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Tides Waterfront Dining

May 12, 2015 by Maureen 43 Comments

Tides Waterfront Dining

Photo courtesy of Tides.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for our visit to Caloundra for lunch at Tides Waterfront Restaurant with friends Jan and David.  We love getting out for a (very) long lunch every few weeks and we have the best time – every time. It’s wonderful to spend time with people who love and respect each other as well as both of them being intelligent and fun. Isn’t that a lovely smile?

Jan

We arrived and parked at the beach and walked across the road and down the street to the restaurant. It’s upstairs but if you walk up Minchinton Street, it’s at street level and looks directly across to the beach and Pumicestone Passage. Turn a bit and we could see the Glasshouse Mountains and turn back and we could see the Pacific Ocean.

View from Tides, Caloundra

The interior is crisp and contemporary and we were pleased to be seated right next to the windows so we could enjoy the view while we caught up with who’s doing what. Tides has seats for 75 diners, leaving us plenty of room to be ourselves. I would have taken more photos inside but I won’t invade the privacy of other diners.

Tides Waterfront Dining

We hadn’t been seated long before being offered water and drinks and once we placed our order, food was on the table. You know they’re doing a good job when nobody says, “How long have we been waiting?” None of that here.

We opted for the 2 course meal for $37.50 each. There’s a 3 course meal for $50 but none of us thought we could hold that much food at noon and still accomplish something later on.

Confit Duck

Jan ordered the confit duck leg that came with braised cannellini beans, chorizo and herbs. I watched her pull apart that slowly cooked duck and for a moment wondered if I had chosen the wrong thing.

Mooloolaba Prawns

David ordered the Mooloolaba prawns which were sauteed with chorizo and served with a panzanella salad.  Mooloolaba is the city nearby and there are lots of prawn trawlers around. The local prawns were well cooked and when paired with the spicy chorizo, David thought the flavours were well matched.

Rump Steak

As you know, I have trouble with seafood and fish so I ordered the rump steak. I gave it two thumbs up for flavour but it was tough and difficult to chew. I wonder why a restaurant with an Australian Good Food and Wine hat would choose to serve a tough piece of meat. I know it’s not just me because when I ordered it, our server said it was difficult to cook it more rare because it was a tougher cut of meat.  (That should have told me something.)

My steak came topped wonderful sauce of porcini mushrooms, bacon and finely chopped vegetables as well as sliced and roasted kipfler potatoes. All the flavours worked for me and I would have been in heaven with a more tender piece of meat.

Green beans with bacon and parmesan butter

A meal is always better when you add a few sides so we had the green beans with bacon and parmesan butter and we ordered roasted kipler potatoes with thyme salt too.

Roasted Kipfler Potatoes

We decided on a bottle of Hazard Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon wine and we found it fresh and fruity and very drinkable. It’s not an expensive wine – more of an enjoy it now and don’t think about it again wine.  The tasting notes say musky aromas of ginger, quinine and lemon zest with a smoky overtone but to me it tasted like wine.

Rhubarb Crumble

As we finished up the wine, our server came by with the dessert menus and within minutes we were tucking in to our sweets. First was the apple and rhubarb crumble with chantilly cream – with visible vanilla seeds. The crumble was tart and tangy and perfect to finish up a meal.

Chocolate Mousse

The winner of the desserts with this quenelle of Belgium chocolate mousse that was creamy and light as a feather. Along side the mousse was a square of fudgy chocolate that had been showered with freeze dried, powdered white chocolate and topped with a toasted marshmallow. There was also chocolate shards, hazelnut cream and pistachio powder that pushed this dessert to the top in both taste and presentation.

Cheese plate

Finally we enjoyed the cheese plate of triple brie, crackers, fruit and quince paste. If cheese is on the menu, that’s always a favourite.

Our hats are off to chef Anthony Shone, the New Zealand born chef who has created a lovely menu. We’ll be back.

Tides Waterfront Dining
Upstairs Corner of Minchinton street and Esplanade
Caloundra, Queensland 4551
Tides Reservations

This meal was independently paid for.

