Perched high on the cliffs above Whale Beach is Jonah’s, a sea-salt-sprayed boutique hotel and restaurant that has been standing strong since 1929. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow sunlight to stream into the bright-white dining room, and every table faces the ocean so there’s not a bad seat in the house. And while this seaside classic is a bit of a drive away, Jonah’s offers the kind of views that make you feel like you’re on holiday.
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The menu, overseen by executive chef Rey Ambas – who’s previously worked at Aqua Dining and Pilu – celebrates modern Australian cuisine with Italian flair. Guests can opt for the go-hard-or-go-home seafood platter, featuring hot and cold seafood served on a three-tiered stand and best enjoyed with a bottle of chilled Champagne. Or there’s the three-course option, where you choose an entrée, main and dessert. Highlights include fresh, raw yellowfin tuna paired with apple, cucumber and vibrant dill oil; grilled king prawns with miso and orange butter, pickled fennel, grapefruit, wasabi mayo and pops of smoked salmon roe; capellini twirled with tomatoes, garlic, chilli and lemon shavings; and roast lamb with peas, marinated buffalo feta, balsamic currants and baby radish. If there’s the option to add on plump, sweet and caramelised scallops bathed in burnt butter, do that.
Dessert-wise, an orange blossom and vanilla semifreddo is paired with pomegranate, lime gel and pistachio ice cream; a banana and coconut soufflé comes with silky house-made gianduja ice cream; and there’s a pineapple and lime ‘Splice’ featuring lime mousse, vanilla crumble and pineapple sorbet that’s bright and zesty.
The menu is backed up by a strong, encyclopaedia-like wine program curated by head sommelier Georgina Larsson (ex-Aria). The award-winning list features more than 1,600 wines, stored in two temperature-controlled wine cellars.
Expect polished, warm and friendly fine-dining service – where you feel like a rockstar for a couple of hours.
Some may say Jonah’s feels a little dated. But with crisp wines, excellent service, crowd-pleasing food and those views, you’ll still have a whale of a time.
Time Out tip: After your meal, head out to Jonah’s terrace balcony and enjoy a final Spritz before the journey home. Better yet, book a night here and keep the good times rolling.
Find out more here.
Address: 69 Bynya Rd, Palm Beach NSW 2108
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