Bellarine’s culinary gems Claribeaux and Surfside Café bask in Golden Plate glory

SEVERAL of the Bellarine’s prized culinary hot spots have been recognised at this year’s Golden Plate Regional Hospitality Awards.

The Golden Plate Awards were established in 2003 and celebrate the achievements of eateries, cafés and cocktail bars across regional Victoria.

Claribeaux, a French-inspired restaurant located at the Curlewis Golf Club, delighted this year’s judges and took home the Best Value Menu and Best Casual Dining Awards.

The establishment’s head chef, Luke King, was also runner up in the Best Chef category.

Approaching only its second birthday, this is already the second time Claribeaux has been recognised with the Best Casual Dining Award.

Jamie Brigden, general manager at Curlewis Golf Club, said it was an “amazing achievement from the team” and he was hopeful the restaurant would be able to hold the award for a third year and earn a place in the Golden Plate Awards Hall of Fame.

He said it was a commitment to using local produce, focus on customer service and the love the venue’s staff have for their work that had aided in the restaurant’s success so far.

The judges were particularly impressed with Claribeaux’s “sleek dining room”, “expansive views”, “season-striding menu” and drinks selection.

“The kitchen hums like Edith Piaf, the bar slings bevvies with aplomb, and the staff wouldn’t look out of place in Juan-le-Pins,” the judges said.

Ocean Grove’s Surfside Café took home the title of Best Coffee in regional Victoria.

The café has now held the award for two consecutive years.

Owner Nick Maikantis said the endorsement was an “honour”.

“We’ve been rewarded for our hard work and the passion we all have and we’re just so humbled and continually looking to grow and develop.

“We roast our own coffee as well…which is something we’re very proud of.

“It’s our own unique roast which makes it even more special.”

Once dubbed the Bellarine’s best-kept secret, this year’s judges highlighted Surfside Café’s endless, all-day queues of customers.

“The café has a great and faithful following, serving great value food and the best coffee on the Bellarine,” the judges stated.

“All of this from a small space at the Bellarine swimming pool in Ocean Grove. The secret is out!”

Mr Maikantis said about 70 per cent of Surfside Café’s clientele did not use the pool facilities, instead travelling from far and wide to try the café’s coffee.

The Q Train, a moving restaurant that travels between Drysdale and Queenscliff along the Bellarine Railway, was recognised with the Best Menu: Local Drinks List Award.

The restaurant was also runner up in the category of Best Menu: Local Produce, and its apprentice Ebonii-Rose Tapp was also runner up for the Apprentice of the Year Award.

The award for Best Unlicensed Café went to Ket Baker.

Labelling the bakery an “amazing success story”, the judges said Ket Baker offered the “best quality breads and pastries in the region”.

For more information, head to goldenplateawards.com.au