Filed Under: Eating Out Tagged With: caloundra restaurants, tides waterfront dining, where to eat on the sunshine coast

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Comments

  1. Vicki Bensinger says

    May 12, 2015 at 11:59 pm

    First of all, did you redo your website? I don’t recall it looking quite like this – it’s stunning! As for your meal, I would have never known that steak was tough from the photo, it looked amazing. In fact all the dishes did. What beautiful photos and website.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 13, 2015 at 6:14 pm

      LOL about a year ago, Vicki. 🙂 The steak didn’t LOOK tough at all, it was gorgeous.

      Reply
  2. Ala says

    May 13, 2015 at 1:34 am

    This is such a lovely review – I love all the bright, relaxing photos! Crazily enough, I’ve never even heard of a cheese plate for dessert before – but you bet that I would order the same thing. Hope you’re having a lovely week!

    Reply
  3. Mary Frances says

    May 13, 2015 at 4:01 am

    I agree Maureen, not much in life is better than dining on great food with great company. And what a beautiful ocean view to take in all in with!

    Reply
  4. Eva Taylor says

    May 13, 2015 at 5:06 am

    It’s too bad your lunch wasn’t up to par but the other dishes look amazing. I would have gone with the prawns too they look amazing. The dessert looks great too. It’s so nice to have neighbours as lovely as your neighbours, we get on with ours very well too.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 13, 2015 at 6:13 pm

      We have been the luckiest people when it comes to neighbours.

      Reply
  5. Juliana says

    May 13, 2015 at 5:09 am

    OMG! Everything looks perfect…and what a nice piece of meat! Yes, I am a big meat eater…
    Have a great week Maureen 🙂

    Reply
  6. A_Boleyn says

    May 13, 2015 at 5:20 am

    I can’t decide WHOSE meal looked more delicious even if the steak ended up being tough. The desserts were gorgeous from the humble apple and rhubarb crumble to that frou-frou chocolate mousse plate. Freeze dried white chocolate??? I WISH I could get my quenelles to turn out so nicely. I have to admit to being tempted by the cheese plate though cause of my ‘salty’ tooth. I love quince paste and wished I could have seen it more clearly. Is it that dark square in front of and to the right of the brie wedge?

    And what a beautiful and very elegant setting to enjoy it in with a lovely view.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 13, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Yes, it was very very dark and rich. yummo

      Reply
  7. Chris Scheuer says

    May 13, 2015 at 5:21 am

    How fun, it sounds like a wonderful lunch but I don’t think I would have been able to walk away from the table. I’d still be sitting there at dinner time – but I bet their dinners are wonderful too!

    Reply
  8. Melissa B says

    May 13, 2015 at 5:43 am

    The pictures look great! =)
    and the food sounds yummy.

    I’m glad you had a great time!

    Reply
  9. Roberta says

    May 13, 2015 at 5:54 am

    Beautiful and delicious food. Gorgeous view. Good friends and laughs. Life does not get any better than that!!

    I would have ordered the prawns. YUM drools.

    Reply
  10. Nagi@RecipeTinEats says

    May 13, 2015 at 7:19 am

    Wow! That’s a BARGAIN for such an incredible meal in such a stunning location! I’m jealous. 🙂

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 13, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      AND a hatted restaurant. I was very pleased.

      Reply
  11. Veronica (Roni) says

    May 13, 2015 at 7:46 am

    Aren’t the views just glorious? And particularly at this time of year….
    What a special way to appreciate food, friends & fortune…happy days Maureen :)) xx

    Reply
  12. The Ninja Baker says

    May 13, 2015 at 8:33 am

    That view and dessert (oo-la-la) makes me want to visit Tides Waterfront Dining…Maybe a visit to LA’s finest Japanese tempura restaurants might change your mind about fish =)

    Reply
  13. Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says

    May 13, 2015 at 8:51 am

    Oh, pity about your steak – Maureen – because it certainly looks good!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 13, 2015 at 6:11 pm

      I know! It was beautiful to look at. Most of it went back to the kitchen. The flavour WAS great though.

      Reply
  14. Lizzy (Good Things) says

    May 13, 2015 at 9:22 am

    How delicious, and what a gorgeous location, Maureen! Note to self, must go here next time we’re in Queensland!

