Champagne on a Beer Budget

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.