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Why Catalina Took Out the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide People's Choice Award 2016

Why Catalina Took Out the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide People's Choice Award 2016

by Mireille Kilgour : September 14th, 2015

Looking for somewhere truly special to enjoy your Good Food Gift Card? Try The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide's newly crowned People's Choice 2016 winner, Catalina.

More than 20,000 people voted in this year's The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide People's Choice Award, which takes in the best of metro and regional dining across NSW and the ACT. There was some incredible diversity across the Top 10, including ACT newcomers AKIBA, Terrey Hills' pizza favourite Cavallino and the spectacular Jonah's at Whale Beach. But taking out the number one spot was a Good Food Gift Card favourite, Catalina. It's the second time at the top for this special Rose Bay restaurant and owners Judy and Michael McMahon couldn't be more deserving.

About Catalina

Catalina is a family-owned and operated restaurant in the stunning harbourside suburb of Rose Bay. Owners Judy and Michael McMahon are at the helm, with children James and Kate bringing some fresh life into the floor management. It's a grand family establishment that has locals coming back time and time again, and food lovers from all over the world flocking to Rose Bay's shore. Dining here is like dining with family and it doesn't get much more special than that.

Michael and Judy began their careers with the late Len Evans (OBE), working at the Legendary Bulletin Place. They later moved on to Gay and Tony Bilson's Berowra Waters Inn and by 1983 they had purchased Barrenjoey House in Palm Beach and were opening a restaurant with the young Neil Perry. Both attained two hat ratings in the Good Food Guide.

Five years later they found themselves running the glittering icon that is Bilson's at Circular Quay, but determined to find their own space they could call their family business, they opened Catalina in 1994.

James followed his parents into restaurants with stints at Sydney favourites Rockpool Bar and Grill and China Doll. Kate came up through cocktail bars in the Merivale Group, including time at The Den in the famous Ivy.

Catalina is named after the flying boats that famously ruled the skies over Rose Bay from 1938. It's housed in the same building as the once iconic Caprice and is constantly tweaked to ensure it always looks pristine and fresh. By far one of its biggest drawing cards is the panoramic views over Sydney Harbour and the incoming commuter seaplanes based in front of the restaurant.

The food

Catalina's Head Chef is Mark Axisa, who's made his way up through all areas of the Catalina kitchen over the past 11 years. His long association and experience at Catalina ensures continuity and his passion for the authentic makes for some of the most exciting French, Italian, Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired food in Sydney.

In keeping with its harbourside location, Catalina specialises in seafood. Oysters are shucked to order and the family feel of the place has created some of the strongest relationships with Sydney's best seafood suppliers. If it's unbeatable seafood you're after, then this is the place for you.

Mark's menu changes with the seasons, but the same wonderful taste is always there. Currently you can enjoy delights such as Catalina's house smoked salmon with horseradish cream, capers, cornichons, organic egg and truffle dressing; or the crispy skin Cone Bay barramundi with spanner crab ravioli, enoki mushroom, avruga, sage and eschalot cream. For dessert, treats such as caramelised fig with bitter caramel mousse, brik pastry and sugared pistachio will have your mouth watering, or the full cheese selection with walnut bread, fig paste and fruit is the perfect finish to a meal.

When enjoying the beautiful outdoor bar area, a new, affordable bar menu is available and includes delicious oysters, tasty bruschetta and yummy beer battered goujons. These can all be washed down with Catalina's famous cocktails, such as their fennel and orange martini or their signature Catalina Rose Sparkling.

The setting

The restaurant inside is simplistic in it's design with its main focus being the floor to ceiling windows which give an unparalleled view over Rose Bay. Even on a wet day, this view is stunning. Set within the water, you simply can't get better water views and the arrival and departure of seaplanes adds an exciting element.

The decor is elegant and sophisticated, the food beautifully presented. All in all, it's clear to see why it's The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide People's Choice Award winner for 2016.

Know someone who deserves a special dining experience? Order a Good Food Gift Card today and let them experience the wonder that is Catalina.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.