Elwood Bathers

We had dinner at Elwood Bathers last night essentially a place I’d chosen for the ability to see the stunning sunset. I did request a window table for this viewing pleasure but it was not accommodated, though we were close. I suppose this was due to the fact there were limited two seater tables in these locations though when we politely enquired we were rudely rebuffed. This staff member seems to have been an outlier though as everyone else we dealt with was relatively friendly.

On to the decor I really enjoyed the interior which had a beachy yet elegant feel to it. Complimentary bread arrived as I sipped my pimms (which was quite heavy on the ginger ale). I chose the lamb for main which for $38 was a little fatty. I didn’t particularly enjoy the unpleasant raw onion pieces in the eggplant relish either.

What was unparalleled however was the epic vantage point to witness the truly spectacular sunset as we indulged in the utterly delicious lemon soufflé tart which was a masterstroke in pastry ingenuity. Even for the atmosphere alone I thoroughly recommend a visit to this sophisticated beachfront paradise and definitely don’t skip dessert

wonderful surrounds, friendly staff and great food. beautiful location right on the beach, watching the sunset. the night we were there, 4/12, there was a group of parents who for some reason were letting their kids run wild and just be totally annoying. the duty manager did a wonderful job of asking them to be mindful of their children, handled it beautifully. great job Elwood bathers.

Really good food and the location is great. However, it gets rather noisy so they need to put something on the ceiling so the voices don’t bounce off the walls.

You really can't beat the location, absolute beachfront with a view of the yacht club and plenty of parking.  We love the interior - white and blue with natural woods - Hamptons chic!

Service is good, you can call in advance and make a booking which is definitely recommended if you're coming in peak times.  The staff were all friendly and helpful even though the restaurant was pretty packed.

Coffee was nice, although my first cup was better than my second.  We went for breakfast (which finishes at 11.30am) and the dishes were fresh and tasty but the portions are pretty small for the prices.  

Cocktails are nice and they serve a limited selection of wine and beer.  Looking forward to trying out the lunch menu soon.

I'm one of THOSE people that read the menu ahead of time, so I deliberately went to Elwood Bathers starving, so I could try three courses (It's the weekend, ok?). Entering the restaurant, there was the must incredible smell and while possibly heightened because of my hunger, I'm sure it would have smelled as delicious even if I weren't hungry at all.

We sat down and immediately realised that the other reviews are right when they mention how loud it is in here. Big floor to ceiling windows and concrete floors don't do much to absorb the sound, so you might need to preserve your voice until you arrive, so you can yell over to the people you're dinning with. The table was very narrow and hard to fit in drinks and water and phones and cutlery and plates etc, but we managed eventually.

The food came out really quickly and was presented beautifully. The salmon entree was superb and light, fresh and delicious. Really good. When the main came out, I was a little disappointed. The Fish 'n Chips were great tasting, but there was SO much salt coating it all, that I had to leave a big chunk of it (and remember, I'm still hungry at this point). The batter tasted good, but it was dense and doughy. The fish inside was beautifully cooked and white. Dessert didn't disappoint. Not only was it also very pretty on the plate, but perfect on the palate. I asked for an ice cream flavour substitution and they obliged correctly. It was a delicious chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream and freeze dried strawberries. So yum.

The service here was pretty much spot on as well. Our waitress was friendly and nice, and when my companion didn't like their dessert, she offered another at no charge, or to have it removed from the bill. Everyone was accomodating and happy.

The negatives were ... Expensive parking. There's plenty of parking, but for two hours, it cost $12. The food is a bit on the pricey side, but that's why you come here for an occasion. The acoustics aren't great. When I say it's noisy, I mean it sincerely. It's loud. But the view of the water is gorgeous and the decor is nice, and overall I must say I will DEFINITELY come back again to try other menu items (and maybe try it for breakfast one day).