Nielsen Park in Vaucluse is one of those lovely areas that I frequented when I was a teen and growing up, the Beach House or kiosk as it is more commonly known, is one I used to go to a lot for my fix of ice creams or more grown up fare. So on this Sunday I’m filled with a bit of nostalgia walking along the promenade. A part of me swears the same families are walking past me as the ones that were there 20 years ago.
No that’s not Brian McFadden
The left hand side: the cafe side
The right hand side: the more casual side
In Sydney where anything that is waterfront is expensive to dine at (I’m looking at you Balmoral Beach!), it is amazingly good value with all dishes under the $20 mark. In fact the most expensive thing is $18.50 (no wonder we see some bottles of Veuve Cliquot carried to other tables). The atmosphere and decor is like someone’s Beach House with mismatched cushions, wooden chairs and white paper tablecloths. It’s unpretentious and friendly despite the very upmarket neighbourhood. There is an all day breakfast as well as items such as burger, fish and chips etc but the blackboard which changes weekly features more creative fare. When facing the building, the cafe is on the left whilst the takeaway with ice creams is on the right.
It has to be said, the coffee is fantastic which is a great start.
Antipasto plate $18.50
Our plate of antipasto arrives and it looks mouthwatering in colour and in variety. There is salami with thinly sliced pickles, Persian feta and proscuitto, bocconcini and grilled capsicum, an slightly spicy guacamole type of spread, green and black olives, smoked salmon and a babagannoush and it all comes with toasted bread and croccante wafers.
Yes a food porn close up of the Persian Feta and Proscuitto
The Persian feta and proscuitto are my favourites whilst Mr NQN loves the avocado/guacamole spread-calling it a guacamole doesn’t quite describe the freshness from the parsley. The black olives are soft whilst the green olives are fat and plump but firmer and stick to the pip. There are 2 sheets of fresh smoked salmon with caperberry and the baba gannoush is smokey. Neither of us particularly like bocconcini but spreading the bread with a dip and popping the quail egg sized cheese balls on top we enjoy them.
Corn and three cheese fritters with baby spinach, chorizo and tomato chutney $15.50
The three cheeses for the corn fritters are parmesan, feta and ricotta and the feta and ricotta are particularly pronounced in the taste. The corn kernels are plentiful although a bit too firm for me and the overall cake has a nice texture to it with strings of melted cheese once cut and it goes well with the spicy chorizo and the tomato chutney which is a flavoursome adjunct to the creamy cheese and corn fritter.
Salt and Pepper Squid with fries and sweet chilli $15.50
The salt and pepper squid, a dish that we always order if we see it is as MR NQN puts it “seriously tender”. In fact it’s so melt in the mouth I have to check that it’s actually squid (it is). It’s well seasoned and the tenderness is incredible. Antonio, the manager of Nielsen Park Kiosk who reminds us of Harry in Sex and the City has been looking after us and he gives us some of their homemade tartare sauce too. The chips are fried until golden crisp.
Chicken Cacciatore with parsnip Puree $18.50
The Chicken Cacciatore is made with fresh tomato, and has a rich, thick sauce with tomato, carrots, celery and onion. It’s cooked and served on the bone which we love (more flavour!) and is cooked until very tender and easily falls off the bone. The parsnip puree is a fitting accompaniment and helps mop up the delicious sauce.
Vanilla Pannacotta with Cumquat jam and raspberries $10.50
We can barely fit any more in but the sound of the cumquat jam entices me as I love sweet cumquats. The bottom is a little roughly finished but it has a generous speckling of vanilla bean at the top as well and it is very creamy indeed which goes well with the sweet but slightly tart cumquats and tart fresh raspberries. The dust is puzzling, it’s not really needed and there isn’t much of it so we assume it’s more there for decorative value.
Chocolate Marquise with Espresso Anglaise $10.50
The elegant chocolate marquise is like a ganache crossed with a mousse. Light but still richly chocolatey it really comes into its own with the espresso anglaise. Even though I have already declared myself full one course ago, the emergency dessert stomach kicks in and I keep spooning.
Greycliffe House-perfect for a Halloween party no?
It’s a beautiful sunny day so we go for a walk along the promenade and up to Greycliffe house where I have fantasies of organising a Halloween party one day!
So tell me Dear Reader, what do you think? Is the house perfect for a Halloween party or what?
NQN and Mr NQN dined as guests of Nielsen Park Beach House.
