THE recently refurbished Rocks Restaurant, at Coral Sea Resort, has a new ‘modern Australian’ menu created by new chef Michael Dominici.
Michael’s decade-long career spans Hamilton Island, Hayman Island and the Gold Coast, and his menu refresh at The Rocks is focused on dishes that showcase the best local and Australian produce.
Michael’s signature ‘Rock’ entrée is an edible work of art, featuring specially prepared black onyx beef fillet with yuzu spiced dressing, mustard and charred shallot.
“My favourite dish is our South Australian Lamb backstrap main, wrapped in house made lamb bacon, served with pea emulsion and a mint glaze,” said Michael.
Freshly caught ‘fish of the day’ options include Whitsundays snapper perfumed with the scent of citrus and smoking paperbark.
The prawn curry, meanwhile, fuses local prawns with jasmine rice, spiced curry leaf and pickled cucumber, and the seafood platter showcases lemon herbed reef fish, oysters and Whitsunday tiger prawns.
“The best seafood is the fish you can catch right out the front,” said Michael. “Our fisherman have boats running up and down miles of coastline here, and I’m also using the strong local supplier relationships I built in my previous head chef roles to bring the best produce to diners at The Rocks.”
Michael recently got married and purchased a house nearby; his wife Tammy works with him in the kitchen as resident pastry chef, plating up a range of decadent and creative options such as a dessert style Pina Colada, with pineapple panna cotta, coconut cake, roasted pineapple, malibu gel and lime.
The Chocolate Orange pave is served with a chocolate wattle seed torte, caramelised orange and orange sorbet, and pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s internationally sourced Rose wines.
The Rocks patrons can enjoy the coral sea breeze while working their tan and their tastebuds over lunch, dining alfresco in the recently refurbished, relaxing poolside surrounds.
The Rocks restaurant is open for lunch, breakfast and dinner, seven days, and runs alongside a cocktail bar with panoramic sea views and exclusive pool club.
