Page 57 - Port Douglas Magazine 34

PHOTO CREDIT: Judy Gittin

ALL THAT JAZZ

Cooler than Coltrane every month at Zinc.

long lazy lunch! It is no secret; I am an advocate. No desk abundance of fresh produce, with the hero, exactly that, the hero in
in sight, no cardboard takeaway containers and no fifth every dish. Sunday was now a delicious treat.
A cup of coffee as a lunch substitute. In the background there were a few boisterous cheers of
Just excellent food, with a glass or two of something delicious, shared encouragement. The band had gained an additional two members
with people I love and no finish time! Now I am not talking about from a large table of obvious locals. Who doesn’t take their guitar
irresponsible service of me, but I am suggesting no “must do’s” in the and flute to lunch? As we savoured our sashimi and sipped on a
afternoon calendar! crisp sauvignon, they had now recruited a popular vocalist in Judy.
Last month I discovered what is destined to become a newfound Now six, we were moving from smooth jazz to more swing and an
favourite in Zinc’s Monthly Jazz Lunch. It did not take long for impromptu dance floor for those inclined. The atmosphere was
me to persuade my partner and some friends that this was a great vibrant - get as involved as you like (the boys were now asking for
idea for our Sunday. Booking online was easy, a table of four for requests … in jest, written on the back of a $20 was optional) or
12.30pm. Excellent. enjoyed in the background. It was great fun to watch, and revel at
We arrived to the smooth sounds of ‘Bernie’s Jazz,’ with guest David the talent of the band recreating our requests on cue.
Pyke. A four piece band (Harry, Andy, David and Bernard), they New patrons strolling past were unable to resist, drawn in by (Sittin’
looked like they had done some rounds of the tour and could tell On) The Dock of The Bay, aka jazz style and the laughter from those
you a story or two. They welcomed us with a friendly nod as we were on the inner. Later that afternoon when Bernard, Harry and David
shown to our seats. finally laid their instruments to rest, Andy remained. Guitar in hand
he mesmerised the audience with his acoustic rendition of Stairway
Our table was in a great spot - a view of the band, a sweet breeze and to Heaven.
we were able to converse easily without competing with the tunes. A
leisurely glance at the menu, a bottle of bubbles on the way and the Oh the joys of live music, oh what an afternoon!
scene for the afternoon was set. As Bernie’s Jazz Band casually began packing up, they moved
Our lovely waitress reappeared with our drinks order and talked through the restaurant, thanking us for coming. Old fashioned in
us through the daily specials. Finding it difficult to select just one a sense but quite lovely. Invited, Andy joined us for a drink as we
dish, we decided to treat it as one long tasting plate - a progressive sampled our finale, a Chocolate (oh dear Lord) Delice! He regaled
lunch. We all ordered something different, feeling safe in the us with tales of parties from the Skase era and funny anecdotes of his
knowledge we had all the yumminess covered. Think fresh salmon time spent on the road. We knew he would deliver on the stories,
sashimi, beef carpaccio, pork tenderloins, beef cheek bourguignon, and we could not have asked for a more fitting end to our long Zinc
a special house salad and of course the Moreton Bay bugs special. jazz lunch.
Everything sounded delicious, had an Australian contemporary feel, A closing thought. One of the many privileges of living in Port
with an interesting point of difference in the flavour, ingredient or a Douglas is the enviable line up of fantastic restaurants that will
combination that piqued your fancy and pre-empted your taste buds. delight the palate of the best of the gourmet travellers.
At this point I feel I should cut to the chase as the entertainment And this one? It is a classic and we will be back!
was getting interesting. The food and the recommended wines we
enjoyed over the day were exemplary. Pristinely prepared, using an
zincportdouglas.com

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 57