JAYNE MILLER
Today called for a long overdue lunch to try Inn Front, Mossman. Located on the premises of the former Mojo’s at the Demi View Motel, Inn Front opened in late August with some fresh, and some familiar faces.
The lunch menu features small bites suited to sharing, main dishes and blackboard food and drink specials. Today’s freshly caught seafood and roast duck specials were tempting, but we were keen to try chef’s interpretation of the classic salt and pepper squid, a pork belly entree and the vegetarian soba noodle salad.
Inn Front serve their salt and pepper squid in a light batter with peanuts, sesame seeds, chilli nam jim and house made aioli for $14. The dish was light and delicious, with a tasty aioli that did not disappoint.
Tender pork belly is slow-cooked twice, and served on a bed of Dutch inspired ‘appelstroop’ with baked apples, roast kipfler and pork crackling for $14. For those of us not so familiar with traditional Dutch cuisine ‘appelstroop’ is a house-made apple syrup (that happens to be incredibly more-ish). Dutch flavours inspire quite a few of the dishes on the menu, offering a surprising twist on some of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The pork belly was polished off in no time. Overall, a pleasant dish.
I tried the chilled soba noodle salad with shaved mushrooms, spring onion, chillies and sesame seeds, dressed with a mirin-soy sauce for $17, and topped with local prawns which was happily served as an addition to the vegetarian dish. The dish was bright and healthy, a medley of complimentary Asian-inspired ingredients and fragrant herbs served with generosity.
Lunch was merrily washed down with the inimitable Clare Valley Mr Mick RosΓ©, from winemakers Tim Adams and Brett Schutz. Mr Mick is a reliably vibrant but clean finishing wine, ideal for any Thursday lunch, and fabulous to see on the menu.
As we were loving every moment of the occasion, we couldn’t possibly resist wanting more, so shared the flame grilled banana with Mount Uncle rum sauce, crunchy macadamia nuts and vanilla ice cream for $14.50. This was a flawless balance of crisp toffee, crunchy nuts, silky ice cream and flamed banana.
Inn Front’s unassuming frontage gives no hint as to the gastronomic delights that lie within, and as a consequence, our delightful lunch was an unexpected surprise. Service was discrete and gentle, and all dishes were served promptly. The menu has a fabulous range of options, including clearly signed dairy free, vegetarian and gluten free preferences.
The wine list is unpretentious, and reasonably priced with excellent choices. It includes a good range of wines by the glass, organic wines, sourced from Australia, New Zealand and Europe and South America. Beer, cider, cocktails and mocktails are also offered.
Hoaf and Mark Burnett are long term locals who own and operate Inn Front. They describe their menu aptly as defined by global cuisine, using fresh and diverse local produce from throughout the Douglas Shire, the Tablelands, and the Coral Sea.
We’re keen to head back for dinner soon, to try the Kefalograviera Greek frying cheese with Cooya Beach honey and Wondaree macadamia nuts (GF $14) and the Bushy Creek Farm beef cheeks braised in Pedro Ximenez and red wine, both of which feature locally sourced key ingredients.
Devoted locals will like to know that the beloved “The Mojo” chocolate fondue stars on the dessert menu, a decadent lashing of chocolate, strawberries, banana, lychees, marshmallows, and Turkish Delight.
Inn Front is located at 41 Front Street Mossman, QLD.
Call (07) 4098 4141
Lunch and Dinner is served Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, and 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Licensed
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Great option for Mossman, ideal for a weekday lunch, a group of friends for tapas or to take the kids for fondue and a couple of espresso martinis! The element that lets Inn Front down is the atmosphere of the venue- it might be more convivial by night, but the setting is stark and uninviting by day. Don’t let that put you off though, as the quality of the dishes, wines and service is fantastic. We’ll be back for sure!
