Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS 175
(US$120), Fri–Sat A$300 (US$195); Premier rooms Mon–Thurs A$225 (US$146), Fri–Sat A$350 (US$228);
suites Mon–Thurs A$265–A$450 (US$172–US$293), Fri–Sat A$410–A$630 (US$267–US$409). Ask about
weekend packages. Breakfast included. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; snooker room. In room:
TV, coffeemaker, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
Katoomba Street has many places to eat and stop for a coffee. Among the
cheaper and more atmospheric alternatives are The Flapping Curtain Café, 10
Katoomba St. (& 02/4782 1622); Café Zuppa, 36 Katoomba St. (& 02/4782
9247); Blues Café, 57 Katoomba St. (& 02/4782 2347); and the Elephant
Bean, 159 Katoomba St. (& 02/4782 4620). All serve regular cafe fare such as
focaccia, burgers, and typical breakfasts, as well as some more exotic dishes. All
four are highly recommended by the locals. The not-so-great fish and chip shop
on Katoomba Street is fine if you’re starving.
Chork Dee Thai Restaurant TRADITIONAL THAI Loved by the locals,
Chork Dee offers good Thai food in a pleasant but modest eatery. Served up is
the usual Thai fare, including satay, spring rolls, and fish cakes to start, and lots
of curries, noodles, and sweet-and-sour dishes for mains. While vegetarians
won’t find anything without meat or fish to start with, there are plenty of veggie
and tofu dishes available as a main course. BYO.
216 Katoomba St., Katoomba. & 02/4782 1913. Main courses A$7.70–A$17 (US$5–US$11). AE, MC, V.
Sun–Thurs 5:30–9pm; Fri–Sat 5:30–10pm.
Lindsay’s INTERNATIONAL Swiss chef Beat Ettlin has been making
waves in Katoomba ever since he left some of the best European restaurants
behind to try his hand at dishes such as pan-fried crocodile nibbles on pumpkin
scones with a ginger dipping sauce. The food in this upscale, New York–style
speakeasy is as glorious as its decor—Tiffany lamps, sketches by Australian artist
Norman Lindsay, and booths lining the walls. The three-level restaurant is
warmed by a cozy fire surrounded by an antique lounge stage that resounds
every night to piano and classical music, or a jazz band. The menu changes every
few weeks, but a recent popular dish was grilled veal medallions topped with
Balmain bugs (small, saltwater crayfish), with potato and béarnaise sauce.
122 Katoomba St., Katoomba. & 02/4782 2753. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$14–A$24
(US$9.10–$16). AE, MC, V. Dinner Wed-Sun 6pm–midnight.
Paragon Café Value CAFE The Paragon has been a Blue Mountains’ institution
since it opened for business in 1916. Inside, it’s decked out with dark wood
paneling, bas-relief figures guarding the booths, and chandeliers. The homemade
soups are delicious. The cafe also serves pies, pastas, grills, seafood, waffles,
cakes, and a Devonshire tea of scones and cream.
65 Katoomba St., Katoomba. & 02/4782 2928. Menu items A$3–A$10 (US$1.95–US$6.50). AE, MC, V.
Tues–Fri 10am–3:30pm; Sat–Sun 10am–4pm.
TrisElies TRADITIONAL GREEK Perhaps it’s the belly dancers and the
plate smashing, or the smell of moussaka, but as soon as you walk through the
door of this lively eatery you feel like you’ve been transported to an authentic
Athenian taberna. The restaurant folds out onto three tiers of tables, all with a
good view of the stage where every night Greek or international performances
take place. The food is solid Greek fare—souvlaki, traditional dips, fried
haloumi cheese, Greek salads, casseroles like mother could have made, whitebait
(tiny fried fish), and sausages in red wine—with a few Italian and Spanish extras.
If it’s winter, come in to warm up beside one of two log fires.