Here in Sydney, we all know how nice it can be to get away from the city, that we love oh so dearly, for a mini break.
Terrigal is an ideal choice as it’s less than a two-hour drive away! The beachfront suburb instantly transports you to a state of relaxation and calm.
Here are our top choices for when you decide to check out the little stunner for yourself:
Where to stay:
Choose the beachfront Crowne Plaza Terrigal for a weekend retreat on the Central Coast and you won’t go far wrong!
A warm welcome awaits at Crowne Plaza Terrigal. The rooms are modern with all necessary amenities – including a robe and slippers – which we like! We had an Ocean View room with a great view over to pool from the balcony.
The mezzanine boasts the perfect location for celebratory cocktails in the Lord Ashley Lounge! Alternatively you can try the catch of the day in elegant Seasalt Restaurant.
Crowne Plaza Terrigal is 115km from Sydney International Airport and Newcastle Airport. The top of the Skillion has the most amazing panoramic views of the coastline. You’ll find top-class surfing on Terrigal Beach and deep-sea fishing trips that leave from The Haven, a peaceful area 10 minutes’ walk away. It is also 15 minutes’ drive to the Erina Fair mall and 20km from Ettalong’s weekend beach market.
Even better, you can dream the week at work away as you indulge at the Endota Spa or energise in the stunning outdoor pool.
There is live music at Florida Beach Bar and you can see the stunning sunset over the beach from its terrace.
Where to Party:
Rhonda’s
Rhonda was born in the 1980’s, she loves to eat, drink and play, she doesn’t alienate anyone, whether they be the casual diner in the mood for dinner, the cocktail or wine savant, or those looking for late night drinks and funky beats. Time to get seaside!
Rhonda’s opened in late 2014 as a new dining offering on the NSW Central Coast, themed around a fictitious character from the 1980’s – Here at Sydney Social 101 we fell for Rhonda at first sight and didn’t look back…
With its urban-cool interior design style, set against a Terrigal beach-village setting (and 2 mins walk from Crowne Plaza)– it’s a distinct Sydney vibe with a twist, on the Coast.
The fit-out includes Lenny Kravitz designed wallpaper adorning the walls, and a floor to ceiling decorative hardwood & copper wall to the front of the property.
The seasonal menu offers relaxed bar dining with a tapas and small-bites inspired menu, plus weekly themed mid-week dining experiences that including tapas, mussels, and paella evenings.
The bar menu includes over 15 superbly balanced cocktails and is led by Mike Tomasic, winner of the 2014 Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge.
Shaken, not stirred? A question best answered by the new man in Terrigal – world champion cocktail maker, Mike Tomasic, now at the helm of the Central Coast’s arguably coolest new tapas bar & cocktail lounge, Rhonda’s. Sydney Social 101’s must-see when heading to Terrigal!
Rhonda’s has not skimped on the fine detail, with its menu of bespoke cocktails, using a range of products that meet the venue’s strict criteria in terms of ethics, sustainability and integrity. Drinks are served with ice using 28mm cubes, often seen in Sydney bars, though still rare on the Central Coast. Soon, they will possess a new ice machine that will produce little diamonds for their bespoke collection of drinks.
Mike’s signature cocktails include:
- D’Vine– one of Mike’s award-winning cocktails that saw him fly to the south of France in mid-2013 to compete in the G’Vine Global Cocktail Finals. G’Vine gin, apricot brandy, peach, lemon, egg white for a soft velvety texture, feeling like you’re drinking little clouds.
- Apple Pie– who doesn’t love Apple Pie? Fireball cinnamon whiskey, fresh green apple a la minute, fresh citrus, mint and a funky striped straw – an absolute banger!
- Spiced Banana Old Fashioned – A grown-up version of a banana smoothie, sans dairy. Angostura rum infused with banana, St Elizabeth Allspice Dram, cinnamon syrup, Angostura bitters.
- Japanese Michelada – Japan meets Mexico in this variation on the atypical Mexican. A spicy beer cocktail that first became popular in northern Mexico. The cocktail’s name is derived from “mi chela helada” or “my cold, light beer” and as the name suggests, is a perfect summer revitalizer as it ticks all the boxes. A little spicy, filling from the beer, and is packed with nutrient dense fresh citrus and Clamato juice. Asahi beer, fresh citrus, Clamato juice, and Rhonda’s secret blend of spices.
