Overview
Three Blue Ducks is expanding its collection of ever-popular farm-to-table eateries with a new road trip-worthy regional restaurant. Following the opening of a Snowy Mountains outpost in 2020 (and closures of its Brisbane restaurant and original Bronte cafe), the hospitality group has now turned its attention to the New South Wales mid-north coast to showcase the area's renowned produce at a venue in Bellingen.
Opening on Thursday, July 13, this new addition to the Three Blue Ducks family will be located at scenic Bellingen hotel The Lodge, expanding the group's current slate of locations to five alongside Rosebery, Byron Bay, Melbourne and Nimbo. Located on the hotel's 16-acre gardens, the restaurant will offer all of the hallmarks of Three Blue Ducks with a menu that favours bold, spice-packed dishes.
"We've always loved working with spice, lemongrass, ginger, chilli, makrut, et cetera, and after working closely with the local producers and farmers, we've created a menu for the restaurant that showcases these flavours," says Three Blue Ducks' Darren Robertson.
"The menu draws from some of the favourite dishes we've cooked during our travels and at our other locations over the years, combined with new dishes to keep it fresh and exciting for us, our staff and people that drop in."
The Three Blue Ducks crew has been working with a range of local suppliers including Levenvale Farms, The Patch Organics, Nautical Wholesale Seafood, Coffs Coast Mushrooms and Promised Land Organics to pull together a menu that places the spotlight on the best beef, seafood, chicken and vegetables that the region has to offer.
The all-day restaurant will kick things off early on Saturdays and Sundays with Single O coffee and brekky favourites like the restaurant group's beloved granola, bacon and egg rolls, avocado and roasted mushroom toast, and cocktails like Bloody Marys and cherry blossom spritzes. From there, Bellingen locals, hotel guests and tourists alike can settle in for a flavour-packed lunch or dinner, with a hefty a la carte selection available alongside a series of set menus.
There's a prominent Asian influence throughout the menu, with dumplings and bao on offer as starters, salt and Szechuan pepper squid and prawn toast available on the smaller plates, cauliflower curry on the mains and a chocolate yuzu eclair ready to round out your meal.
Other highlights diners can expect at Three Blue Ducks Bellingen include beef tartare with fragrant chilli oil and togarashi; lemon, lime and south plum duck; fried chicken sandwiches; ponzu-topped oysters; flat-iron steak with citrus butter and curry leaf; and miso caramel cheesecake.
There will also be a separate functions menu, with the Three Blue Ducks team working with The Lodge to offer private events and catering for weddings.
The Lodge boasts 30 individual rooms, luxury glamping options, a pool with day beds and a bar, and five alpacas that wander the gardens. Reservations for the restaurant are open now.
Three Blue Ducks, Rosebery
Three Blue Ducks Bellingen will open on Thursday, July 13 at The Lodge, 1381 Waterfall Way, Bellingen. It'll be open for dinner Monday–Sunday, lunch Friday–Sunday and breakfast Saturday–Sunday.