What do you get when a Michelin-trained chef sets up in a suburb known for surfing, an Art Deco cinema and a golf course? One of the area’s best kept secrets.
If you’ve ever wished for a really good local where you don’t have to get too dressed up or sit through hours of tiny courses, Hedonist might just be your new favourite place.
Tucked across from the beach in Collaroy, Hedonist is the kind of spot you want to keep to yourself. It’s run by Tua Fatongiatau, who has over a decade experience working in hotel bars and restaurants, and chef Emanuele Pelonero, who has worked in restaurants across Sydney and Brisbane but refined his foraging and pasta making skills at Il Piastrino, a Michelin-star restaurant in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region.
Pelonero’s imprint on the menu means the dishes are big on flavour without being overly fussy. Think perfectly charred 45-day dry aged steaks from Copper Tree Farms, Market Fish with gochujang glaze and XO sauce, and Aussie-inspired twists like Kingfish Crudo with preserved salted apricot and sea lettuce (Aussie seaweed), and Kangaroo Striploin Tataki with wasabi mayo.
The current Winter Menu consists of “temptations” such as Wagyu Beef on Brioche: Wagyu beef tartare, egg yolk, herbs, mustard, capers, crème fraiche; Scallop Rockefeller: Grilled shell shark bay scallop with miso and nduja butter, herbs crumble; and the Silver Trevally Crudo: Lightly cured trevally served with shiso soy and vinegar dressing, finger lime, EVOO.
You can also opt for “Flavours From Italy”, including the Lamb Ragù Tagliatelle: Braised Lamb shoulder ragù, salsa verde, parmigiano, butter – perfect for cold winter nights. And then there are the ‘Showstoppers’ including the David Blackmore Wagyu Blade steak and the Pork Chop Schnitty.
Try very hard to save room for dessert – amongst other tempting treats for “The Grand Finale” is the sublime Vanilla Burnt Basque Cheesecake. And it’s served with hot chocolate sauce.
You might be wondering about the name, Hedonist. It’s not about excess, it’s about pleasure. The pleasure that comes from a perfectly cooked cut of meat, a crisp glass of wine at sunset, or the satisfying umami crunch of caramelised carrots with bone marrow butter (it’s a side, and a must-order). The entire menu at Hedonist is a nod to the idea that food should delight all the senses. And here, it does.
As for the venue’s interior – it’s warm and inviting. A casual bistro that somehow manages to feel both laid-back and little bit luxe.
Locals are already in the know, especially when it comes to Thursday Steak Night. For just $30, you’ll get a perfectly cooked steak, crispy fries, and a glass of red. Happy Hour (Monday to Thursday) is another popular night, with $12 signature & classic cocktails, $9 house wines, bubbles and beer, $8 mulled wine and a snack menu on offer. And unlike many spots nearby, they’re open Monday nights too, serving up a Chef’s Choice two-course set menu from $65, or three courses for $85.
Whether you’re looking for a new go-to, planning a celebration, or want to impress your out-of-the-area friends who think the Northern Beaches is all fish and chips, dining at Hedonist is an absolute pleasure (see what we did there).
Call it unpretentious fine dining. Call it a coastal bistro. Call it your next date night spot. Just make sure you book ahead.
Hedonist
1135 Pittwater Road, Collaroy
Open Monday nights, Thursday to Saturday for dinner, and Sunday lunch
Bookings via hedonistrestaurant.com.au or 1300 712 743.
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