On Friday we visited Ricky's Noosa River Bar and Restaurant for lunch. We were in Noosa to finalise some wedding business, so it was wonderful to be able to combine our trip with a leisurely lunch.
Ricky's Noosa was the second restaurant I chose to visit as part of Mushroom Mania month, and I am so glad I did. The food was fantastic, and if we lived locally, this would definitely become a favourite haunt. Beautiful water views, friendly staff and great food. What's not to love?
Despite the popularity of vegetarian diets today I've become used to visiting restaurants and only having one menu item to choose from, so it was a novelty when I was presented with a completely separate vegetarian menu with 2 tapas items, 4 entrees and 3 mains to choose from.
To start we chose to share the Wild Mushroom Arancini from the Tapas menu. We were presented with two beautifully golden and crispy balls of risotto served atop a golden saffron aioli. Each arancini was then topped with a smokey piquillo pepper puree. They were so delicious we were tempted to order a second serve.
Wild Mushroom & Smoked Mozzarella Arancini with Saffron Aioli - $12
For my main course I chose the entree of Crispy Polenta with mushrooms, char grilled asparagus and the same piquillo pepper puree served on the Mushroom Arancini. Ordering an entree as my main course may sound virtuous, but in reality it was a tactical move so that I'd have room to try dessert. 😉
Crispy Polenta with mushrooms, char grilled asparagus and piquillo pepper puree - $23
When my entree arrived I was very happy I didn't order a main course because in fact my entree was really quite large and very filling. The polenta was beautifully crispy, and despite being fried, wasn't at all oily. The mushrooms were juicy and 'meaty' and the asparagus had a beautiful smoky flavour from the grill.
As soon as Troy saw duck was on the menu his decision was made as he absolutely adores duck. When the duck arrived the plate consisted of two large duck legs served on top of a sweet carrot puree and braised red cabbage. He enjoyed the duck so much that he declared it the best duck he's ever eaten.
Confit Duck Leg Carrot Puree & Braised Cabbage - $35
When it came to dessert, as soon as I saw a dessert tasting plate was on offer I didn't bother reading any further, and Troy was only too happy to agree to share it. Being able to sample all the desserts on the menu, in miniature, is something I adore, and when the tasting plate arrived I was surprised the miniature desserts I'd pictured were actually quite a bit bigger than I had imagined. There is certainly no skimping on serves at Ricky's.
Dessert Tasting Plate - $37
The dessert tasting plate consisted of deconstructed apple and rhubarb crumble, Bombe Alaska with mascarpone quince and pedro ximinez caramel, passionfruit souffle, and finally the chocolate caramel fondant with caramelised banana and candied ginger ice cream. It's been years since I've had Bombe Alaska, and as soon as I tasted it it made me wonder why. The meringue coating was delicious without being overly sweet and the poached quince was divine.
The deconstructed apple and rhubarb crumble was presented in a fun checkerboard pattern. I don't normally like deconstructed desserts, but this version was delicious because it meant that the fruit was perfectly cooked and the crumble was perfectly crumbly and not at all soggy. The passionfruit souffle was deliciously light and perfectly cooked, and was served with half a passionfruit and passionfruit sorbet on the side. My favourite though was the chocolate caramel fondant with caramelised bananas. Heaven!
Next time you are in Noosa I can thoroughly recommend Ricky's, not just for the delicious food, but the beautiful river views as well.
The view from our table
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- Download the free Mushroom Mania app for your smartphone or check out the locality guide online to find your local participating restaurants.
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Ricky's Noosa River Bar and Restaurant
2 Quamby Place
Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Website: http://www.rickys.com.au/
Phone: (07) 5447 2455
Delicious Everyday dined at the Ricky's River Bar & Restaurant with compliments of the Australian Mushroom Growers Association as part of Mushroom Mania month.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Beautiful restaurant to dine at. I would definitely pick this Arancini... Saffron Aioli must be delicious!!!
Bernadette says
Being from Melbourne, we make sure that every time we are in Noosa that we go to Ricky's at least once! Sometimes two or three times. There is always something new to try, and the food is spectacular. Glad you enjoyed your visit Jennifer!
Jennifer says
I agree Bernadette, the food is spectacular. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Trish says
I'm lucky enough to be a Noosa local and I totally agree with your review. Rickys is divine. I spent Saturday afternoon there with a large group of girls and I can tell you that the cocktail menu is excellent too. 🙂
Jamie Dalton says
Photos look great! Looks like it was a nice day to dine!
thelittleloaf says
Oh wow, that tasting platter of desserts looks incredible! As does the view. If only Noosa wasn't quite so far from the UK... 🙂
Christie @ Fig & Cherry says
Need to check out this place - amazing!! The decor and view are just lovely and the food looks fantastic too. Great to see there was two inventive mushroom dishes on the menu to celebrate Mania month 🙂
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Ricky's is one of my favourites up there. I don't think I've ever had a bad meal. Next time you go you have to try their stuffed olives on the starter menu. They are amazing!
Thanh @ eat, little bird says
Wow, it looks like you both had an exquisite meal at Ricky's! The arancini looks delicious and so does the grilled polenta. I'm not vegetarian but I think I would have been tempted by the vegetarian menu! And what a treat the dessert tasting plate would have been. We have some friends visiting Noosa shortly so I will make sure to pass on this restaurant recommendation to them. Wonderful post!
Jennifer says
I hope your friends enjoy it if they do visit Thanh, although I'm sure they will because the food was fabulous 😀
Rosa says
A beautiful restaurant! The view is breathtaking and the food is amazing.
Cheers,
Rosa
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au says
Lovely photos. I really like Rickys and it has a whole new life now Glen Bowman is there. Funny I made little Baked Alaskas this week and was thinking of the Edge where Glen used to work once upon a time. Wedding is getting exciting now!!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
I have only eaten at Rickys once and I have no excuse. The food was fantastic. Thanks for the reminder because Noosa is only a 30 minute drive from here.
Jennifer says
I know it's a little pricey, but the food really is fantastic. I think it would be dangerous for me if I only lived 30 minutes away 😀
Amanda says
Ooh, those arancini look fantastic - they're a favourite of mine generally.
And anyone who factors in dessert planning when ordering mains is just fine with me!
Jennifer says
I love arancini too Amanda, especially when they are made as well as what we had at Rickys. And I'm glad I'm not alone in factoring in dessert when ordering main course 😀
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a gorgeous restaurant! The arancini looks delicious and the dessert plate, to die for!
Jennifer says
Hi Laura, it was to die for indeed. I'd go back for the dessert plate alone 😀