Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel at Whale Beach has been an icon for almost 100 years and the arrival of Winter means the chance to discover why, with special ‘locals only’ offers to experience the fabulous food, wines, service and style.
Jonah’s has one of the best locations in Australia, one of the most amazing collections of more than 1600 wines from around the world – and an equally impressive array of awards, among them the award last year for ‘Australia’s Best list of wines by the glass’.
During winter, on Thursday and Fridays, Northern Beaches locals can indulge in 2 courses from Jonah’s a la carte menu, a glass of Sommelier selected wine and a side to share, for just $99 per person. To book you must call Jonah’s on 9974 5599.
Head Sommelier Georgina Larsson and Executive Chef Rey Ambas are a dream team when it comes to matching fine food and wine – an art in itself that can create magic moments.
“A wine and food moment is always memorable” Georgina says.
“Sometimes it can be off hand and merely an apparatus for a quality conversation or perhaps a footnote to a memorable special time with family or friends. It can be a cultural journey of flavours not yet experienced and stories unheard.”
The expertise and planning that goes into the Jonah’s food and wine experience is itself unmatched!
“Our pairings can be changed throughout the season, depending on what we want to highlight in any given dish,” Georgina says.
“The a la carte menu is guided by seasonal availability which allows the wine program to evolve constantly. We try to stay off the beaten track offering a chance for adventure in a glass. Wine, after all, can elevate the sensory perception of any dish.”
“Georgina and I tend to think the same way with menu items,” says Chef Ambas. “There is a lot of behind the scenes talking between us working on, flavours, textures, seasonality– there is so much behind the scenes that goes on prior to creating any menu.
Wine Dinner Series
If you want to dive deeper into the Jonah’s food and wine experience, check out their upcoming Wine Dinner Series where Georgina selects some of the best, rarest and most interesting wines, perfectly matched to 4 courses of Jonah’s cuisine – a process that draws on the many talents of the Jonah’s team.
Georgina explains: “A wine region or producer is featured and the kitchen is guided by the Sommelier – the Chefs are provided with a seasonally specific curation involving a list of protein options, preferred spice or herbal highlights and cooking techniques. The kitchen’s creative team then returns with a series of plating options which we tweak in collaboration to best represent the wine and food pairing, guaranteeing best balance and flavour.”
These special dinners are on:
11 July – Stargazer – featuring small batch wines from Tasmania’s Samantha Connew.
8 August – House of Arras – celebrating the finesse and precision of Australia’s answer to Champagne – Tasmania’s House of Arras.
28 September – Champagne Bollinger – an unmissable evening of elegance – taste rare vintages and cuvees with a member of the Bollinger family.
Winter Getaway Package
Another way to enjoy Jonah’s is the Winter Getaway Package – which includes a night of luxury in an Ocean Retreat room, a glass of Bollinger Champagne on arrival, a 3 course a la carte dinner, and full breakfast, available from June to the end of August for $399 per person twin share, on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights.
Visit their website www.jonahs.com.au to book.
Jonah’s winter menu will feature some special seasonal treats.
The Executive Chef, Rey Ambas says that “Winter is one of the most exciting seasons, all the cold, windy weather just asks for those amazing rich and warm flavours”.
“One thing I am looking forward to bring into the winter season is Australian Black Truffles!”
Jonah’s source their premium truffles from The Truffle Farm in the Canberra region.
“Every year we highly anticipate the truffle season, and it welcomes us to create an innovative way to let our customers explore Australian black truffles for themselves,” Rey says.
“In August we will be creating special dinners to really showcase what we can do with black truffles.” Keep any eye out on Jonah’s social pages for dates and details.
And a final word on wine-matching from Georgina – do the old rules about white wine with fish and poultry/red wine with meat still apply or have any validity?
“There are no rules, just choices on a scale!” she says. “Though it’s true that some flavours just don’t complement each other. For example, I’m yet to be convinced that a heavily oaked, warm-climate Shiraz is a match with Oysters!
“The sommelier team at Jonah’s will be guided by your table’s preferences and with 50+ years of experience between our wine team and 1600+ wines to choose from, of which over 60 are available by the glass, we can certainly find the path for your entire table’s enjoyment.”
Jonah’s Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
9 Bynya Rd, Palm Beach NSW 2108
Phone: (02) 9974 5599
Article sponsored in support of local news.
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