barramundi is grilled to be served with Kalamata olives, sundries tomatoes, Kipler potatoes and wilted spinach.    There is a gourmet salmon and prawn pasta selection heaped with capers, fresh Dill, garlic and Spanish onions.   Your mate can have the Souklavi skewers with Tzatziki, whilst you can still have your 300 grams of pork cutlets, Scotch fillets or surf and turf combos.

I noted the beef Fajita that comes with avocado Guacamole , caramelised onions, sour cream and tortillas.  Prices of mains are from mid to high 20s.   Service was not to complain of on  rather busy Sunday afternoon.  The logistics that day inside the kitchen must have been over whelming. And id fellow lunchers still have room to spare, there are the usual bright gems from the dessert menu - chocolate fondant, cream brûlée, cheese plates and sticky date pudding!

A limited menu is available away from the rush eating hours, after 230pm and before dinner time.
There are separate winter and summer menus, a couple of us visited in early winter.  Kids would love the ambiance here as there is space for them to wander.  I had no issues with my mains, delightfully garnished with thoughtful sides.



The Watergrill Restaurant is located at the Kirribilli Club, 11 Harbourview Crescent at Lavender Bay.
There is a distinct cafe area separate from the dining area - window seats are better secured in this cafe spot on busy days and nights.
Gluten free or vegetarian selections are indicated in the menu.
Telephone: 612 9945 2245