Nielsen Park Beach House
Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9337 7333
Open 7 days from 8am
http://www.nielsenpark.com.au/
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34 Comments | Add your own
What beautiful photos! The chicken cacciatore is spekaing my name (even more than dessert – what is wrong with me today??).
A great view often means that sometimes the food is overlooked but it looks like they have the formula spot on there. Simple classic fare that is cooked right- it all looks fantastic
That is a perfect Halloween house
I love the Marquise, i had a fantasic one at Cha Cha Char in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago with salted caramels and a chili chocolate sorbet. It was amazing.
I love a good, quiet, cosy cafe find and this looks right up my alley! Just look at those stained glass windows – and the handwriting on the menu board. Gorgeousness overload.
Ooh this looks like a great place to spend a sunny Spring day
That Persian feta looks wonderfully creamy, I don’t think kI’ve ever tried that before!
yarrrm…those corn fritters..drool.
and good coffee you say?
just in time for the weekend!
Im sooo going here this weekend! My friends asked me to find somewhere near a beach and this is it (one has a baby and it looks pretty kid safe). Thanku!!! =)
That looks lovely. One of my favourite spots. I always forget it’s there… even though it’s 2 mins from where I work.
I have been hunting for a place to hold my Mum’s 50th birthday lunch. So many places {from the Good Food Guide} require a $1000 room hire fee and it’s driving me bananas! We only have 20 people. So far Centennial Park Restaurant is winning… but I am now going to look into here ^^^ as well. Thanks! x
You had me at the prosciutto – and the panna cotta looks amazing!
looks great! i love Nielsen Park but i’ve never eaten there before. will add this to my To Do This Summer list
Everything looks very good indeed, particularly the Chicken Cacciatore. I just wish that parsnip didn’t make me think of Don Burke these days. Sigh..
Nothing like some lusciously thick espresso anglaise to take one’s mind off Don Burke though!
I can see this as a great place to catch up with friends that live nearby! The prices are amazingly good considering the locale.
Yum!! I think the corn & three cheese fritters & the desserts are calling to me, although the chicken does look nice…I’m just not a fan of having to pull the meat off the bone! It takes time…and I get impatient when it comes to food.
That house would be cool for a Halloween party! Hey, maybe next year, you could have a NQN charity halloween party!!
Ooh! This looks very yummy. You had my mouth watering at the salt and pepper squid!!
Looks like my kind of place. *puts it on list of places to visit*
Mr NQN had to check it was actually squid? wow, I wanna try that squid!!
Great photos! I haven’t commented in a while but I feel the need… interesting to note that you dined as guests of Nielsen Park as the times we have been there (the most recent – only 6 weeks ago) it has been a disaster. The venue is beautiful and a must for any visitor to Sydney but I’d wholeheartedly recommend avoiding the cafe and sticking to the casual side. The service, the food (or lack of) was a disgrace and incredibly disappointing – not to mention a waste of time. As I mentioned we’ve tried the cafe a few times now, each time thinking perhaps they are just having a bad/particularly busy day but after our last recent attempt at Sunday breakfast – never again and be sure I’ve spread the word amongst all our peers! We arrived before 8.30am – with the cafe not overflowing with people – and waited nearly 3 hours for our breakfast. There was no explanation, (mind you – the view is spectacular so you don’t mind waiting a little) however when it did arrive one of the orders was wrong and my husband’s dish was cold. We promptly got up – paid for our coffees – and walked out – and headed straight to Bills Woollahra where we were fed, watered and out of there in just over an hour! Now I know where I’d rather spend my time……
What a beautiful spot and the menu looks very fresh and quite delicious. What a lovely way to spend a sunny day, Nielsen Park Kiosk has now been added to my to see/do list!
i love the look of the salt and pepper squid with fries! i’m bookmarking this for the weekend
I so want to live in a house like that! Oh that marquise…*drools*
Ooh I love it there. Have never eaten at the kiosk but it looks great
. Only been for picnics on the beach!
Looks really lovely, I could just dive into that antipasto right now! And what gorgeous weather, too.
This is like the holy trio – really delicious food, great location and the prices! I’m seriously amazed … putting this on my restaurant to-do list right now!
The plate of antipesto looks outrageously delicious!
It’s great coming back to childhood favourites, although the food looks quite grown up. The presentation of the antipasto is great, but the cumquat jam sounds more exciting.
