Ettalong (Sept 27)

Ettalong, much like every other place on the Central Coast, may get multiple posts seeing there's plenty of places to dine at. In my honest opinion, of all the places on the peninsula, it has changed the most. When I first moved here it was a dingy, old-fashioned coastal hamlet whose main centres of business were the pub in the main street, the two-screen Cinema Paradiso and the Centrelink office. There was an unused giant waterslide, a rather dull-looking serviceman's club (and it wasn't much better on the inside) and a lot of run-down waterfront houses.

All that has changed in twenty years. Rather than passing through (or by-passing it completely) the suburb is picking up plenty of tourist trade. The cinema has become a multiplex, Centrelink and the waterslide have been bulldozed and are now upscale apartment blocks, the pub has had generous makeover, and the club is now the star attraction, turned into a massive ziggurat which locals view as their own Taj Mahal. Where it once used to detract visitors from spending time there, it now welcomes them with open arms. The cinema is now part of a vibrant market complex complete with restaurants, cafes and all manner of stalls. The old waterfront houses are being demolished one-by-one to make way for more upmarket townhouses and villas for those wanting to escape the city. Even the iconic netball courts off Bangalow Street have been spruced up as well as has the actual waterfront. A walk down there is a lot more pleasant, but it's rather more congested with foot traffic. The birds like it though seeing there's more discarded food to eat, though Gosford City Council does order you to not feed the ducks.
Ettalong Diggers, the aforementioned star attraction, is part hotel, part tourist information centre but mostly entertainment venue. Whilst sitting in the spacious I watched a replay of a 1990 NRL play-off match and saw advertisements for upcoming Motown (direct from the USA), Boney M and 70's tribute shows. Meals, once ordered, are brought to your table and there is hardly a wait at the bar if you're feeling thirsty.
I couldn't resist having a chicken parmigiana today and I'm pleased to say that I won the battle, albeit taking my time to demolish the generous fare provided. The salad, rather than arranged on the side of your plate is served in a small bowl, allowing you to pick through it or ignore it at your leisure. (I must say I prefer it that way.) You are given the option for ham and/or pineapple to accompany your schnitzel, though I stuck with the ham which was buried under a melted layer of cheese on top. The crust was crunchy, much like the small serving of chips to go with it, and just a little burnt, though that was restricted to the first bite that I had. It wasn't bulbous and thick like the offering at the leagues club on Sept 20, with the chicken being tender and rather tasty.
I must say I have experienced five rather delicious schnitzels so far this year, with four of them being on the Central Coast. Admittedly, it wasn't the first time that I had eaten at these places, but I'm pleased to say that the quality hasn't changed over time or across venues. It's going to be quite hard for this particular diner to find a schnitzel to top the others.

Links correct at time of posting.

Photograph taken by Geoff G Turner (c) 2023.