Seafood restuarants

[Mr_Gadget]

Hi guys, what are some of the better seafood resturants in the city (Melbourne). I have been to Melbourne Oyster Bar and to be honest wasn't that impressed. How about Waterfront at Crown? I don't mind spending a bit for this occassion as long as food and service matches the price.

Thanks.

[Mr_Gimlet]

Hi guys, what are some of the better seafood resturants in the city (Melbourne). I have been to Melbourne Oyster Bar and to be honest wasn't that impressed. How about Waterfront at Crown? I don't mind spending a bit for this occassion as long as food and service matches the price.

Thanks.[/b]

I'd say that Esposito at Toofeys, in Carlton, or Rockpool at Crown, stand out head and shoulders above the rest.

[Keith_W]

Would agree with Rockpool at Crown ... been there a couple of times now.

BTW when you go to Rockpool ... make sure you try the aged beef as well. They age the beef like wine. We had the 36 month ribeye. It is to die for.

[Grumpy]

Does Joz's place sell seafood? I hear it's a nice place

[norpus]

Does Joz's place sell seafood? I hear it's a nice place[/b]
Yep, worth a trip

Rockpool has a bit of a following and was voted 33rd best restaurant in the world according to reports, so worth at least a one time visit IMO

[Mr_Gimlet]

Rockpool has a bit of a following and was voted 33rd best restaurant in the world according to reports, so worth at least a one time visit IMO[/b]

Wasn't that the posh Sydney one?

[mr-happy-pants]

NOT "Stokehouse" in St Kilda

One of life's dissapointments IMO

G

[Mike.L]

Wasn't that the posh Sydney one?[/b]

yes owned by neil perry who also owns 'wokpool' sydney and 'rockpool' melbourne

[mondie]

They age the beef like wine. We had the 36 month ribeye. It is to die for.[/b]

Hi Keith,

How exactly do they go about that without giving you the trots for a decade? :unsure:


NOT "Stokehouse" in St Kilda

One of life's dissapointments IMO

G[/b]

Not wrong their Mr Pants, they are definitely living off past glory's these days

Cheers Mondie

[JA]

Hello Guys- No names no courtsmartials....


All organisations love positive feedback, some progressive ones like feedback of any form, some will not tolerate negative feedback and a tussle starts:

http://www.stereo.net.au/forum/index.php?s...ic=4236&hl= (http://www.stereo.net.au/forum/index.php?showtopic=4236&hl=)

Let the shipwrecks of others be your seamaster:

I dont like to have to ask, but I would respectfully suggest you edit your posts.

Best
JA

[yardley]

better come over here to wa and visit aristos here in bunbury who has a seafood restaurant . then you go upstairs to barbados and have a beer or few.
my sister came over from melbourne and i took her there and she says melbourne has nothing like this.
kevin sheedy the ex essondon coach always come here for a feed...

[Mr_Gimlet]

yes owned by neil perry who also owns 'wokpool' sydney and 'rockpool' melbourne[/b]

Do you get to Sydney much :unsure: Wokpool closed six years ago, and Rockpool proper closed a couple of months ago to be reopened as Rockpool Fish. Interestingly, the Melbourne one has been so successful (with critics as well as punters) that they are opening one in Sydney! Chalk another food win up for the Mexicans (although the first Australian Hooters is going to Sydney :( )!

Mondie, they hang the beef in a dry cool room for a couple of weeks. The wetness is what gives you unpleasant side effects ranging from trots to death - lots of places wet age in cryovac but it's not a patch on dry ageing.

[scuzzii]

It's not in the city but my wife and I regularly visited "The Lobster Cave" when we lived there (in melb) a few years ago.

I've not found a place to better their Lobster based seafood platter. (Back then it was approx $250).

We were actually talking about them the other night.... Still makes an impression.

Anyway, probably won't help you as it is about 40mins out of the city at Beaumauris (spelling).