I would visit if only for the antipasti platter. Plus you cant beat a restaurant on the water!
Hmmmm…
are you certain?
it sure did LOOK like Brian McFadden!
jeepers!
i’d turn up just for those desserts. Yummy!
Gorgeous photos and delicious food here!
Gosh. I LOVE when you share restaurants, because not only is the food amazing, the scenery is always SO gorgeous! Sydney never seems to lack of beautiful restaurants, both the building AND the food!
All of these dishes look fantastic! And what gorgeous place to dine. I think that house is absolutely perfect for a Halloween party!
The place looks looks awesomely refreshing with the beachfont views. Better than Melbourne’s weather right now!
mmm..Chocolate Marquise reminds me of the look of the Lindt Velour cake.- drooling!
Awesome house indeed! That food looks really good – and good value too. I love salt & pepper calamari.
I tried the BEST version of it at a Greek restaurant here in Melbs called Kouzina – seriously the most tender I have ever eaten – like you didn’t even need to chew it. Beautiful.
oh my gosh! (: everything looks so yummy! hehe i think my list of places to go in Sydney has just grown significantly over the past month! thanks for this!
I love Nielsen Park… I practically haunted the place for a few years. Your photos brought back lots of memories! <3
Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou! Hehe it’s not like you!
Hi sandra-Yes that’s very true, some places ignore the food and rest on the view! It was great :_
Hi Tara-Isn’t it! I so want to hold a Halloween party there
Ooh that sounds lovely!
Hi shez-It’s very well done indeed. Just a gorgeous Beach House!
Hi Steph-Yes you’re right! Oooh you must, Persian feta is like Persian fairy floss-awesome!
Hi holly-Hehe yes! I think it’s a great brunch place
Hi Brianna-Excellent! I hope you liked it and yes this is very child friendly
You’re welcome!
Hi fat mum slim-Oh lucky you being so close! Could be a good Friday lunch place!
Oh yes do look into it here and it’s such a lovely location 
You’re welcome! x
Hi midge-Hehe cool! Yes that was really good!
Hi lindsey clare-Oh cool, yes it would be the perfect place for lunch during Summer and then you could go for a dip before or after!
Hi Conor-That was really good. Haha yes Don Burke and his parsnips!
Good idea!
Hi Aubrey-Definitely! I know I was really surprised at those prices-pleasantly so!
Hi Liv-Ahh you see I’m the opposite, I love meat on the bone!
I know, what a great idea, I’d love to do that! 
Hi clekitty-Hehe thankyou!
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-I know! It was soo soft and tender we thought it was fish or something hehe!
Hi sallyc-Thanks! Ahh what a shame that you had a bad experience. 3 hours for breakfast is terrible and fair enough, you’ve given it a few goes
Hi Matilda-It was such a nice weekend lunchtime!
We’re definitely going back during Summer!
Hi Mei-Oh cool! I hope you like it and plmk what you thought of it if you go!
Hi Karen-Yes a lovely little Beach House like that would be lovely!
Hi Madelin-Ahh yes it’s a great setting for a picnic indeed! We’ve had many a picnic and it’s nice to wander down to the shop to get an ice cream
Hi arista-I do love a good antipasto I have to say
Yes good weather essential 
Hi Alison-I know, I love that the prices are the opposite to what you’d think they’d be!
Hi Jackie-There’s nothing like a colourful antipasto plate is there!
Hi Arwen-It may have changed slightly and there is fare such as fish and chips and burgers if you like.
Hi Meg-Haha you’ve got your favourite chosen! Yes there’s nothing quite like a sparkling Sydney water view
Hi the projectivist-Funny thing is that he is always at cafes and I saw him at a party one night so he’s definitely “around” but I don’t think it was him.
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thankyou!
Hi Sophia-Hehe cool! Yes we have a lot of gorgeous places with stunning views
Hi Faith-Isn’t it just! It wouldn’t take much to Halloween-ify it!
Hi Adrian-Shame about the Melbourne weather. My friends tell me it’s been rather cold!
Ooh I must give that a go 
Hi Esz-ooh that sounds like a wonderful S&P calamari! There’s nothing I like more than a really tender S&P calamari!
Hi Lianne-Hehe you’re welcome! There are so many good (and bad) places to eat but this was a goody!
Hi Jenny-It’s lovely isn’t it
I probably passed you by one day! Ahh that’s wonderful! 
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