Recently we were lucky enough to spend four days at Noosa. One of the joys of going to Noosa is definitely the selection of wonderful restaurants right on your doorstep.
One of our favourites would have to be Sails. It is always fantastic. The location simply can’t be beaten, right on the beach overlooking Laguna Bay. And the perfect setting establishes the mood for the rest of the dining experience.
Sails is very Queensland. Your dining table is on a beach-front deck that flows out to a lawn framed by pandanus, right on the edge of the sand. The view, particularly for a late lunch, is stunning.
This time we opted for dinner. And being a clear night, the roof was open to the starlit night sky. Very romantic…
We always take our time with the menu at Sails. It’s innovative and everything is very enticing, but it’s always tricky to make that final decision.
Thankfully, the waitstaff are friendly and knowledgeable about the menu so they can point you in the right direction.
Here’s my selection:
- Scallops in the half shell with smoked fish salad
- Pancetta-wrapped Moreton Bay bug tails, skordalia, butter bean and cherry tomato salad
- Apple tart with pear caramel and gingerbread ice cream.
I love scallops and these ones were sweet and tender. The luscious Asian-inspired salad served on top was zingy and fresh with chilli, coriander, lime juice, Kaffir lime threads and fish sauce. It was deliciously light, sweet and salty at the same time. I could have happily eaten another serve…but, no, must save room for bugs…
The Moreton Bay bug tails melted in my mouth! The pancetta added a pleasant saltiness but didn’t overpower the soft flesh of the seafood. The subtle crunch of the white beans and richness of the skordalia beautifully complemented the bugs. Each mouthful was perfection. It makes me smile just remembering it. The delicious garlicky butter sauce from the salad and the gentle sweet pop of the tomatoes and pomegranate was a great combination. Simply superb!
After a long pause in the meal, while sipping 2007 Petaluma Chardonnay, we decided that we would take a peek at the dessert menu. The apple tart caught my attention and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Separately the elements were pleasant but together…wow! It was delicious without being too sweet and without overpowering the subtlety of the rest of the meal. What could be better than warm, soft apples with sticky caramel and cool creamy ice cream with a ginger biscuit twist?! Loved it!
The whole meal was wonderful. And that’s why we continue to go back to Sails time and time again. If you happen to be in the area, Sails is well worth a visit.