Last Thursday was our wedding anniversary. As avid food lovers, we always celebrate with a beautiful meal somewhere and this year we decided to return to Noosa where we had our honeymoon. Noosa has so many good restaurants it’s always difficult to choose where to go but one that stands out for its sensational food and gorgeous view is Ricky’s Restaurant.
Ricky’s Restaurant is located at Noosa Wharf on the river just a short walk, ferry ride or drive from Hastings Street. We like it for the escape it offers from the hustle and bustle of the main beach area. With its perfect riverfront location, it’s easy to while away the hours at Ricky’s. On a clear Noosa day the sunlight reflecting off the water is mesmerising, not to mention watching the many boats that pass by. There’s a distinctive vibe about Ricky’s—it’s open glass walls, high ceilings and polished wooden floors remind me of a beach house—I just want to stay, relax and enjoy.
Now to the menu…so many choices, all of them appealing. Even the gluten free (GF) menu had a few different options for entrees and mains. Here’s what we had:
Entrees
- BBQ quail, spiced carrot, medjool dates, rocket salad, honey yoghurt dressing
- WA octopus, pork belly, baba ganoush, slow roasted cherry tomatoes, haloumi, eggplant jam (GF)
Mains
- Char grilled Grainge eye fillet, potato leek gratin, confit shallot puree, asparagus, olive, manchego butter (GF)
- Herb crusted lamb rack, spiced quinoa, roast pumpkin, goats feta, almonds
Desserts
- Deconstructed cheesecake, strawberries, rhubarb sorbet
- Chocolate cake sundae, mascarpone ice cream, hazelnut panna cotta, strawberries (GF)
For me, the dish of the day was the herb crusted lamb with quinoa. The sweet and soft roasted pumpkin, wonderfully spiced quinoa very Moroccan in flavour, creamy goat’s cheese for a hint of saltiness, toasted almonds for crunch, and delightfully tender savoury lamb, each mouthful was a pleasure.
I cannot fault the food. The ingredients were as fresh as fresh could be, and the dishes satisfying without being too filling. I like to eat this way, it’s this kind of food that makes me happy. Ensconced in a light-filled restaurant with a stunning view, served by attentive wait staff, my smile widens with every bite. I feel privileged to have such a wonderful eating experience. And rest assured we will be back as soon as we possibly can.