A visual reminder of Mother’s Day written in the sky
Despite being born and bred in Sydney, I still find the Harbour one of the most spectacular places to be on a sunny day and my hearts swells with pride at the sight of the beauty of Sydney. I am truly a Sydneysider through and through. And today, for Mother’s Day, we’re playing tourist in our own city with my parents. If you remember Mother’s Day in Sydney on the Sunday, you might be puzzled, recalling a day filled with intermittent rain and you’d be right, it certainly was a so so day for weather. However the day before on the Saturday was a picture perfect day with not a cloud in the sky and only the gentlest breeze blowing. As we try and avoid restaurants on Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day and Valentines Day) through bad experiences in the past with harried, stressed venues being understaffed and trying to push us out in order to get the next seating in place, we simply celebrate it the day before and we’re lucky we did so weather-wise.
Fort Denison
Fort Denison is on Pinchgut Island, a small Island in the middle of the Harbour. Formerly a prison when Sydney was itself a penal colony, it was a prison within a prison. Nowadays, it serves as a tide marker and is Sydney’s only Island cafe.
The boat ride from Circular Quay to the Island
The tiny “ants” are the people doing the Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb
Accessible by boat, we board at Jetty No 6 at Circular Quay at 12:45pm for the 5 minute boat ride. Within 5 minutes, we arrive at Fort Denison which is a lot smaller that you’d expect (you can walk from end to end in less than 5 minutes) and are greeted at the cafe. The waiter is friendly and polite and lets us know that in a few minutes at 1pm they will be firing the canons which they do once a day, every day on the dot at that time.
The canon firing-kudos to my husband who captured this while covering his ears!
Why 1pm? Since 1906 it allowed ship to set their chronometers i.e. watches and the practise only stopped during World War II due to alarmed residents and resumed in 1986. Today a young boy gets to do it and we all cover our ears (it’s loud!) and after some view gazing and a chat with the friendly woman that oversees it we head back to our table under a huge marquee.
My mother and I order a couple of items to share while my dad who doesn’t like sharing orders the battered flathead and chips and my husband orders the lamb shanks. Prices are extremely reasonable considering the unique Harbour setting. We also see that they have a New Year’s Eve Celebration here for $1,000 a person-I wish!
Mezze Plate for 2 people $24
A generously sized plate I think this could have done both my mother and I for a main. There are three types of bread: Turkish bread, breadsticks and dry toasted round of bageutte and 3 dips: hummous, guacamole and babaganoush as well as a bowl of fat black and green olives and an ambrosial sheep’s feta and sun dried tomatoes. The Turkish bread is wonderful and lightly brushed with oil and very lightly toasted and is a huge hit with the whole table. Likewise the dips which are all wonderful along with the fantastic sheep’s feta, sundried tomatoes and olives.
Flathead and chips $22
The serving size for this dish is generous with 3-4 pieces of fish. The batter isn’t quite as fluffy and crispy as I like or flavoursome though but the garlic aioli is a nice accompaniment (although it could be a bit more garlicky).
Fish Pie $23
The fish pie is comforting and delicious with a blanket of piped mash (if it was powdered, it didn’t taste like it) and a bed of salmon in a creamy white wine sauce. The accompanying leaf salad is also well dressed and flavoured with a vinaigrette.
Lamb Shank $27
The lank shank eases off the bone with the slightest nudge and my husband adores the tomato and olive sauce that accompanies it and the soft, meltingly tender meat. For once, there are no complaints for size and taste for him which is a bonus.
Meat falling off the bone
We’re too full for dessert but there is a selection of things such as scones which are a Pinchgut Island tradition down to things such as ice creams (Magnums, Golden Gaytimes etc) for very reasonable prices.
The Tide Room: Original tide measure from 1908 and the modern one from 1996. The original one is about as accurate as the modern one!
We walk around the museum and it’s actually quite interesting reading about the history of the Island and its grisly past. There are also tours of the tower available ($10 extra).
The Tower
We catch the 3:05 ferry after having soaked up the beautiful Harbour for an afternoon which only serves to reaffirm that we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Plans are made to take all tourists here by my parents but we’re just plotting to come back ourselves. And if you’re in the area before June 8th, do check out the Yayoi Kusama exhibit at the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art. Her Infinity Mirror Room-Phalli’s Field and the flourescent dot room are amazing.
