Venue Of The Month | Donny's
Most visitors to Manly head straight through the crowded wharf, bolt the length of The Corso and plunge headfirst into the ocean. Many don’t wander into Market Lane, and therefore miss out on some of the seaside suburb’s most interesting dining spots.
Amongst them is Donny’s Bar and Restaurant, an industrial-looking setup that would feel more at home in hipster-ish Brooklyn than the five-minute walk to the beach. Designed to give it a New York “loft-style” aesthetic, Donny’s is the brainchild of Matt Clifton, who apparently also lives in the area & Tol Broinowski. Donny’s opened in Late last year in the building that used to be Space Bar. Executive Chef Richie Dia is also no stranger to funky American-style restaurants, having worked for 17 years in the USA, and has worked and consulted on restaurants around Sydney since 2003. He’s very big on local and seasonal produce, so expect to taste the difference when you sample their menu.
The restaurant is divided into two areas. The upstairs dining area, complete with an open kitchen where you can see the staff as they cook and prepare meals (and even have a chat to them, if you like - they don’t bite!), serves mains and tapas-style sharing plates. The downstairs bar area, where the main bar and small stage is located, serves drinks as well as the tapas menu, with live music a regular feature. A perilous spiral staircase separates these two area - they’re winding and narrow, and pretty hard to negotiate after a few (or maybe even just one) cocktail. You’ve been warned!
The cocktails are certainly hard to resist. For chocolate lovers, try The Cuban ($17), an enticing mix of dark chocolate and Havana Anejo infused with raisins. Did you note the freshly brewed coffee scent? That’s the espresso added to the cocktail for extra punch. If you’re over rum and strong liquor, give this one a wide berth, but if not, this creative cocktail is one to try. If something a little fruitier is more your bag, try The Jukebox ($18). Made with lemon, cinnamon and muddled apple (which you definitely can’t miss), this one will, as the people at Donny’s say, have you “singing the night away.” The star of the cocktail list though, must be The Bonzai ($18). It’s so refreshing and easy to drink! Made with Plymouth Gin, lime, mint, apples and cucumber, the Bonzai is a fantastic drink with which to just kick back and relax.
The entrée and tapas menu is conveniently divided up into three sections: Donny’s Dumplings, A Little Peckish and A Little More Peckish. Entrée prices range from $9 for the Beer Battered Chips with Garlic and Lime Aoli to $22 for the Garlic Prawns and Chorizo, and, as explained to us by Chef Dia, seafood features heavily on the whole menu, taking advantage of the beachside location.
The entrée choices are varied enough to provide a range of options for groups. If you’re after dumplings, try the BBQ Pork Buns (3 for $12), the popular Prawn Gar-Gee dumplings (5 for $12) or the Crispy Chicken and Shitake dumplings (5 for $12). If want something with a little more ‘oomph’ to it, try something from the A Little Peckish or A Little More Peckish list. Get stuck into the Prosciutto and Persian Fetta ($20), which may be too cheesy for some but you can’t beat a good Prosciutto. If you’re looking for the seafood, you can’t go past the Roasted Scallops ($22). Served with beetroot puree and pistachio, you’ll definitely enjoy the seasoning on this plate.
Most of the mains contain some seafood element, and range from $27 for the Oven Roasted Chicken n’ Garlic King Prawns to $32 for the Salmon and Barramundi Wellington. The latter is Dia’s signature dish – twice-baked and filled with baby capers, roasted capsicum and sun-dried tomatoes, and served with butterfly garlic prawns with basil and lime puree. Every care has been given to ensure all the flavours come out. You might also try the Crispy Skin Tasmanian Salmon ($32) (which can also be swapped for Barramundi). The salmon was cooked to perfection, and was served with an interesting toasted sesame seed crumble, adding greatly to the salmon flavour.
Once you’re done with your mains, move onto the desserts. On offer are the Strawberry and Passionfruit Tart and the Classic Baked Blueberry Cheesecake, both $16.
Donny’s plays live music most nights, and if you check out their Facebook and Instagram pages you’ll see many a rollicking night filled with great music, great food, great drinks and just generally a great time had by all.
To win a diiner for two at Donny's for Valentines Day, head over to our Facebook page to enter.
By Erica Enriquez
Donny’s
7 Market Lane, Manly
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 4pm to midnight
Friday - Saturday 12pm to midnight
Sundays 12pm to 10pm.
For bookings and enquiries call 9977 1887 or bookings@donnys.com.au
