Estate Coogee: Something to Get Excited About

By Joel Bevilacqua on October 12, 2020 in Food

Violet crumble with nitro salted honeycomb. Photo: Vaida Savickaite

It’s been a tough year, especially for people who like to venture out and have a good time, but it looks like we may finally have something to get excited about.
The full reopening of Estate Coogee, which can only be described as a three-in-one super venue that includes a Hamptons-style seafood restaurant, a next-generation taqueria, and a California-inspired beach club, is by far the most exciting thing to happen in the Eastern Suburbs since the riddled Ruby Princess docked back in March.
The beachfront Estate is located in (but not operated by) the Crowne Plaza and comes courtesy of creative director chef Matthew Butcher, who owns seven restaurants across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Washington DC and has worked with culinary heavyweights like Gordon Ramsay.

The start of spring heralded the reopening of the Terrace, meaning Estate once again offers three different dining experiences. The Terrace is an outdoor, California-inspired beach club unlike anything else in the area. There are tropical palms, fairy lights, bean bags and couches to chill out on, and a vintage Airstream trailer serving a range of cocktails and bar snacks (think lobster rolls, ceviche and pulled pork sliders). The open-air section is periodically filled with the sound of live music, DJs and a giant projector playing live sport and old school surf films like Point Break. One look at this place and you can tell it’s going to be endless fun over summer.

In the middle is the Kitchen, the main dining area. Fresh, local seafood is served here, among other classics. The Kitchen is elegant and the food top notch yet it deliberately steers clear of ‘fine dining’, with Hampton’s style outdoor furniture making for a refined but relaxed experience. Seats outside enjoy a view of the beach, and a private dining room is available for up to 20 guests. You can watch chefs Scott Edington and Michael Tran prepare your kingfish crudo, poached prawns tostadas, Cone Bay barramundi with Champagne butter sauce, or even a succulent Wagyu tri tip in the open kitchen.
The desserts are equally tempting. The New York cheesecake ice-cream is a magnificent merger and the theatrical violet crumble with nitro salted honeycomb (pictured) will no doubt appear on many a model’s Instagram story.

If you feel like a party and a feed, then head to the Taqueria. The next generation cantina is brought to life with neon lights and colourful furniture, and a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s ideal for a quick bite and a drink, with a range of tequila, cocktails, beer and tortilla tacos on offer. Hidden within the Taqueria is the Confessional, a private, soundproof karaoke room available for hire where you can get up to all sorts of mischief.
All three venues are unique but all have one thing in common; they have that little bit of X-factor that makes them feel new and exciting, and right now that’s worth its weight in gold.

Estate Coogee
Cnr Arden and Carr Streets, Coogee (Crowne Plaza)
Web estatecoogee.com
Phone 9315 9179
Open Taqueria: Mon-Wed 4pm-late, Thu-Sun 12pm-late, Kitchen: Sat-Sun 12-3pm, Thu-Mon 5.30pm-late, Terrace: Fri 4pm-late, Sat-Sun 12pm-late
Prices Taqueria: Tacos 2 for $12 or 4 for $20, Kitchen: 4-course set menu $79 per person, Terrace: Estate lobster roll $20, pulled pork slider 3 for $20
Cards Master, Visa, Amex
Licensed Yes