ANZAC Day as we know it was first celebrated on April 25, 1916 as Australians came together to honour those lost at Gallipoli during the First World War.
These days the Dawn Service is as popular as ever, usually followed by a ‘gunfire’ breakfast and a march with veterans proudly displaying their medals, many with younger family members along for support.
The traditional game of two-up takes place at RSL clubs around the country, as mates get together for an icy ale and many a tale. It’s a time to celebrate our service personnel and their contribution to the Australian way of life that we all cherish.
Here are five venues to remember our diggers this Thursday:
Breakfast with a View
Commemorate ANZAC Day this Thursday with a scenic view over Terrigal at The Cowrie Restaurant on Scenic Highway. Uniquely located high above the city with stunning panoramic ocean and bay views, enjoy breakfast with a barista-made coffee on arrival, with your choice of plates such as truffled scrambled eggs, potato rosti, baby spinach, tomato and thyme relish and sourdough toast.
Lunch and dinner guests are spoilt for choice with mains such as lamb backstrap, olive tapenade, bone marrow dumpling, celeriac and baby vegetables; while a kids’ menu of chicken, chips, salad, soft drink and a scoop of ice cream will keep hunger at bay.
Open All ANZAC Day
Outstanding value, meals and service are on the menu at the Geelong RSL bistro on Barwon Heads Road in Belmont. From a simple parmy with a couple of mates through to gourmet Porterhouse and Scotch fillet steaks, dining here is a true culinary experience catering for a wide range of tastes and styles in a spacious dining room that is warm and inviting.
Photo credit: Otto Eszes.
After attending the Dawn Service at Eastern Beach, head to the RSL club for a gunfire breakfast with family and friends; dine later in the day and devour favourites such as beer-battered flake, chips, salad and aioli, or chicken Kiev, mash and seasonal vegetables.
Views Over the Bowling Green
Dine with views over the bowling green and beyond, capturing the best Mosman has to offer, at Rolly’s Bistro @ Warringah Bowls on Bradleys Head Road. Find a light-filled and stylish dining room, or dine alfresco and watch the bowling action, as you catch up with family and friends over a delicious meal and drink.
Meet mates at the club on Thursday and share a bucket of Provencale mussels and crusty bread, washed down with an icy ale; then devour finger-lickin’ good Texas smoked ribs, served with chips, slaw and pickles.
ANZAC Day Buffet Breakfast
Tasmanian favourites and international flavours meet at Dalton Café on Victoria Street in Ulverstone. This Devonport eatery exudes a charming vibe of concrete flooring, timber table settings, Edison bulb lighting and shelves stacked with produce; while on balmy days the alfresco dining area and deck beckon to soak up the sun with a coffee and slice of cake.
The ideal place for a breakfast buffet after the Dawn Service, treat the family to fresh fruit, Danish, bacon, chipolatas, oven-roasted tomato, baked beans and spaghetti, hash browns, scrambled, fried and poached eggs, buttered mushrooms and spinach.
ANZAC Eve Autumn Degustation
A long-held tradition at Sandalford Wines on Caversham Road in Perth, the ANZAC Eve degustation dinner is a beautiful array of dishes, curated from the finest elements of Executive Chef, Alan Spagnolo’s seasonal Autumn menu, enhanced by winemaker Ross Pamment’s choice of premium wines from the Swan Valley and Margaret River vineyards.
Expect plates such as wood-fired Abrolhos Island octopus, roasted fennel, shallots and muscatel vinegar herb dressing, paired with Sandalford’s 2018 Estate Reserve Verdelho as you relax and enjoy an intimate and exclusive evening of all things epicurean.
