Lachie Houghton (left) and Mark LaBrooy are preparing to open the doors of the new Boathouse North Wollongong restaurant on 18 October. Photos: Keeli Royle.
The long-awaited surfside restaurant that basks in the sun of the North Beach Surf Club will finally open its doors next Friday, with local chefs revealing the exciting new menu set to serve Wollongong throughout the summer.
The Boathouse North Wollongong will officially launch on 18 October after months of planning, menu curation and construction to transform the vision of head of culinary and Austinmer resident Mark LaBrooy into a reality.
“The place is looking fantastic,” Mark said. “The last 48 hours when you see it … even now it’s like, ‘Wow, we’re going to open next week’.”
Joining Mark is head chef Lachie Houghton, who returned to the region two years ago after finessing his skills around the country.
“I knew Mark’s style and his beliefs around food and that’s something that I’m also very passionate about,” Lachie said.
“I said to Mark years ago, ‘If you ever do anything in the Illawarra, I will be there immediately’.
“So as soon as I saw that he was doing this, I sent him a message and it was game on from there.”
Mark said: “I know Lachie from a previous life in the Three Blue Ducks. He used to work for me up north in Byron and he’s gone on to develop himself quite highly and has really matured in his cooking journey.
“It was a very obvious choice.”
After designing a heartier winter menu when the venue was pitched to open around June this year, the pair adapted to create the perfect offerings for the warmer season.
“The original ideas were very wintery and then being pushed back to the spring to summer menu, it’s a lot fresher, more seafood. We’re working with some great local suppliers to bring that real summery vibe,” Lachie said.
“That great summer produce will really shine through on the plate.”
And with a focus on local and seasonal produce, it will continue to develop depending on what is available.
“I’m so focused on creating from the ocean. I’ve got a strong spearfishing and fishing background and I catch crabs in Lake Illawarra in summer, so I think you’re mad not to feature a blue swimmer crab,” Mark said.
“Particularly on that raw-fish side of the menu and grilled-fish options, just letting the season and the ocean do the talking – we’ll soon arrive at our marlin run for early summer, the mackerel from the north will start to come down and obviously this is a notorious snapper fish area.
“It will just be what’s running.”
Lachie and Mark are boasting a menu for everyone, from those wandering up with sandy feet to others wanting a fine-dining experience.
The menu includes beachside staples such as fish and chips and a cheeseburger, and the pizza oven is already fired up, but there is also something unique for every appetite.
“I’ve got a cracking little potato scallop dish with a whipped roe and harissa oil and I think that’s going to be a nice little bar snack here,” Mark said. “And I’ve got a great pepper-seared venison and am doing a bush to beach – essentially a take on a surf and turf.”
Lachie added: “We’re doing a beautiful raw tuna crudo with an avocado buttermilk mousse and a great dressing made from a bunch of citruses. A hot summer’s day with a cold drink and one of those will be pretty nice.”
But Mark was determined to show that good food doesn’t have to break the bank.
“I’d like to make sure that we’re quite price-conscious,” he said. “We’re not coming down here to put a fine-dining price tag on a seaside venue.
“We want it to be accessible where people can come off the beach with sandy feet and sit down outside and have a beer and enjoy themselves, but also if you want to come into the bistro and be waited on and have full service and see a beautiful space, we also have that offering.”
The venue is preparing for a bumper summer as crowds flock to the beach, and is ready for the challenge and excited to bring the region something new.
“The food we’re going to be offering, Wollongong hasn’t seen anything like this yet,” Lachie said. “It’s new, it’s fresh, it’s 2024, it’s Mark LaBrooy and it’s going to be great.”
The Boathouse North Wollongong opens for lunch, dinner and everything in between on 18 October and is already taking bookings through its website.
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