The Bondi Tucker

I have not had souffle for a long time from a commercial restaurant, and could not resist
the version made by the Bondi Tucker (image above). Run by Ben and Louise, this cafe-restaurant is open every day, and is located only ten minutes walk from the main strip of Campbell Parade at Sydney's Bondi Beach. The place was relatively quiet when we arrived on the evening of Mothers Day, but soon had diners gradually fill up. The walls were surprisingly plain and did not match what was seen on the restaurant's website - maybe it was in the middle of some renovation exercise. Three blokes manned the closed up kitchen, whilst a lone woman attended to customers outside. Note the day menu is very different from the evening offerings.

White table cloths were put into place after 6pm that Sunday evening, followed by the practical disposable paper piece on top. For the mains, I took a conscious risk to select pasta with pumpkin and garnished by bacon bits (above image). The chef handled this delicate dish well, especially in the outcome on the palate - savoury, melting in the mouth and not over powering. Everything served at the Bondi Tucker is made on-site, including the garlic aioli to complement the well made breads ( ours was with compliments) and the banana nut bread. And yes, it is definitely Bondi - free range eggs only.

The entree was my next best nominated serving that evening, after the souffle - fresh aromatic oysters on the shell in an inspiring white wine-infused and fresh herb broth, accompanied by light vegetables. The juicy moist kangaroo (last image in this post) was served with spears of asparagus and usually not part of the regular menu. Meats used in the Bondi Tucker are from A.C.,Butchery in Leichhardt, whilst seafood are supplied by De Costi's at the Sydney Fish Markets.

The Bondi Tucker is located at 80 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, Sydney's iconic lifestyle destination.

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Bundeena to Cronulla and back - Boat on the Bay

Captain Ryall ran the first ferry service in Port Hacking Bay from Jibbon Beach in Bundeena Village.

Between Horderns and Gunyah beaches lies the ferry wharf that today provides passengers (image above) a refreshing half hour ride to Cronulla Beach. The boat ride, run by the Cronulla and National Parks Service, is highly recommended. With boats called TomThumb and CurraNulla, they are the link between two different worlds and run every hour (on the half hour) from each destination. Below, the door to the captain's navigation deck.

I was impressed with the orderliness and housekeeping aboard the boat, noticeably the safety float vests stored above the passengers (above image) and the cleanliness of floors and seats. Below, a typical scenery passengers encounter along the ride - stand up board paddlers, swimmers and surfers.

Pets, families and backpackers are all welcomed aboard by the crew - one of whom collects ticket fares once the journey begins.

Above, the boat approaches the wharf at Bundeena Village.

Bundeena Village, NSW

Bundeena lies south of trhe greater Sydney region, just a tip out of the Sutherland Shire and a perfect hideaway from the Big Smoke. It lies on the outer north-eastern edge of the Royal National Park and faces a bay. You can choose to walk along the eastern coast of the Royal National Park for 26km, from Bundeena in the north to Otford in the south. Bate Bay, at the mouth of Port Hacking, is visible from the shore of Bundeena Village and beckons you to the bright lights of Cronulla and the refineries of Kurnell.

Nearby to the west, over a sandspit is the village of Maianbar,which has two wharfs jutting out to its Fishermans Bay. Maianbar has a Simpsons Hotel. Other nearby visists are to Garie Beach and Wattamolla Lagoon and Beach.

Above, a hearty but low carb breakfast at the Manaa Cafe, across from Horderns Beach and the site of the Bundeena markets. Apart from the RSL, there is a Bell's Diary at the corner of Thompson Street; the Bundeena Oval with a community centre; and the Bundeena House heritage site. Sunday markets are held once a month, on the first weekend.

Above, a creek that leads out to Horderns Beach.

Below, an outdoor siren along Brighton Street in Bundeena that leads to the ferry pier.

The foliage in Bundeena is highlighted by the cabbage-tree palms, Port Jackson figs, coastal banksia and the Bangalay eucalyptus. It was the first day of May, and as bright as it could be in weeks, with the perfect blue sky and a promising day ahead.