Must eat
Top End chef David Taylor gives you a taste of the good tucker to be found in the Territory
The 19th Hole
ADDRESS: Humpty Doo Golf Club 565 Pioneer Drive PHONE: 8988 1118 OWNER/Chef: Wittaya Duagmalai ENTREES: $8 to $16 MAINS: $17 to $36 OPEN: Everyday 6 to 9pm STAR QUALITY: 4/5
Whowouldda guessed a decent friendly feed could be found out the back of Humpty Doo, at a golf club at that?
Formed in 1984 by a group of mates at a privately property with a four-hole course. Tenacity and resilience of this band of Territorians soon found a bigger lot and was gifted it by the government of the day. They put up with very little for a long time. I was choofed to be joined by legends Bob and Margret Shewring.
Bob known for his long battle to bring back our boys buried in Vietnam.
Margret recalls going out for a game and placing the green fees in a tin can, nailed to a tree.
With greens made of sand and a lot of red dirt, everyone left the course a bit very grubby. Those days gone. Airconditioned clubhouse, flushing toilets, bars, keno, sports on TV, this place totally buzzes on the weekend.
I heard a whisper from a Thai friend that a Thai family had taken over the 19th Hole Restaurant, so have been meaning to get out.
This is a happy, family style bistro serving members and guests.
The menu is extensive, offering your favourite Aussie bistro meals and a good selection of Thai and Asian choices.
We picked out way though a couple of share plates of appetisers. These were OK, mostly the usually cocktail offerings with sticky sauces.
Being a born and bred Territorian, Bob went straight for the barra.
Two pieces in beer batter with chips, salad and a citrus mayo.
He was either happy or polite, stating it was pretty good. I guess you shouldn’t ask a fishing guy.
Margret gravitated to the grilled chicken breast topped with prawns and avocado in a creamy garlic sauce.
She too was happy enough and made sure all of the topping was eaten.
Not able to finish the breast, it was passed onto hubby to complete. It sure looked good to me.
Our Sober Bob went for the Pappardelle Pasta. I was lucky enough to get a taste.
Smoked salmon, baby spinach, avocado, dill, ribbons of zucchini, capers and a creamy sauce. Drizzled evoo and sprinkled with tomato salsa and Parmesan. It was all of that and more. I love the ultra-thick ribbons of pasta that is Pappardella. At $25 it is excellent value.
Lamb cutlets (four) with mushroom risotto and French beans was my pick. I swapped out the red wine jus for a peppercorn gravy.
The cutlets were seasoned with lemon pepper, so I figured it would work. It did. Cutlets were a bit over my requested medium but were still tender and tasty.
I loved the risotto but it could have done with some parmesan. The beans were perfect.
I need to mention that the steaks on offer hare all 100 day grain fed, big and exceptionally good value. I will return for a Cape Byron 450g rib eye fillet soon, before they work out they made a mistake.