Sydney Weekender - Eating Out - The Shire

Eating Out - The Shire

Reporter: Jason & Beck Stevens

Alley Break

Overlooking the beach in Cronulla is local favourite Alley Break. This café is creating a buzz with the locals and between the breathtaking view and gourmet food, it’s easy to see why it’s a top choice for your next weekend lunch.

Owned and run by Nick Tabet, Alley Break is open for breakfast and lunch and serves up a range of delicious café style food. Tuck into a hearty Spanish baked breakfast of chorizo, pepperonata, lamb merguez sausage, three eggs and tomato, served with housemade sourdough. If you’re in for lunch try the aged Angus cheeseburger on brioche served with a side of golden, crunchy chips, or there’s the tasty smoked lamb salad served with beans, roast tomatoes and a champagne vinaigrette.

If there’s any room left in your stomach fill it with dessert. The Eton mess with meringue, crème, poached strawberries and chocolate shards is a super sweet way to end the meal. Dishing up tasty food using great quality produce, Ally Break is the perfect destination for a meal by the sea.

Prices correct as at 16/06/12

The Old Library

Bringing a whole new level of sophistication to The Shire is The Old Library. Formerly a church, then a library, this place is dishing up an authentic Italian menu that has mouth’s watering all over town.

Kick off your meal with the savoury ‘Caprese Marshmallows’, with a tomato water marshmallow, buffalo mozzarella and parmesan crumbs. For mains it’s a hard choice between the ocean trout carpaccio with asparagus, almonds and truffled dwarf peaches or the seared scallops with wild hop puree, grilled fennel and anchovies. The house made potato gnocchi is also a sensational choice, served with goat ragu, black olives and spicy salame. Or the creamy risotto is sure to satisfy, it comes with white asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes and parmesan cheese.

For dessert try something a little different, the chocolate and gorgonzola budino. It consists of a perfectly baked chocolate pudding with molten chocolate and a gorgonzola centre, topped with raspberry sorbet and fresh raspberries. It’s a simply delicious way to end the meal.

Prices correct as at 16/06/12