Rhonda’s impressive new winter menu is equally tempting, including:
- Braised wagyu beef with gremolata crust and potato gnocchi
- White miso blue-eye cod & cauliflower
- Belgian chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream and Persian fairy floss
Mid week, diners at Rhonda’s can enjoy tasty Tapas Tuesday dishes for $8, while Thursday brings a fiesta vibe with Thursday Paella plates for $16 served with salad. Stay in the loop with Rhonda’s promotional activity, via Facebook: www.facebook.com/rhondasbar
3 – 5 Kurrawyba Avenue, Terrigal , NSW Central Coast
02 4385 3100
Tuesday – Thursday, from 5pm
Friday – Sunday, from 4pm
Where to eat:
Bombini
Bombini has opened on the NSW Central Coast, a new restaurant with a name derived from the tribal reference to the ‘bumblebee’.
Headed up by Cameron Cansdell and Hayley Hardcastle, both formerly of ‘Manfredi at Bells’ – the on-site restaurant at five star boutique resort, Bells at Killcare. At Bells, Cameron was head chef under the direction of Stefano Manfredi and hosted their popular cooking school program, while Hayley was the restaurant’s front of house.
Sydney Social 101 headed there for lunch on a sunny, Sydney Sunday afternoon and was really impressed by the quality of the food! The venue is also really quaint and the friendly staff made you feel right at home.
Tim Brand
The Bombini ethos is based on the bee’s natural way of life. Reflecting this, the restaurant’s philosophy will focus on a natural and sustainable approach to food, utilising produce from its own fruit trees, veggie patch, chickens, and bee hives.
The menu is modern Italian, with a weekly menu serving breakfast to dinner. Cameron hand-selects some of Australia’s best produce with the daily a la carte menu featuring antipasto, house-made pasta, bread and gelato, to more substantial dishes from grilled seafood and shellfish, Burrawong Gaian farm chickens, Roast Flinders Island suckling lamb and Victorian dry-aged grass fed rib sirloin. Breakfast includes house made sourdough, baked brioche with strawberries and cream, accompanied by Espresso di Manfredi coffee.
Tim Brand
The Bombini mood is bright and relaxed; a white and playful yellow Queenslander style cottage, on 2-acres of land with vegetable and fruit gardens, beehives and chickens. There is also an on-site bar serving signature cocktails and a diverse wine list that will include a broad bio-dynamic wine selection.
A welcome addition to the NSW Central Coast scene, Bombini is for locals and visitors alike. Just over an hour from Sydney, it is fast becoming an enticing foodie option for the daytrip or weekender itinerary, with its ideal location between the beautiful Terrigal and Avoca beaches.
Address: 366 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach
Website: www.bombini.com.au
Email: eat@bombini.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com.au/bombini.com.au
Note: Bombini is closed for Aug (annual winter break), it will re-open in September 2015.
Where to drink:
Part of the Pocket Group, this bar comes with pre set expectations based on its peers.
Pocket Bar Terrgial is in a great location, boasts a great crowd and really does have a great atmosphere!
We love the intricate design details, such as the eye-catching mural and mis-match décor that somehow just works!
Whilst there is an extensive food menu, we would recommend heading here for a beverage to whet your appetite! The stand out ones are the Todo Bueno which sets your tastebuds alight with Leblon Cachaca, passionfruit, pineapple, lime, mango and a touch of vanilla.
The one that stole our hearts though was the Pocketmelon Martini. Think crushed watermelon muddles with with 42 Vodka, Kaffir Lime and sugar syrup. It’s a party in your mouth, trust us!
If you get carried away, and fancy something to accompany your collection of cocktails, you can’t go wrong with the weuben sandwich – wagyu, fries and cornichons What’s not to love hey!
74 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal NSW 2260
(02) 4385 1050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PocketBarTerrigal
Sydney Social 101 was hosted s a guest at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal for one night and received complimentary meals at Rhonda’s and Bombini’s – All views expressed are our own.
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