The Boathouse Group has announced its venue at North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club will be finally opening its doors on 18 October. It was initially slated to open mid-year.
Located on the top floor of the club overlooking the beach, the 120-seat venue comprises of a bistro and a bar offering casual pub-style food.
The Boathouse Group head of culinary and Illawarra resident Mark La Brooy, along with head chef Lachie Houghton, have developed a menu that celebrates the local surrounds from the land to the lakes and sea.
“As someone who lives in the area with a young family, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to create something truly special for the community,” he said.
“We are keen to work with all the local south coast producers from Tathra and Bermagui and closer to home, like Lake Illawarra. There’s snapper, oysters, crustaceans, blue and yellow fin tuna and local leather jacket, and venison is also aplenty in the hills behind the beach.”
At the bistro, dishes will include charred octopus and pork belly skewers, potato scallops with whipped roe and harissa oil, as well as blue swimmer crab spaghettini, and rump steak with peppercorn sauce and truffle fries.
Meanwhile, the bar menu consists of classics “done well”, from wagyu beef smash cheeseburgers to Mark’s fish n chips. Wood-fired oven pizzas with all the usual toppings are also on rotation.
The Boathouse Group is best known for its waterside venues across greater Sydney, including the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). North Wollongong Surf Club is the group’s first location outside of Sydney.
“We are excited to announce a new chapter, and the South Coast felt like a natural choice, with its stunning beaches, vibrant local culture and growing tourism,” The Boathouse Group CEO Antony Jones said.
“We wanted to create a venue that feels like a perfect fit for this community, while also offering something new and exciting, whether you’re a local popping in for a casual drink with friends or someone travelling to explore the area.”
The opening of the restaurant marks the final piece to the club’s long renovation journey. Work on the club has been ongoing since it received the green light from the Wollongong City Council in 2021.