    Reply
  15. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

    May 13, 2015 at 9:41 am

    Ohh how nice. The restaurant is lovely. The prawns would be my choice and that chocolate dessert – oh my! Such fun and your lovely neighbor has a wonderful smile 🙂

    Reply
  16. Sugar et al. says

    May 13, 2015 at 10:03 am

    Gorgeous food and great choice of menu. I would probably need 4 serves of the chocolate mousse because it’ll be over in seconds for me:-)

    Reply
  17. Anna @ shenANNAgans says

    May 13, 2015 at 11:17 am

    Wow, what gorgeous photos, I feel like I am right there with you.
    The prawns look amaze, so does the choccy mousse.

    Reply
  18. Marilyn Lesniak says

    May 13, 2015 at 11:20 am

    What a gorgeous place to dine with friends. That meal looks mouthwatering delicious!

    Reply
  19. Nancy | Plus Ate Six says

    May 13, 2015 at 11:42 am

    Wine always tastes like wine to me too 🙂 I was looking at your photos and feeling quite homesick for blue skies, sea breezes and beautifully Australian produce. Shame about that rump steak though.

    Reply
  20. Hotly Spiced says

    May 13, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    It’s such a beautiful setting and I love the starched linen on the tables. I would definitely have ordered the confit duck and the cheese platter. How wonderful to have neighbours who are also good friends xx

    Reply
  21. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    May 13, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    I haven’t had duck confit in ages. That looks wonderful. In fact everything looks wonderful! Sounds like my kind of place — thanks.

    Reply
  22. David Crichton says

    May 13, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Salivating at all that beautiful food and the most wonderful setting.

    Reply
  23. Amy @ Elephant Eats says

    May 13, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    wow, that looks like a gorgeous place and an amazing meal. My mouth is watering…

    Reply
  24. Sneha says

    May 14, 2015 at 12:41 am

    First of all, did you redo your website? I don’t recall it looking quite like this – it’s stunning! As for your meal, I would have never known that steak was tough from the photo, it looked amazing. In fact all the dishes did. What beautiful photos and website.It’s too bad your lunch wasn’t up to par but the other dishes look amazing. I would have gone with the prawns too they look amazing.The prawns would be my choice and that chocolate dessert – oh my! Such fun and your lovely neighbor has a wonderful smile. 🙂 🙂

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 14, 2015 at 11:08 am

      I redesigned my site a year ago. 🙂

      Reply
  25. Abbe @ This is How I Cook says

    May 14, 2015 at 2:55 am

    That is one gorgeous restaurant. So wish I was there to dine with you!

    Reply
  26. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

    May 14, 2015 at 4:45 am

    What a wonderful restaurant, every dish looked amazing but I have to admit it was the steak that grabbed my attention, too bad it was tough! Your photos are incredible!

    Reply
  27. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    May 14, 2015 at 7:56 am

    That’s a great price for waterfront dining. I don’t think you’d ever find that sort of deal in Sydney. A shame about the steak, when it is done well with great sides it’s heaven!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 14, 2015 at 11:08 am

      I was shocked – for a restaurant with a good food hat, too. I suppose it IS Caloundra. 🙂

      Reply
  28. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    May 14, 2015 at 9:32 am

    This post just made me SO hungry!!

    Reply
  29. Liz says

    May 14, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Everything looks incredible—and now I’m craving brie! So sorry about your beef—how disappointing!

    Reply
  30. cquek says

    May 14, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    ahem is that you? gosh you look so beautiful . i like your hair.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 15, 2015 at 8:49 am

      No, of course not. That’s Jan. She’s blonde and blue eyed. I was born with jet black curly locks.

      Reply
  31. Eva says

    May 19, 2015 at 5:27 am

    What a wonderful place Maureen ! If once I’m going to Australie I know where I can eat a great dinner ! Love the chocolate quenelles ! So gourmand 🙂

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      May 19, 2015 at 1:51 pm

      Oh I wish you would come to Australie!! It would be so much fun showing you around.

      Reply
  32. Suzanne says

    May 20, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    Thanks for a delightful journey through the meal with you. Lovely photos!

    Reply
  33. Allinfopark says

    May 26, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    What a gorgeous place to dine with friends. That meal looks mouthwatering delicious. It was an wonderful feeling .. 🙂

    Reply
  34. minnie@thelady8home says

    June 9, 2015 at 1:16 am

    What stunning photos and beautiful pictures Maureen!! Love it.

    Reply

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