Fort Denison Cafe and Restaurant
Fort Denison
Sydney Harbour
+ 61 (02) 9358 1999
Access via ferry from Jetty No 6 at Circular Quay, return ferry ride $17 per person.
Using your Enliven card allows you to bring 1 guest to have a free main course (one card per table).
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
32 Comments | Add your own
if your husband likes lamb shanks, i’d recommend going to ‘Himalayan Chargrill’ in Crows Nest. Best lamb shank there is and all their other foods are to die for. Not the best location but excellent meaty food
Hehe I never knew they fired the canon everyday! That sky writing was so cute. I do the same thing and try to eat out the day before Mother’s day, the weather was great hey? Oh I’ve been craving fish pie big time, must make some soon!
i noticed that this was on the enliven website and wondered about how the food would be. looks delicious and well-priced too considering the vista and the potential for freebies
Hearty fare! I lurve this venue for weddings and any type of celebration. You almost don’t need to decorate it
Gorgeous lamb shank!! That’s just the sort of food we need at the moment… mmmmm… it’s making me feel warm, even though it’s cold and raining.
Oh, beautiful Sydney harbour. It never ceases to amaze me either
The prices are so good, I’ve seen pictures of a friend’s friends wedding here, it was so beautiful!
It was very clever to avoid the crowds, and you picked the perfect day weather-wise. It’s good to hear that the cafe was nice and not just capitalising on location.
Also I love the way the two tide measures are equally accurate – a case of good old-fashioned workmanship I guess.
Can’t wait until my kids are old enough to take me there… Maybe in 10 years?
How good was that weather ? perfect. Reasonable prices considering the ‘real estate’ there as well, not too sure about that $1000 NYE deal though!
What a gorgeous place. I would love to come to visit…I love the mezze and the fish pie!
Fantastic rec. I often need somewhere to take overseas visitors and this appears to be a perfect venue. They could certainly charge a mint for the food but don’t which is good.
I’ve learnt the hard way to NOT eat out on Mother’s Day (2hr wait for food? No thanks!). Your lunch looks fabulous, and such a lovely setting on a sunny day. Was it very busy, and would you need to book?
Last year I did the McIntosh & Bowman Fort Denison Australian Cheese & Wine experience. It was fantastic. Great Aussie cheeses. Another great way to enjoy the historic surrounds and Sydney harbour.
http://www.mcintoshandbowman.com/Events.aspx
Looks like the weather and food worked out perfectly for you (I think it was overcast where we were). I didn’t know you could eat there – what a lovely location for overseas friends!
Great picture of the canon!
The place looks awesome and makes me really want to go and visit it just for this
cool. prices seem reasonable for the yummy food and great views.
That lamb shank looks so tender…what a nice mother’s day outing
Despite my love of traveling, I too and a true blue Sydney girl… when i moved back from LA, I fell into a deep love with the city! Have never been to fort Denison but it’s on my list… funny how you can see so many other parts of the world and not get around to yours!
What a beautiful place. It’ll go on my list of places to visit. Thanks Lorraine
ha! now that’s my kind of sky-writing. what fun. and i must say, i’m always impressed when you can see the tenderness of meat in 2d.
I had no idea there was a cafe on Fort Denison, I thought it was only open for school tours and functions. Do you need to make reservations?
If I ever get to visit, that is on my TO DO list! I grew up here, one of the most historical areas of the united states, but still get sentimental at times, so I understand the Sydney pride.
The lamb looked killer!!
Wow this is very interesting post! I didn’t even know about the island. Seems like you Mother’s day went great with the lovely meal
Nice pictures and tasty food
Have a good day, Hughs from Sweden
Oh the lamb shanks look so tempting. It seems moist and tender to perfection
How neat is that!
It looks so sunny and beautiful – I wish I was there right now. When I saw the fish and chips, I thought that looked amazing – but then I saw the lamb shank and I knew that that was what I would have to have!
Such gorgeous pictures of Sydney! It looks like the perfect day when we were there (about this time of the year, actually). I would love to go back! The food looks amazing!
