Due to a power outage disrupting our plans to dine at Turtle Beach Lodge, we found ourselves at Black Pearl Restaurant & Bar for lunch. The venue, with its impressive thatched lobby, restaurant, lounge, and bar, made for an intriguing visit. For AUD 10, you can snorkel here, and judging by the slightly choppy water, it seemed like there would be more coral to explore compared to Barrier Beach Resort nearby. It's worth mentioning that construction is ongoing, as power tools were in use while we ate.
The chalkboard menu offered a refreshing change with fish options beyond the usual poulet. The dogtooth tuna sashimi (1200VT) was sliced so thinly it resembled fish charcuterie, pairing well with the small amounts of wasabi and the teacup of soy sauce. We also ordered a garlic cheese pizza (1600VT) to satisfy our dairy cravings after nearly three weeks on the island. The tuna steak (3500VT) looked appealing with its vibrant red fresh tomato salsa with lime, wilted bok choy, and rice, but unfortunately, it was cooked through despite our clear request for rare. Despite this misstep, Black Pearl is worth considering for lunch if you're exploring the east coast attractions from Champagne Beach to the various blue holes.