Overview
Things sure are looking up for Sydney's northern beaches these days, especially when it comes to wining and dining. Last year, Merivale opened its hugely popular venue, The Newport, and this year it snapped up The Collaroy Hotel with plans for a relaunch. Now, The Mona Vale Hotel delivers another win for the area, reimagined as a food and entertainment hot-spot called The Park House Food & Liquor.
The first part of the site's hefty, two-year redevelopment is officially open to the public. It's called Park House Food Merchants, and is a multi-faceted venue, complete with restaurant, cocktail lounge and all-weather courtyard.
In the kitchen, Head Chef David Clark (Jamie's Italian) is drawing inspiration from Southern California's food scene, for a vibrant, share-focused menu peppered with Mexican, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. On it, you'll find dishes like baked snapper fillet with tahini dressing, slow-cooked lamb forequarter with herb pilav, and a whole suckling pig that's carved right there at the table.
Meanwhile, the bar's slinging an eclectic, well-traveled wine list, alongside a solid range of craft beers and barrel-aged cocktails.
A craft beer bar called Front Yard Brews & Burgers also opened just before Christmas, with Parkside Truck Stop transforming the pub's car park into a food truck destination from early 2018.
Park House Food & Liquor is now open at 2 Park Street, Mona Vale. For more info, visit parkhousefoodandliquor.com.au.
Updated: January 30, 2018.