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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: A huge drawcard of Sydney’s famous Catalina restaurant is indubitably its panoramic water views, accented by the comings and goings of sea planes. Nothing beats a glass of Domaine Mosnier Chablis on the balcony on a warm summer’s day before settling into a long, late lunch. It’s coastal dining at its most luxurious. But on a wet and muggy evening in December—one where visibility out to sea was low—the GRAZIA editors and I were celebrating the year that was, and found an unexpected cosiness and intimacy inside this luxury establishment. Chalk it up to the knowledge of its sommelier, the architecture of its culinary offerings, or the way the place really comes alive after dark, but at no point on this rainy Wednesday did anybody miss the cerulean blue views.
Catalina, exceptionally run now for almost 30 years, is a family-led business. Founded in 1994 by Sydney dining fixtures, the late Michael McMahon and his wife Judy, the restaurant has recently undergone a refurbishment with dark wooden flooring and light textured walls. Dining at Catalina is a pastime you probably have enjoyed at one point or another, but with the menu now including elevated versions of Catalina classics and one which changes daily with a focus on seasonal local produce, no two experiences are the same.
“As we approach our fourth decade, we are incredibly grateful to our brilliant Catalina team and our loyal clientele,” says Catalina Restaurant Manager James McMahon. “My family is excited to welcome customers to the new look Catalina; the restaurant is still the one that they love, with its modernist lines and incredible views, but with a fresh, contemporary makeover.
“The menu has evolved also; the Catalina classics are still there, with some exciting luxe elements such as caviar churros and hand-picked Queensland mudcrab,” he continues.
“Our aim has been to make the restaurant ‘more Catalina than ever’ and we’d love people to come and experience our unique brand of relaxed coastal dining.”
This particular evening marked the close of 2023 for the GRAZIA team. After twelve (long) months of writing, designing, shooting and styling, the team were pockmarked by the anxieties surrounding getting four 500+ print issues to press. From the moment we stepped inside Catalina, everything was taken care of; the bespoke menu, the one vegetarian, the endless questions about the wine, the extra garment bag, the team member running late. Yes, on this ordinary day, the staff at Catalina were extraordinary and really invited us to let go, relax and enjoy ourselves.
The focus on the very best of Australian seafood continues at Catalina. Entree standouts include: the yellow fin tuna tartare which is ever so precisely served on a bed of crispy rice with chilli, trout roe, avocado, yuzu, sesame and furikake; the crumbed zucchini flowers with ricotta and provolone and a rich Spanish romesco sauce; and the Abrolhos Islands scallop ceviche served so beautifully with tiny pieces of green tomato, kiwi nam jim, chilli, roe and coriander.
For mains, you cannot go past the house-made gnocchi, an exciting fusion of butternut pumpkin, sweet potato crisps, pine nuts and pecorino that literally melt in your mouth, and the crispy baby snapper, a small fish served in its entirety with a green papaya salad and toasted peanuts.
For dessert, the waiter recommend I try the caramelised fig with bitter caramel mousse, brik pastry and pistachio ice-cream. This uniquely Australian approach to dining is unmatched. The bar menu has also been expanded with small bites, from Sydney Rock oysters and fish and chips to Nardin anchovies on toast, designed to encourage more casual ways to enjoy the restaurant.
Whatever the weather, whatever the occasion, whatever the anxieties, and even if you think you’ve experienced Catalina before, take our advise and book it in again this summer. For a group of people who are lucky enough to experience the best spots to dine, this one really was our most special dinner together to date.
To experience Catalina and make a reservation, please go to www.catalinarosebay.com.au
