Review by Eating and Sleeping 2014

Although Sails is a popular place for weddings and functions, you’ll regret it if you wait for a special occasion as an excuse to dine at one of Noosa’s most talked about restaurants.

Our Verdict:

Sails is a spectacular place to eat; we couldn’t fault it on any level. It ticks all the boxes in terms of venue and menu. If you’re in the Noosa area then book into Sails for lunch or dinner and experience the quintessential Queensland beach lifestyle and meals they offer.

The Arrival:

We walked into the restaurant from the street entrance (there is also an entrance right off the beach) where a friendly staff member greeted us warmly. It was a beautiful day so naturally we were seated at one of their sheltered, outside tables. Here we had both an uninterrupted view of the white sandy beach and the cool breeze coming off the ocean. We were quickly handed menus and offered a selection of drinks – we were surprised to find that the water had a delicious lemon infusion.

What We Did Like:
The restaurant is easy to get to and there’s plenty of parking options in Noosa.

What We Didn’t Like:
Nothing.

The Menu:

It’s the restaurants practice to ensure that every dish they send out to their customers is as fresh and organic as possible. Their menu is changed often and always highlights the seasonal produce sourced from pesticide and genetic modification free farms. Sails attempts to prepare as much of the food in-house as possible so they know that the end product consistently represents their clean, uncomplicated menu. No matter what you end up ordering, you can expect every dish to be a creative blend of fresh flavours.

What We Did Like:
There seems to be no limitations – the restaurant has an extensive lunch menu. And these aren’t your run-of-the-mill lunch options.

What We Didn’t Like:
Nothing.

The Service:

Patiently serving a busy restaurant known for outstanding service when you’d rather be at the beach can’t be easy. But theSails staff effortlessly tended to everyone’s needs and went the extra mile. Their amicable nature was contagious as they stopped by tables to chat with the guests. They also demonstrated a strong knowledge of the menu and of the regular specials. We noticed that they helped a few different tables in the difficult choice of deciding what to order from the large menu. The service we experienced was absolutely excellent.

What We Did Like:
The staff worked tirelessly but with a smile and they made us feel instantly comfortable. They also worked well as a team and we never had to wait for our meals.

What We Didn’t Like:
Nothing.

The Ambience:

It must be the cool ocean breeze and the vibe from the Noosa holidaymakers but it’s impossible to have anything but a carefree dining experience at Sails. Naturally the restaurant exudes coastal-style décor with wood flooring, crisp white tablecloths, look-a-like cane chairs and adorable porthole wall features. Not to mention the gorgeous Laguna Bay only a few metres away; any closer and you’d have sand between your toes! What better view is there than one of Australia’s white sandy beaches with glistening turquoise water?

What We Did Like:
Most definitely having the beach so close and getting to enjoy the beautiful ocean breeze while we ate.

What We Didn’t Like:
Nothing.

The Food:

-Entrée:
Sashimi Plate – Mooloolaba Tuna, Hiramasa Kingfish, Petuna Ocean Trout. From the way our fish tasted it would have to have been sourced fresh from a local trawler that day, it was fantastic. The sashimi had the usual Japanese accompaniments which combined provided a nice little mix of textures and flavours. Raw fish isn’t for everyone but if you are a fan don’t pass up this dish!

Trout Stuffed Zucchini Flowers. Only one word to describe this dish: WOW. We’re not sure if this is a regular so you better rush to Sails to give it a try. The trout and flower were perfectly tempured and complimented by an acidic Noosa red tomato slice with an appropriate amount of seasoning. It was all finished off with a stick of fried haloumi and we couldn’t stop eating it.

-Main:
Barramundi – Cone Bay Barramundi Fillet, Grilled Vegetable Caponata, Tahini Dressing. Certainly not your typical barramundi dish; the chef has turned fresh, local ingredients into a Queensland staple that you won’t forget.

Special of the Day Lamb Shank. This was quite heavy for a lunch but it was well worth it! Sails have taken a slightly different approach to the traditional slow cooked lamb shank. The meat was roasted to perfection and fell apart at the slightest touch. This was all wrapped in a sausage-like casing which added a little crispiness to each bite. Along with the lamb shank meat the restaurant also stuffs the rolled package with a variety of herbs and bread crumbs. And sits the entire thing on a bed of risotto, vegetables and mushrooms. Mmmm the lovely balance of the stuffing to the richness of the meat? Unbeatable dish.

-Dessert:
Pavlova – Sunshine Coast Strawberries, White Chocolate Cream. As you can imagine Sails delivered a delicious dessert. The pavlova had a crispy shell, a soft middle and was finished off with fresh whipped cream, passionfruit curd and strawberries. It had just the right mix of sweet and savoury. The only thing we would improve is to add more of those famous Sunshine Coast fresh strawberries. But otherwise it was an impeccable finish.

What We Did Like:
Each dish was a credit to the chef’s great skill of being able to mix local and fresh ingredients splendidly. We were very impressed and certainly did not leave hungry!

What We Didn’t Like:
Nothing. Except maybe a few more of those stunning strawberries.

Gallery Sails Restaurant