COTTAGE POINT KIOSK - Cottage Point

Cottage Point Kiosk is not to be confused with the Cottage Point Inn. Both are very close in location, but both offer very different dining experiences albeit both with equally sensational water views. I have been to the Cottage Point Inn in my pre-blogging days, and had a beautiful relaxed lunch enjoying the fine food and watching the sea planes gliding in to drop off and pick up diners. On my more recent visits to the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, I have made a few visits to the more casual Cottage Point Kiosk. To find both, you need to turn off Mona Vale Road into the National Park, and the signs point you to Cottage Point. Once you find the end of the road, you are there. Parking is in the street, and the street is steep. A few houses surround this area and the Ku-rin-gai Motor Yacht Club is also between the two eateries. From here, you can see only glimpses of water through the trees, but once you start walking down the stairway, the view opens up to beautiful watery vista. The kiosks is an old weatherboard house build in the early 1900's with a small courtyard with outdoor seating and a boat shed underneath. A few steps take you up to the sheltered, but sunny verandah. Its a unique setting hidden down by the water. The Kiosk also trades as a general store, but what surprised me was the quality of the food. They smoke their own smoked salmon on the premises, they also have daily specials such as Barramundi Fish Curry or Ocean Trout Terriyaki. We perused the menu and took a seat on the verandah, however, today I had picked to come during the worst dust storm Sydney has had since 1939! The view was still stunning, just not as blue as it usually was. I have mostly visited during the week, so it has always been peaceful, and today was no different. I was there with the lad, one other table had a local with two tourists showing them the area, and down in the courtyard, the local boaties came to eat their packed lunches and have a great cup of coffee from the kiosk. There was a bit of rumbling when one brought his dog down, and the resident 3-legged seadog got a bit territorial and gave chase. He was old and mangy and obviously a little cranky, but didn't mind us talking to him at all. This morning, the lad and I had been exploring Akuna Bay Marina and were disappointed to see that the dust storm had kept the cafe closed, so by the time we got to Cottage point, we were really quite hungry. The lad wanted his usual egg and bacon role (really big and yummy) $10.50, and I decided to have the thai fish burger and was abolutely blown away with the freshness, flavour and SIZE of it. I think my plate was about 40cm wide, and with the chips (also crunchy and delicious) it filled the whole plate. I wasn't prepared for the size, but as it was a bit costly at $24.50, I was quietly happy that it was. Both of us started eating with gusto. We ate, and we ate, and we ate until the lads plate was clean. I managed my burger, but even together we couldn't polish off the chips! We sat there groaning with delight and despair. There was nothing left to do but to sit and watch the boaties go back to work, watch the birds flying low (I think the dust affected them a bit) and listened to the waves lapping quietly alongside the pontoon. As the kiosk is open 7 days, I'm sure it gets more crowded than this, and I imagine brunch would be popular. They also serve a very generous devonshire tea (the tourists had to take a doggy bad, the scones were so big). Even though the location is within the national park, the turn off to Cottage Point is just before the barrier gate, so there is no cost to get in if you are coming down from Mona Vale Road. From all of the seats you enjoy the views of the water and surrounding bushland. It is a truly beautiful spot. The style of the house is quaint, and they have photographs dating back to 1885 around the verandah, so it has been a local icon for many years. I love this place, and will definitely come back. I wouldn't call it a cheap eat, but you certainly get a good feed in a non-fancy atmosphere. Good food, fresh air and great views..what else could you ask for? Cottage Point Kiosk can be found at 1 Notting Lane, Cottage Point. 9456 3024. www.cottagepointkiosk.com.au Happi eating!