My best friend Bronte and I share a mutual dilemma, we enjoy
living a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget.
We love our cocktails, designer clothing and fine dining
however we also like overseas jaunts and these tend to come with a large price
tag which requires months of budgets and sacrifices.
So it was to our absolute delight that we were able to find
a way of experiencing fine dining while not breaking the bank!
This fabulous award winning Restaurant that I am talking
about is ‘Hugo’s Manly’.
For a grand total of $70 for the both of us ($35 each) we
left feeling like we had been adequately wined and dined. All while enjoying
the stunning view overlooking Manly Wharf… and of course the fine view of the
waiters and bar staff, my lord there are some fine looking men in Manly!
Our dining experience started at the bar where we ordered
two glasses of the Antonini Ceresa Prosecco while waiting to be seated. The bar
is made up of gorgeous dark timber, comfy bar stools and flattering
downlighting… always much appreciated after a long day at work!
We were then taken to our seats overlooking Manly Wharf’s beautiful waterfront where we ordered the Chorizo and Octopus share plate to be
followed by the (incredibly large) Mushroom Pizza, and of course another round
of the refreshingly light Prosecco.
The share plate was presented in a way that even the
Masterchef judges would find hard to fault. The Octopus was cooked to
perfection and the Chorizo was deliciously salty without the sickening oily
after-taste that is so often common.
The mushroom pizza, however truly deserves a round of
applause! Now I know what you’re thinking… mushroom pizza?? Snore! However it
is not just any mushroom pizza… oh no!
This pizza features wild mushrooms, taleggio, goats curd and
caramlised onion all placed on the crunchy base in a way that only Pete Evans
could come up with. To feature any other ingredient would be a crime!
My hot tip for dining at Hugo’s is that you MUST order the
pizza! There are a number to choose from and all have been designed by TV Chef
(and once joint owner) Pete Evans of “My Kitchen Rules’ fame. Oh those big blue
eyes… anyway, that’s off topic…
The pizza’s are HUGE and definitely large enough to share
between two people, unless you’re a rugby player… obviously!
If Mushrooms aren’t your thing, there is also the slow
roasted pork belly with sweet and sour onions, or the chilli prawns with
roasted capsicum, tomato and salsa verde. Bellasimo!
Don’t just take my word for it, Hugo’s have won a gazillion
awards.. ok slight overreaction.. but just to name a few there is the ‘Best
Pizza in Australia’ award won at the Australian Fine Food Show, and ‘Best Pizza
Restaurant in NSW’ at the Restaurant and Catering Awards.
So if you feel like dining in luxury without having to forgo the other little luxuries you had planned for this week’s pay cheque, make sure you head to Hugo’s Manly.
So if you feel like dining in luxury without having to forgo the other little luxuries you had planned for this week’s pay cheque, make sure you head to Hugo’s Manly.