John

[Mike.L]

Quote Mr gimlet
Do you get to Sydney much :unsure: Wokpool closed six years ago, and Rockpool proper closed a couple of months ago to be reopened as Rockpool Fish. Interestingly, the Melbourne one has been so successful (with critics as well as punters) that they are opening one in Sydney! Chalk another food win up for the Mexicans (although the first Australian Hooters is going to Sydney :( )




grew up there and left about 6 years ago...havn't kept up with whats going on though... obviously


and Hooters is already on the Gold Coast, one of our finer dining establishments... they even advertise it as a fun night out for the family :wacko:

[Mr_Gimlet]

It's not in the city but my wife and I regularly visited "The Lobster Cave" when we lived there (in melb) a few years ago.

I've not found a place to better their Lobster based seafood platter. (Back then it was approx $250).

We were actually talking about them the other night.... Still makes an impression.

Anyway, probably won't help you as it is about 40mins out of the city at Beaumauris (spelling).

John[/b]

John, it must have gone seriously downhill since you were last there. Only time I've ever seen a restaurant review in The Age score below ten (it was rated 9/20) - and the review became somewhat famous. Personally, a $30 starter is enought o put me off.


There was, of course, The Lobster Cave, a review of a restaurant that apparently has a cosy sponsorship connection with 3AW (I loved the email from an AW producer who had visited the restaurant as a result of this connection and hadn't been back since, for reasons known best to him/her). In fact, pouring scorn on this Beaumaris institution created more gigabytes of email traffic than just about any restaurant review I can remember.

Apart from the restaurant falling down on the night in just about every key area, it was the food that really stuck in my craw, so to speak.

Moreton Bay bug with chilli that was hotter and harsher with chilli powder than a Sahara summer; salty, oily and served with undercooked rice and - inexplicably - scallop shells. Now that's what I call bad food.

And lobster cooked with green (spring) and Spanish onion, garlic and so much butter as to have pooled up in liquid form at the end of the carapace. And Greek salad with bad olives, lacklustre fetta, soft cucumber, curly parsley, Spanish onion and the unpleasant flavour of excessive dried oregano. Yes, it's all coming back.[/b]

The full review is here. (http://www.theage.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/lobster-cave/2005/10/17/1129401192114.html)

[Mr_Gimlet]

and Hooters is already on the Gold Coast, one of our finer dining establishments... they even advertise it as a fun night out for the family :wacko:[/b]

Excellent! It was parodied in a South Park episode, where it was staffed by young girls and was called "Raisins"

[scuzzii]

John, it must have gone seriously downhill since you were last there. Only time I've ever seen a restaurant review in The Age score below ten (it was rated 9/20) - and the review became somewhat famous. Personally, a $30 starter is enought o put me off.



The full review is here. (http://www.theage.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/lobster-cave/2005/10/17/1129401192114.html)[/b]


wow, that is a surprise.

[Mr_Gimlet]

wow, that is a surprise. Well sorry about recommending it. It is disappointing to see it may have gone downhill.[/b]

Yeah, always a problem with restaurants - can be fantastic and then, six months later, completely different. We had a great pizza place, changed owners, went downhill big time.

[diesel459]

I'd say that Esposito at Toofeys, in Carlton, or Rockpool at Crown, stand out head and shoulders above the rest.[/b]


Spot on Mr Grimlet,

However i have a third and that is the Richmond Club in Elizabeth St Richmond.It shares the same building as a pokie venue but with a different entrance.Run completely seperate.The host did his apprenticeship under the well known John Rubira, a famous fishmongering name for decades.They will fly for example W.A dewfish in, S.A oysters wild barra from the N.T and a wine list at pub prices.Staff are cheerful and knowledgable.

[Jake]

The full review is here. (http://www.theage.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/lobster-cave/2005/10/17/1129401192114.html)[/b]

That was a great review, I enjoyed it! :biggrin:

[Moondog]

Hello Guys- No names no courtsmartials....
All organisations love positive feedback, some progressive ones like feedback of any form, some will not tolerate negative feedback and a tussle starts:

http://www.stereo.net.au/forum/index.php?s...ic=4236&hl= (http://www.stereo.net.au/forum/index.php?showtopic=4236&hl=)

Let the shipwrecks of others be your seamaster:

I dont like to have to ask, but I would respectfully suggest you edit your posts.

