Blairgowrie Sorrento Portsea

BLAIRGOWRIE SORRENTO

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

From its history-steeped streets to its holiday shacks and grand residences, the southern tip of the Peninsula is where seasonal partygoers go to kick back and relax. Here, life between the back beaches and Port Phillip is sophisticated with a coastal/city chic atmosphere. Freedom is the order of the day, whether on the sandy shores of the bay looking out over the azure sea or wandering the rugged coastal ridges and rock pools of Bass Strait.

Provedores and paddock-to-plate pioneers celebrate the region’s produce throughout the seasons here, with a dedication to offering excellence as the ferry makes its journey from Sorrento to Queenscliff. Moored yachts sway throughout the day as their white sails swing to the pulse of the breeze before travelling over the water with excited adventurers on board. The sky appears to go on for ever. Blairgowrie, Sorrento and Portsea are renowned for magnificent real estate, delicious wining and dining, and historical significance, but these magical places are much more than this. These gorgeous villages and the terrain that surrounds them are where Mother Nature takes centre stage and deserves to take a bow. Visitors come in droves over the summer holidays with their surfboards and paddleboards as children play with sunscreen lathered on their skin, and there’s always room for an ice-cream or scrumptious sweet treat as the sun goes down over undulating briny streets. Come visit the land of decadent dining and magnificent wining while watching the dolphins play. Come beachcomb, roam, escape and stay.

PORTSEA

Carmel at Sorrento (P.104-105) Mr Bentley (P.106) Mubble (P.109) Panda Bakes (P.106) Panda Blairgowrie (P.107) Sorrento Trattoria (P.108)

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

Carmel at Sorrento

Exclusive, stylish and perfectly positioned, Carmel at Sorrento is luxury accommodation for those who are seeking a sophisticated coastal vacation. Situated on Ocean Beach Rd with all that Sorrento has to offer at your fingertips, this is holiday apartment presentation at its finest.

Escape, relaxation and delicious degustation are all part of the exquisite Carmel at Sorrento holiday experience. Six sleek threebedroom fully appointed apartments – each with their own balcony – provide enough space for the whole family, while the exclusive penthouse suite offers optimum privacy with restricted elevator access and a generous balcony. Stay a while and take in the view over Sorrento.

Carmel at Sorrento’s holiday mantra is clear: here you will unwind, dine and share time with family and friends while enjoying the unique Sorrento-style life. Set behind one of the region’s original buildings, you will feel the history of this charming coastal town come to life as soon as you arrive. Each apartment is uniquely styled and designed with the astute holidaymaker in mind. Modern interiors are decorated with chic wallpapers, quality furnishings, TVs and European appliances, and each apartment includes a large modern kitchen with walk-in pantry, a living and dining room, a laundry, two bathrooms and a powder room, plus a good-size balcony with barbecue. Netflix and Foxtel are a given. The lavish penthouse apartment takes chic vacationing to the next level. Comfortably catering for up to six guests, this ultra-luxurious space with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a vast terrace is ideal for wedding groups and social-minded travellers. Imagine watching the sun go down while sitting around the cosy fire pit with a glass of vino or enjoying dinner on the second covered alfresco dining terrace, which features a TV and barbecue. Nothing has been overlooked inside either. The kitchen has a dishwasher, full-size fridge, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, toaster, and Larsen & Thompson tea. Deluxe linen made for cool comfortable dreaming is mandatory, while the master bedroom is pure extravagance. Carmel at Sorrento offers patrons extra excellence. Upgrade your stay with chardonnay, pinot and shiraz from Paringa Estate, a Jimmy Rum tastings and mixer pack or a family start-up kit, in-season fruit box, chocolate decadence experience or gourmet grazing box. Breakfast delivery from The Boss’s Daughter in Sorrento is available too. Whether you choose an exclusive dining package including dishes created by Mornington catering company Some Guys Food, or whether you book a Coast to Coast cocktail and degustation package where you are taken on a decadent multisensory journey by boutique bar catering company Monsieur Cocktail, Carmel at Sorrento creates holidays with theatrical flair. Why not catch a ferry to Queenscliff, visit a winery, play a round of golf or do some boutique shopping while you are there? A world of holiday indulgence and adventure waits for you at Carmel at Sorrento. Its vision is “to welcome each guest to enjoy the complete holiday experience. Carmel at Sorrento is not just a place to stay”. Take pleasure in it. Open seven days a week. Please check website for further details.

Mr Bentley

Panda Blairgowrie’s newest brother, Mr Bentley, also procured its catchy name in the same manner – from owners Nicole and Jim’s furry children, Panda and Bentley. However, the menu also reflects the old English sheepdogs’ choice treat food – burgers. You’d be barking mad to miss this newest member in the takeaway game.

Amid Melbourne’s lockdown, Panda Blairgowrie pivoted and focused on takeaway burgers, with family packs being particularly popular – the ultimate comfort food. With much tastiness comes much success, and just like that the decision to open a fresh venue was on the table and launched midDecember 2020.

