Early Autumn lobster lunch

The onset of perfect Autumn weather (the best season for seafood at the South Coast) and two birthdays to celebrate, means it's time for our yearly lobster lunch celebration at Rosedale (thanks to the hospitality of Judy and Jurgen).

This year Judy and Chef Jane had decided on a "tropical" theme so with great expectations we all got into the party mood with our favourite starter-the Majella Sparkling Shiraz.

Wayne and Jenny could only stay for the afternoon - the grapes are ripening fast at Murrumbateman and they had to get back to do "bird patrol". Flocks of starlings can wreak a lot of havoc during vintage. They don't need this as crops are already under threat this year from the dreaded damp, cool weather fungi.

Wayne makes a start on canapes: pork and black mushroom wontons with home made sweet soy sauce and fried sticky sesame rice balls stuffed with pineapple chilli jam.

The rainbow lorikeets and James and Fiona's dress up efforts helped us get into a "tropical" frame of mind.

It's amazing what Chef Jane and partner Louise (Slick catering) are able to produce out of the Rosedale kitchen.

It wasn't just us oldies this year. The "children" are fast growing into gorgeous young people. (Maggie, the Jack Russel fits in anywhere there is an available lap.) The young people's menu, by special request, included Panko crumbed calamari and chicken with shoestring chips with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce and noodle salad.

Our entree comprised a trio of Clyde River oysters - natural, pickled ginger and wakame and tomato and lemon grass granita. Luscious!

Washed down with a Catalina Sound Sauvignon Blanc (from NZ) - nice and grassy and citrusy, not too sweet.

But the highlight is always the fresh lobster, just superlative this year, served with toasted coconut sambal, fresh lime salt and chilli. The banana leaf plating reminded me so much of our dining experiences in Bali - tropical indeed!

...and served with green papaya salad, sweet potato salad with ginger and tamarind dressing and peach and roasted macadamia nut salad. We are in foodie heaven!!

The two birthdays are a perfect excuse to bring out Chef Jane's famous Bombes (Alaska) adorned with sparklers and lots of theatrics. The young people enjoy choc mint Bombe Alaska.

and the grown ups get a 3 layered Bombe: comprising coconut sorbet, Pina Colada ice cream and pineapple sorbet served with roasted pineapple slices with palm sugar glaze.

and that luscious swirly feather light meringue that is Chef Jane's speciality.

A late afternoon walk to beautiful Rosedale Beach, and a swim for the young things in the soft afternoon light was a perfect ending to this most perfect dining experience we are so lucky to share with our friends. Thank you to both Judy & Jurgen and a very Happy Birthday to Judy and Sophie in 2011!