Ur mum is so lucky! I bet she felt spoiled =) What did you buy her? I bought my mum a spa voucher and she loved it.
Hi Audrey-Ah cool, thanks for the recommendation!
It’s not far away too!
Hi Steph-Yes I didn’t know either so we were lucky we booked for 1pm. Yep it’s just too crazy on Mother’s Day and the weather turned out to be perfect. Definitely, I want to make one too!
Hi shez-The food is great and so well priced, especially since it doesn’t have to be!
Hi Kathryn-Yes I can definitely see this as a lovely wedding or special occasion venue!
Hi Anita-Yes it’s lamb shanks and oven on weather isn’t it
Hi Betty-Yes it’s stunning isn’t it! That’s why I couldn’t live anywhere else. Except errm maybe New York
What a great choice. If I had known when we planned our wedding we would have gotten married here!
Hi Arwen-Last year’s Fathers Day dinner was a disaster and we wanted to avoid that
Yes I was really glad about that as
so many places with views don’t have food to match. Yes isn’t that funny!
Hi Big M-Haha perhaps! Here’s hoping!
Hi Howard-We couldn’t have dreamt better weather and not a single cloud in the sky too. Haha yes I’d love to go there for NYE for $2000 for the two of us is a little high!
Hi Sophia-It was just stunning! I still; dream about that mezze plate and that Turkish bread…
Hi Mike -Yes isn’t it just the perfect place to take an overseas visitor and the prices are great
Hi Belle-Yes sad but true isn’t it! It always ends up being a drama. Surprisingly it wasn’t busy at all for a beautiful Saturday day with about 4 tables full? We did book although I think you could just call them on the day and see if you can
get a table once you know the weather will be good
Hi Susan-Ah cool! We were wondering about that! Good to know that it is a great experience! Perhaps one day!
Hi Forager-Yes we were very relieved!
I didn’t realise that until I saw the Enliven card and hey a free main is never a bad thing 
Hi ArtemisIII-Thanks, I can’t believe he captured it!
Definitely try and convince the other half to come to Sydney 
Hi Simon-It is a real find I have to say!
Hi Alexandra-She was really happy and she loved her present and her shortbread buttons too!
Hi Yasmin-Yes I think once you take time away from Sydney and you come back you realise howi much you’ve missed it. I felt
the same when I lived in Japan for 2 years. Hehe that is very true!
Hi foodie-central-Wonderful-you’re welcome! I’d love to know what you think of it!
Hi grace-Hehe they looked like they’d run out of time
Yes soft meat is good meat *drools*
Hi SydneyGal-Yes I didn’t either! But I think it’s been there for a while. I would reserve just in case it is busy but it
wasn’t incredibly busy or anything like that. You could probably decide on the day or the day before!
Hi Bethie-Wonderful! It’s such a nice afternoon and way to see Sydney
I can imagine, I bet Virginia is an amazing place!
Hi Yas-Thankyou! This was my first time there and I grew up here
Thanks, it went well, I think because we did it the
day before
Hi Ida-Thankyou and hello to you in Sweden!
Hi Jackie-They were really good-I love it when they fall of the bone like that
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe thanks!
Hi Cakelaw-Do you ever get to Sydney? Hehe yes the lamb shank was definitely better than the fish & chips
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Oh cool! Glad to hear that Sydney put on some spectacular weather for you
Yes do come back, it changes all the time!
Hi Brianna-I think she did. What a great present-spa vouchers are fab
I bought her a Jigsaw evening wrap and some L’Occitane face cream as well as the shortbread buttons 
Hi Lorraine!
Oh, p.s. we ordered pretty much the same stuff you ordered. lol.
After reading your review, I decided that I HAD to go to Fort Denison asap! So I went there for lunch yesterday, and if the view wasn’t breathtaking enough, the food was also delicious! It was such a beautiful afternoon out! Thanks for your review! I’ll be blogging about my experience soon
One Trackback/Pingback
[...] the Himalayan Char Grill from reader Audrey after posting about a particularly good Lamb Shank at Fort Denison, I put it in the moleskine. My trusty, reliable little black book not full of phone numbers of the [...]
Post a Comment