While the spotlight of the eatery will be on flavoursome burgers for takeaway or evening delivery*, of a morning you will be delighted to find bircher pots, granola and chia puddings served in BioPak packaging as Mr Bentley endeavours to be as sustainable as possible. How the team operates at their flagship store is reflected here with a focus on quality produce – local and organic where achievable. Takeaway coffees go hand-in-hand with a wander along the Rye Pier, while a greeting from the dogs is a bonus. Open Monday to Friday 9am-3pm then 5pm til late, Saturday to Sunday 8am-3pm, then 5pm til late * Hours may vary seasonally; visit the website for up-to-date details. * Delivery to commence February 2021

Mr Bentley I 2379 Point Nepean Rd, Rye I www.mrbentley.com.au Mr Bentley Rye mr.bentleyrye

Panda Bakes

Beginning its journey as an add-on service for Panda Blairgowrie during the turbulent Melbourne lockdown, Panda Bakes has grown with voracity. With tantalising grazing boxes and decadent cakes, there’s no surprise that it’s here to stay.

The boxes are filled to the brim with quality produce, and wherever possible it’ll be local and organic. Vegan and gluten-free options are on offer, and you can select from the standard menu that includes Dessert, Savoury, and Sweet & Savoury, or go all out with the Ultimate Box. The capable team can also create a bespoke box to fit your budget, event or occasion or even fashion the finest cake. Seafood picnic baskets are a popular choice to enjoy by the foreshore, and adding a bottle of wine or champagne makes it sublime.

Since also launching Mr Bentley in Rye – Panda Blairgowrie’s new sibling – customers have the added convenience of picking up a tasty treat from either location. Order online and add a picnic blanket if need be, and then collect your feast from the loveable Panda Blairgowrie or the gentleman himself, Mr Bentley. Panda Bakes pick-ups are available from the locations below. Open Monday to Friday 9am-3pm then 5pm til late, Saturday to Sunday 8am-3pm then 5pm til late

* Hours may vary seasonally. Visit the website for up-to-date details * 24-72hrs notice required depending on the boxes

Panda Blairgowrie

Panda Blairgowrie prides itself on enchanting customers with local seasonal produce for both the café and dining menu, which includes stunning, vibrant dishes to ignite your senses. From coffee to cocktails, Panda Blairgowrie is focused on the concept of sharing – the sharing of food, wine, laughter and good vibes. Here the food philosophy is derived from respect for the Earth, endeavouring to source locally and organically where possible and being committed to sustainability – even utilising its own herb garden.

Whether you choose to embrace the seaside air and position yourself either in the north or south-facing garden areas, you’ll be refreshed in the dappled shade provided by the trees. Here you’ve got the luxury of outdoor dining areas suitable for summer entertainment among the stylish garden setting, just begging for a lazy afternoon or evening basking in the live tunes. You’re set for an afternoon of impeccable food and captivating melodies. Visit the social pages for updates on live music sessions, and bookings are advised. Meanwhile, winter sees the fireplace alight and emitting the ultimate cosy relaxation vibes within the sandstone building. Panda Blairgowrie’s two courtyards can host a total of 100 people for outdoor dining, which is ideal as we venture into the ‘new normal’ after the pandemic. It provides the idyllic location for a private event or function. The finer details can be found on the website.

Open Monday to Friday 9am-3pm then 5pm til late, Saturday to Sunday 8am-3pm then 5pm til late. Hours may vary seasonally. Visit the website for up-to-date details.

Sorrento Trattoria

Carmela D’Amore’s welcoming presence draws customers in, alongside the bright interior, delicious aromas, vibrant dishes and homely sense of Italian culture. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported to Carmela’s mother’s hometown in Sicily, where she’s been appointed town ambassador. As the owner of Sorrento Trattoria, her 16-year-old eatery, she specialises in authentic Sicilian food prepared with love and a dash of playful innovation.

Not only is Carmela a highly regarded chef here in Australia, she’s also received international acclaim. Carmela’s talents are many, both as an author – her new fourth book is available from her website – and as the ambassador for Sicilian food for Splendid Sicily. Catch Carmela’s passion for her rich heritage by joining her monthly cooking classes. Travelling regularly to Sicily on her annual culinary and cultural tour provides inspiration for menu updates by cooking and sharing ideas with fellow chefs. Carmela leaves her son, Joseph, to head up the kitchen full time. Entice your senses with the dishes curated from fresh local and seasonal produce mingled with imported certified Italian products that are made by Italian farmers and artisans using only the traditional methods.

Open every day for lunch and dinner during the ‘high season’. For other times, check website for opening days and further details.

Mubble

Sweet dreams are made of ice-cream and sorbet at Mubble, the family-owned and operated ice-creamery that creates deliciously creamy treats ready for whenever you feel the need for spoiling. Or not!

They say that home is where the heart is, and Mubble is living proof. With more than 150 flavours to choose from and with new tastes gracing this happiness-fuelled scene daily, Mubble delivers on excitement and exotic house-made excellence. Fresh fruit juices and smoothies served in biodegradable packaging makes foreshore wandering environmentally conscious easy, while cute Mubble drink bottles are available for purchase so you can do your bit by reusing. All handcrafted ice-creams and sorbets are made from only the best ingredients imported straight from Italy. Whether you’re searching for a velvety-sweet pit stop while out and about or a selection of take-home desserts, Mubble is the place to be. Jump the queue and preselect your pistachio, snickers or vegan salted caramel ice-cream online for a speedy pick-up and to guarantee there’s always something deliciously sweet in the freezer. Dairy-free, gluten-free and multiple vegan options are available so no one misses out on this delectable ice-cream that is made for enjoying solo or sharing.

Mubble ice-cream and sorbet are crafted by Peninsula people for anyone who loves flavour, life and lusciousness. Think decadent. Think dreamy. Think Mubble.

Open seven days a week over summer from 10am-11pm. Off-season: Sunday-Thursday 10am-6pm; Friday-Saturday 10am-9pm Please check website for further details