There are a few restaurants in Sydney that have that wow factor that extends beyond the palate. Sydney’s coastal and harbour locations give us to die for vistas - there’s nothing more amazing than watching a storm rolling in at Bondi beach, and you can either be eating fish and chips on the beach or be tucked up inside the glass walls of Icebergs with a drink not more than a moment away.

Aqua Dining is nestled in between Luna Park and the North Sydney Olympic pool at Milsons Point a stone’s throw from the Harbour Bridge. With the city skyline, Opera House and bridge all viewable with a single glance, it makes this location a perfect setting to bring an out of town guest.

A complimentary shot of tomato and prawn soup was served up prior to entrees of the Yamba prawn tartlet, served with a Persian feta, creamed leek and salsa verde and tuna carpaccio - with a crab and celeriac remoulade.

The tartlet is a signature dish for Jeff Turnbull, the succulent and enormous prawn hard to surpass, however it was the yellow fin tuna carpaccio that was outstanding with the complimentary flavours of the crab and celeriac. Tuna carpaccio would be one of my all-time favourite dishes, and here was an exemplary example.

With a lengthy and deep wine list on offer we selected a Riesling to accompany the roasted fillet of blue eye cod and the barramundi fillet. The cod was served atop a bed of pea and lemon risotto accompanied by grilled scampi and pancetta. The peas bursting with flavour – this with the citrus flavours complimenting the cod fillet to perfection. The barramundi was served with large basil gnocchi, asparagus and ocean trout roe. It was one of those nights where I ‘won’ with both dishes, which is quite an unusual event.

As I finished K’s risotto, she no sooner had complimented the flavour with the last of the bottle of wine. The wait staff with no hesitation provided another glass of wine at no charge. This was typical of the whole service experience for the evening. Always there when you wanted something, but certainly not intrusive.

With my arm twisted, I chose the strawberry and basil soufflé. A strawberry soufflé ordinarily might be considered quite mundane, however the addition of the basil was certainly unusual, yet it was far from being out of place. Perfect for those who ordinarily would not order a sweet dessert, and considering that nine times out of ten I will order a soufflé, this was certainly one of quality. The vanilla and cherry crème brulee was rich with a generous serve of cherry ripple ice-cream and a definite safe bet for those who think basil might be best kept for an entrée or main.

This was a dinner experience that was hard to fault in all aspects of dining.

Returnability: Without a doubt – the only comment being the mains which I felt were perhaps slightly overpriced, however one should remember that you will pay for a location such as this.

Score: 17.5/20
Monday to Saturday dinner menu: Entrees $25.0 to $28.0. Mains $35.0 to $49.0. Dessert $19.0 to $23.0.
Fully licensed
Cnr Paul & Northcliff Streets, Milsons Point