A Place to Propose
By: Lisa Wolff, Yahoo!7 Travel

"We see many men on bent knees here", says Jonah's restaurant manager Ali Pinnington. "We'll go out on the lawn and bring the happy couple champagne".

It's not surprising that this cliff-top boutique guest house on Sydney's Northern Beaches is one of the more popular spots for proposals. Nestled above the celebrity hot-spot of Whale Beach, Jonah's overlooks millionaire-mansions and a wide expanse of ocean. It's a short 50-minute drive from the city, yet is so far removed from the pace. Within minutes of our arrival, the serenity and romance of the scenery takes over.

Celebrations
Jonah's is a place for special occasions. I had a sneaky glance at their restaurant bookings sheet. Each reservation was detailed with guests' special requests. There was a large group celebrating a 30th birthday on the sun-drenched terrace. In the kitchen, the pastry chef was piping a "Happy Anniversary" message in molten chocolate on a dessert plate. A couple posing outside for a photo were on honeymoon.

This is not a business hotel. The front-of-house service is casual, bordering on clumsy. The receptionist got into a tizz when three couples wanted to check in at the same time. But this underlies Jonah's best feature. It's an upmarket getaway with all the luxurious bits but without the airs and graces. It's a seaside escape where you can still enjoy the good things in life while wearing shorts and thongs. That's probably why Jonah's is blessed with many returning guests. The feeling is that they are coming 'home' to relax, albeit in a most exquisite home with a view of paradise.

The restaurant has made Jonah's famous. It's been around since 1929, when visionary Constance Vidal established a roadhouse in the spot. "At a time when restaurants come and go", Jonah's has stood the test of time", says Ali. There are posters on the wall that share this history. The Italian menu journeys back to when the restaurant was all cherubs and pillars with its re-invention as Villa Jonah al Mare. The present day owner realised that the venue didn't need false adornments to give style to this beach retreat. In fact, the simpler the better, seems to be the mantra here.

Many Sydneysiders profess to have a link to Jonah's. I first came here a couple of years ago for a gourmet birthday breakfast. Since then I've returned for other celebrations and even bought gift vouchers so friends could experience the Jonah's magic. While the food has always been excellent, it's the mesmerising panoramic view from the dining room that keeps me coming back. Ali tells me that during June to September, Jonah's is the best place to spot whales and dolphins.

This is the first time I've stayed for dinner. Chef George Francisco, who has been at the kitchen helm for over three years, is innovative with his combinations and while some may sound dubious, they do work. Take the seared foie gras with prune and Armagnac ice-cream and mini buttermilk pancakes. The flavours were sublime, with the velvety firm liver livened up with the delicately fruity accompaniments. Our knowledgeable sommelier suggested that we pair the dish with a glass of French dessert wine. What a match.

A must for wine-lovers
While Francisco favours seafood (Jonah's looks out to the ocean after all), one of his specialities is the gynormous entrecote. This juicy rib-eye steak feeds two and is joined by fries, mustards and veggies. My dessert, a dense chocolate cake robed in florentines was the least exciting of the meal. Next time I may choose to end off with one of their speciality sherry's. The wine list is impressive, boasting over 250 different wines including rare vintages and mega-magnums for a memorable toast.

Feeling slightly tipsy, it was lovely to stay the night upstairs. Ali describes the style as quintessentially Australian. I take this to mean that it has got all the trimmings without being over-the-top. Everything is conducive to relaxation from the spa-with-a-view to the king-size bed and 40-inch flat screen TV. The balcony is the star feature where we enjoyed a light lunch earlier in the day while watching the surfers tackle the waves below. I went to sleep with the sound of the sea. It can't get any better than this.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The rooms: Jonah's has 11 suites - eight of which are in the main guest house. The other three are next door at Jonah's Private, which also has a pool. The council won't give permission to connect the properties so it's a short walk between the two. Rates range from $499 per room per night for bed and breakfast to $750, including dinner. Food: While it's a treat to stay over, a visit to Jonah's makes a special day trip too. Come for lunch to make the most of the scenery. The selection is ala carte, although there is talk of introducing a recession-busting set menu and winter specials. And make sure you let the staff know if you're celebrating an occasion. Activities: Relax, relax and more relaxation. After that, you can take a Jonah's shuttle to Palm Beach or if you have the energy, paddle out along Pittwater. The team can organise in-room massages although there are plans in the pipeline to add on a spa. Romance: Whether you're planning a Valentines Day dinner, a proposal, an anniversary or simply an "I love you" surprise, Jonah's has the "wow" factor. To make doubly sure you get a 'yes', book a seaplane package, which includes a 12-minute flight from Rose Bay and a meal. More info: Check out the Jonah's website for further details and bookings