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The Pines, Cronulla
Off the beaten track and 30 minutes south from the hustle and bustle of the CBD is Cronulla, a quaint beachside town known for its hip cafés, and laid-back surf culture. Home to Sydney’s longest continuous stretch of beach, perched just on its promenade is The Pines; an elegant restaurant inspired by The Hamptons.
The Executive Chef, James Metcalfe, has created a menu that emulates the overall vision of the The Pines restaurant; fresh, seasonal and local, with a focus on showcasing the finest produce available from some of Australia’s most celebrated producers. We were lucky enough to sample The Pines Experience, a 7-course tasting menu illustrating the best dishes the restaurant has to offer.
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The Pines, Cronulla
Michelin-trained chef James Metcalfe cut his teeth at Justin North’s Becasse, and the Bellevue and, later, St George in Chippendale. And on a sunny day, there’s no better place to be than in the Hamptons-style dining room enjoying food made even more brilliant by the location overlooking the surf break known as ‘the alley’. Pedal down to The Pines via the shared bike path on the Esplanade so you can cut loose on a few cocktails. Start with roasted beetroot with whipped holy goat’s curd, followed by the pork jowl so loved by Good Food Guide critic Terry Durack or the bouillabaisse built for two.
Hot tip: Those after something more casual can enjoy pizza and Pimms on the breezy Apres Beach patio.
Good Food: The Pines review
$30 steak frites at The Pines Cronulla
Steak night is serious here, as chef Nicholas Sum gives the beef a lick of umami with Koji, a fermented food from Japan often made with rice. "Koji acts as a tenderiser, deepening the flavour and creating a truly balanced combination of salty, sweet, sour and bitter," Sum says. Each John Dee flank steak is served with fries and red wine jus.
Good Food Rating: 14.5 / 20
People tell me all they want to do is dine outside. It feels more open and relaxed, they say; but what they really mean is safer.
It makes The Pines quite the hot ticket at the moment, with its Beach Bar terrace and large, whitewashed dining room with windows thrown open to beach views, right in the heart of Cronulla's famous restaurant "alley".
For a joint that opened last November, it's pulling an excitable party-time crowd. At a rough estimate this sunny lunchtime, I'd say it's 30 per cent family groups and 70 per cent off-the-shoulder frocks and stilettos (that percentage possibly skewed by the presence of a hens' party).
It's a dreamily attractive Hamptons-style setting, from the luxurious booths inside and the high stool seating on the terrace, to the park of Norfolk pines across the road, echoed by a tiny graphic pine tree on plates.
It's so attractive that when Adam Cryer, Brian McCarthy, Lenny Davis and Ross Robinson approached chef James Metcalfe of JRM Hospitality to help set up the kitchen and menu, he says he jumped at the chance to join the business.
Not Quite Nigella
The Pines is one of Cronulla's newest restaurants open in November 2020. It has a gorgeous view of the water, a sleek and contemporary open air dining room, a casual side bar for walk-ins and 1,000 bottle wine room.
The executive chef at The Pines is James Metcalfe, originally from Britain who has worked at Michelin starred restaurants in London and at Etch, The Bellevue, Saint George, Freddie Greens and The Bourbon in Sydney.
Concrete Playground
Though technically taking its inspiration from The Hamptons, The Pines in Cronulla, with its chic, neutral palette, pops of greenery and meat-heavy menu (though it's got a vegan one, too) would fit right in in the south of France.
The beachfront eatery, which opened November 2020, has James Metcalfe as its exec chef and former Rockpool and Merivale sommelier Chris Hoy heading its beverage list.
The menu is extensive and features everything from four-week dry-aged steaks ($38) and koji cured-flank ($38) to smoked ham and pineapple pizza ($29). For a real treat, order the seafood bouillabaisse ($110), which feeds two and comes with a whole baguette.
New Opening: The Pines Brings A New Coastal Dining Experience To Cronulla
Escape to The Hamptons at the stylish new beachside restaurant, The Pines.
Sydney, we know you love waterfront dining. No matter the occasion, enjoying a delicious meal with a side of water views is always a good idea. With summer nearly upon us, an exciting new waterfront dining spot has just swung open its doors. The best bit? It brings a stylish yet relaxed Hamptons vibe to the shores of Sydney.
Meet The Pines, the new coastal dining experience now open in Cronulla. Set just footsteps from North Cronulla beach, this airy new restaurant will be the perfect spot to sip your way through leisurely long lunches this summer. With sweeping views of the coastline, The Pines takes its name from the famous Norfolk Pine trees that line the vista below.
- https://eatdrinkplay.com/sydney/the-pines-cronulla/
5 designed restaurants to celebrate Spring…
The Pines 'Food with Friends' Menu
Cronulla's newest venture is The Pines, a warmly outfitted restaurant with plush seating and an airy bar and dining room down by the sea. Executive chef James Metcalfe (who has worked at two-hatted restaurants in Sydney and Michelin-starred restaurants in London) will work alongside seasoned sommelier Chris Hoy (ex-Rockpool) on the beverages. This diverse international team is headed by general manager Brian McCarthy, originally from the US (who has worked for the Ritz Carlton brand around the globe). Opt for the set Food with Friends menu ($75 pp), which comprises a succession of carefully composed dishes such as leek and parmesan croquette with charcoal mayonnaise, a salad of pickled beetroot and burrata, and squid ink risotto, all of which sing of the season.
- https://www.visitsutherlandshire.com.au/five-restaurants-designed-to-celebrate-spring
The best places for cocktails in the shire…
Velvet French @ The Pines;
You'll often see crowds of impossibly beautiful people spilling out from this glam new bar and restaurant near to 'the Alley'. Here, the drinks list conjured up by beverage director Chris Hoy (ex-Rockpool) has a touch of cinematic flair. While we love the luxurious Velvet French, our real favourite is The Norfolk, which includes an artfully placed sprig plucked from the evergreen trees embroidered around parks in Cronulla.
- https://www.visitsutherlandshire.com.au/the-best-places-for-cocktails-in-the-shire
Now open…
The foundation of the menu emulates the overall vision of the restaurant; fresh, seasonal and local with a focus on showcasing the finest produce available from some of Australia’s most celebrated producers.
‘The Pines will offer a completely unique dining experience to Cronulla locals and beyond, something he believes the area is currently missing. Chic, yet informal, The Pines takes inspiration from The Hamptons, celebrating the beauty of the local coastline and the desire for a premium experience locally, elevating Cronulla dining to a new level.’
Convenient location. Epic views.
Located in the heart of the Cronulla dining scene, The Pines is perched above the iconic North Cronulla beach and has views spanning the coastline, with the name paying homage to the famous Norfolk Pine trees that line the vista.
Media
For any media or PR enquiries please contact brian@thepinescronulla.com.au