Bannisters Pavilion Bar & Grill, Mollymook

Where Is It: Bannisters Pavilion, Mollymook, NSW.

Why Go: It’s a part-inside, part-alfresco casual-yet-smart eatery with views.

Best For: Stylish couples seeking a fun night out with fine cuisine.

Three Things We Loved: The rooftop pool with views, the varied cuisine, the decor.

The Ultimate Factor: Winter or summer, this is a new and happening venue in Mollymook.

Overview:

While Bannisters by the Sea and Rick Stein’s have undoubtedly become NSW South Coast icons over the years, there’s a new place which stylish couples and families can call home for a weekend escape - Bannisters Pavilion. Opening back in December 2015, this new boutique property has 32 stylish guest rooms and two luxury penthouse suites, and set back from Mollymook Beach it’s also just 900 metres from Bannisters by the Sea. Highlights of this new place to stay include a stunning backdrop of impressive eucalyptus trees, an ultra-modern and stylish decor, and a gorgeous rooftop deck featuring a dramatic suspended infinity pool. While guests have the option of using the facilities of both Bannisters Pavilion and Bannisters by the Sea, with a shuttle bus to transport you between the two, the new property has a social hub of its own in a rooftop bar and grill. Read our full review of Bannisters Pavilion here.

We dined there on a Monday night, which even in Sydney is usually quiet, but on arrival at just after 8pm, both the bar and the grill were busy with a combination of locals and visiting diners, and across a variety of ages. Although it was dark and a chilly time of year, the atmosphere was instantly warm on arrival. The decor is very beach chic, with the suspended infinity pool glowing blue, the light catching the bold yellow and white striped umbrellas above the sun loungers, a circular bar with staff busily running back and forth with trays of craft beers, cocktails, tapas and more substantial meals. There’s also an open kitchen so you can keep an eye on all the culinary action, plenty of simple, whitewashed walls, partially wooded floors, and retro art. If the food was a good as the decor we knew we’d be in for an enjoyable evening.

The Menu:

The menu features food inspired by Mediterranean, Southern Californian and Mexican cuisines, complemented by seasonal cocktails, craft beers and an Antipodean-focussed wine list. Open from midday, there are tapas plates to share, light snacks and a ‘Daily Specials’ board, with many plates designed for sharing. When it comes to dinner, you can enjoy snacks including marinated olives and warmed pita bread with hummus and harrisa, followed by a selection of starters, main meals, sides and dessert. We went straight for the starters, opting for delicious soft shell crab tacos, which were served with salsa, sour cream and Mexican slaw,  and fried calamari served with chilli and lime.  Mains were a bit trickier to choose from with six choices including a Pavilion beef burger served with gruyere, bacon, beetroot relish and fries, and slow cooked BBQ beef ribs. In the end we ordered a char grilled rib eye steak, which was cooked to perfection coming with fries and a green bean and tarragon salad, along with the pan fried blue eye, with trevalla pomegranate, walnut salsa chargrilled broccolini and feta. We thought this was sufficient without side dishes, but there was also shoestring fries, Paris mash, and salads. Unfortunately we didn’t make dessert either but spotted a chocolate brownie with vanilla bean ices-cream which was extremely temping.

The Verdict

Bannisters Pavilion is set to become as in-demand with discerning travellers as its sister property up the hill, and this fabulous new bar and grill will likely earn its own loyal following. The rooftop location, the cooling sea breezes and the casual yet sophisticated atmosphere combine to create a venue ideal for a romantic night out at one of the prettiest holiday destinations in NSW. We can only imagine what it would be like on a Saturday night!