Hemingway's Manly

After a late lunch at a near by cafe just off Manly beach, we decided to drop by Hemingway's to kick up our heels and chill with a few cocktails. As we settled around the corner wooden table near the bi-fold red windows, a dark brown apothecary-styled bottle and 4 glasses with ice were brought to our table, Hendrick's Gin on the rocks to start our afternoon? Not a bad idea, but, it was just water. 

Self described as a small bar and casual dining place, Hemingway's Manly pays homage to the American author and journalist who was known to enjoy his drinks, perhaps a little too much.

The dining room upstairs is a relax and intimate affair and at dinner time serves up dishes such as 'kiev' (spatchcock, black garlic, corn, asparagus) and 'sticks & stones' (scotch quail eggs, marrow, crostini, salsa verde). I must remember to come here for a meal when I find myself in the neighbourhood again. 

Hemingway's Cup

The bar downstairs is casual and friendly, white metal garden chairs and tables, bar stools, wooden tables and cushioned benches and a bookcase filled with books of various topics against a feature wall.

The menu is made up of pages stabled inside old encyclopaedias. The "Liquor" section offers beer & cider, wine, suggested mixers and house cocktails. A selection of bar food and desserts can be found under the "Food" section. 

The house cocktails are an interesting bunch. My friend's Coola (Gin, apple, Cottee's, lemon, Midori, aeroplane jelly) reminded me of a kid's cordial drink with its bright green colour; whilst my Hemingway’s cup (Hendricks Gin, rose & apple tea, cucumber, sugar & spice) made me think of high tea. It was served with a floating rose bud in a tea cup, and accompanied by sliced cucumbers instead of biscuits. Both cocktails were light and refreshing and would suit a nice summery day to a T.

pb&j

One dish caught my eyes while I was looking through the desserts page, and I just had to order it: pb&j (peanut butter parfait, raspberry, brioche, jelly, sorbet, brittle, jam). It sounded delicious on paper, looked extremely appetising on the plate, and tasted like guilty pleasures with its sweet frozen peanut butter parfait ice cream, crunchy bits of peanut brittle and brioche, and finished off with melt-in-your-month freeze dried raspberries. 

Sipping cocktails while looking out through the open bi-fold windows and enjoying the view of the beach and water across the road on a late Sunday afternoon, now, that was time well spent.

Hemingway's: 48 North Steyne, Manly, NSW 2095