The Rocks Mornington The Rocks Mornington is an award-winning waterfront restaurant specialising in seafood. Boasting the most enviable waterfront location that offers panoramic views over the spectacular Mornington Harbour, you can sit back, relax and watch the boats come and go while keeping an eye out for playful dolphins as you dine. Owned by the De Santis family, who have been running successful restaurants in the area for more than 50 years — including Rugantino Restaurant in the 1970s, Julius Caesar restaurant in the 1980s and ‘90s, Via del Mare Restaurant in the ‘90s to early 2000s, D.O.C since 2010 and then The Rocks since 2001 — this venue is an institution. Catering for both locals and tourists, it’s known for serving up only the freshest seafood of the highest quality. You can choose to sit inside the main dining space, which affords you exciting views into the open kitchen as you watch the team of talented chefs hard at work shucking, filleting and creating mouthwatering dishes. You are encouraged to select your own fish, weigh it and converse with the chefs, providing an interactive experience that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Or if you prefer, take a step down into the covered outdoor deck area and you will be rewarded with expansive water views with the Mount Eliza shoreline in the distance and the sea breeze filling the air. The menu is generous and diverse with a variety of choices in The Rocks’ catch of the day list. Fresh mussels collected from the boat only metres away can be cooked in tomato and chilli, or perhaps white wine,
garlic and parsley is more your style. Barbecued whole calamari, freshly shucked oysters, sashimi served on ice as well as a live saltwater tank is a dream come true for any seafood lover. Pick your own lobster or mud crab and sit down to a totally indulgent feast. Not all the menu is seafood, however, with a variety of proteins including steaks, lamb and vegetarian options as well. There is a Japanese and Asian influence with a delicious buns and dumplings section; expect tempura eggplant bao, tempura soft shell crab sliders and prawn and scallop siu mai dumplings along with a raw section that highlights the chef’s sashimi skills. Beverages are sourced both locally and abroad, and don’t forget to check out the Rocktails, a selection of divine cocktails perfect for sipping as you watch the blue sky gently turn into a gorgeous pink sunset. In partnership with the Mornington Yacht Club, The Rocks also offers a brilliant event space that includes an enormous balcony overlooking the water. Events are tailored to suit your needs using a restaurantquality menu that will have your guests gushing about it for months afterwards. The function room seats up to 100 guests or 250 stand-up canapes-style. Worth a look when planning your next event. Opening hours: open seven days for breakfast and lunch, 8am-3pm; dinner 5.30pm-late (closed Sunday nights July/August only)
The Rocks Mornington I 1 Schnapper Point Dve, Mornington P: 5973 5599 I www.therocksmornington.com.au therocksmornington