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Trevor Pepys revisits Barefoot Bar and Grill.
Following a first visit early this year, Trev had actually snuck back a couple of times for a working lunch on the river, and liked Barefoot a lot for its unpretentious fit-out, dependable tucker and easy-going atmosphere.
But when a mate grabbed him by the shoulders in a bar queue recently and said, “Barefoot’s new menu is sensational!”, Trev decided he’d better drag the missus down the road on a recent Friday to give it a taste test, getting slightly drenched by a heavy shower on the way, but saved from complete embarrassment by the trusty wide-coverage Bunnings brollie.
Not that there was anything wrong with the previous no-nonsense menu, but Barefoot bar and Grill has spread its wings, as it were, while remaining grounded in simple fare done well, with a view and a smile. The new menu is more expansive than the last, but its accent is on light dishes to share, and this is very much to Trev’s liking. We sipped on an Aquilani Pinot Grigio 2020 ($42), a light-bodied, slightly fruity wine from the Tuscan hills, just about perfect for pairing with light share plates, and made our selection while nibbling on a delicious platter of melted parmesan on sourdough with bush basil pesto ($9).
We opted for the beef tataki ($22) and the fish tacos ($22), leaving room for a taste of dessert.
The tataki consisted of lightly seared eye fillet cut into thin slices and served on a seaweed salad sauced with a fragrant ponzu sauce. The ponzu might have been a little sour for some tastes, but not a bad start. The fish tacos (two) consisted of a healthy-sized battered flathead fillet served with slaw in a soft tortilla, accompanied with taro chips, tomato and onion salsa and guacamole. Trev has noted before that there are quite a few kitchens around town doing a decent fish taco, but this dish was right up there for taste and presentation.
With another glass left in the Aquilani, the missus twisted Trev’s arm for a shared Whisky Crème Caramel ($14), which turned out to be the icing on the cake for a pretty damn good light dinner.
The verdict: Barefoot Bar and Grill has flown a bit under the radar on a strip that includes heavy-hitters like Gusto and Little Humid, but all that might be about to change. Right now, however, this pleasant terrace offers an interesting and balanced menu at sensible prices. And they support local live music with afternoon sessions most weekends. Trev gives BB & G a big tick.
Barefoot Bar and Grill, 269 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. Phone 21023355.