From the SOURCE

There is lots to love about fresh produce in autumn, the season of “mellow fruitfulness”, and Dimitris and his talented team at The Cowrie are making the most of locally sourced ingredients.

“This is the first time we have structured a menu that relies so heavily on locally sourced produce,” says Dimitris. “We decided to design around the produce at hand rather than design a dish and then source our ingredients. It’s very exciting but also much more challenging.

“Thankfully, a lot of local growers have been in touch with us which has been extremely encouraging and welcomed. For example, we have a local honey producer who has some of the best raw Australian honey I’ve ever tried so we created a whole dessert with it simply called Australian Honey.”

The Cowrie’s new-season menu features produce from growers in nearby Mangrove Mountain, Cooranbong, Mardi, Ourimbah Creek and Jilliby.

“We have been really supported by great feedback from our guests and this has encouraged us to keep pushing with menus and produce that is ultimately fresh and a little outside the square,” Dimitris adds.

Sustainably farmed Aquna Murray cod also continues to feature on the menu. “Supporting Aquna is important to us as the quality and availability of most seafood is constantly in question.”

Towards the end of the year, The Cowrie Cellar dining experience will be launched, while the front of the restaurant is being redesigned and will feature a small and intimate bar menu. It will be the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail, some international cheeses or small tapas-style dishes with friends.

Join locals in the know at The Cowrie in Terrigal to sample executive chef Dimitris Aronis’s superb new-season menu.

The wine list includes wines from some of the best regions in Australia, along with a fabulous selection of French, Italian, American and South African wines. “There are many small producers mastering some great wines and we want to be able to draw on them, too,” Dimitris says. Watch this space!

The Cowrie is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Saturday and for lunch on Sunday, at 109 Scenic Highway, Terrigal. To book, call 02 4384 3016 or see thecowrie.com.au