Best
JA[/b]

BUMP

[joz]

Does Joz's place sell seafood? I hear it's a nice place[/b]


Sorry Grumps, we're hardly a seafood restaurant.though we do have do some seafood.

I can't even recommend one because I/we(wife) hardly ever eat seafood exclusively.

[Mr_Gadget]

Well I've booked at the Rockpool for Sat night, hope it's a good as you guys say. Some of the prices are scary but it is for our 4th wedding anniversary.

[scuzzii]

Hope you have a great night mate. (and earn some brownie points....)

[Mr_Gimlet]

Well I've booked at the Rockpool for Sat night, hope it's a good as you guys say. Some of the prices are scary but it is for our 4th wedding anniversary.[/b]

You won't regret it. Even their bar menu is fantastic, if you want to try something different then the spag bol is fabulous (seriously!).

[Mr_Gadget]

Well last night the Mrs and I went to Rockpool. We had a great time, everything was great. The service, the food, and the surroundings. I got grilled octopus for entree and for mains I got the 36month rib-eye on the bone (awesome beef) Also got mushrooms and side salad.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[Keith_W]

Glad you enjoyed it :) The grilled Occy is superb, and i've had the same steak that you ordered. The steak there tastes very different to other places doesn't it?

I didn't think the service was all that good though ... at those prices I shouldn't be having to ask for my wine glass to be refilled and I would expect the sommelier to know a bit more about the wines in the cellar. Very minor complaints but the food more than makes up for it.

[Grumpy]

I want me one of them there steaks!! with the mushrooms sounds splendid!!!!

[Keith_W]

Well we went to Rockpool again tonight. Here is a mini review :)

Entree: Grilled white asparagus with mushrooms and escargots
Simply amazing. The escargots and mushrooms were grilled to perfection such that the edges of the escargots were just so slightly caramelized, which contributed to an incredible depth of flavour. This was balanced by the sauce which had a hint of acidity to lighten up the dish. The asparagus spears were probably cooked a little beyond al dente for my liking but there was nothing wrong with the dish otherwise.

Entree: Steak tartare on lettuce with chips
Before I ordered this I wanted to be sure that it would be light. Previous dining experiences at Rockpool has taught me that the entrees are substantial enough to be called mini mains in their own right. After getting an assurance from the waiter I ordered it. I was surprised when they plopped down a very generous serve of tartare! The waiter said that she was surprised when she saw how large it was.

So once again I tried to analyze the tartare to see what was in it (so I can replicate it at home). Egg yolk, finely chopped beef, chives, a touch of dill, red onions, and some peppercorns. But obviously there was more - I could taste but could not see. The tartare was slightly less delicate than tartares I have had elsewhere, but when eaten with the lettuce and radicchio the flavour became much more balanced.

Main: 36 month old ribeye, aged 45 days, chargrilled to medium rare (750gm - shared for two)
An old mainstay of ours. These guys are so good at making steak that every time we have visited, it is done exactly the same way - outside charred with a delicious smoky aroma, about 2mm of steak which is well done, and the rest a delicious pink-red with all the juices still in the meat. They are so certain that the focus should be the steak that they serve it simply - white plate, steak in the middle. They have resisted the temptation to overload the dish with garnish. There is nothing else on the plate.

How the steak is done is a mystery to me - if I attempted to cook it that pink at home, the steak would still be tough and stringy. Not here, it is melt-in-the-mouth. Cut the steak, and the juices don't come out. The juices are only released when you bite into it. I know to rest my steak but it still does not come out like this.

Side: Zucchini with garlic, mint, and burnt butter
The zucchini was cooked to perfection with only the slightest hint of mint on the nose. It was very nice, but even the best chefs cannot make me love zucchini and I wish I had ordered the mushrooms, or the carrots, or the potato-cabbage gratin which I have previously had (and were very nice).

Dessert: Raspberry Bombe
The first of our killer desserts. You really go to Rockpool to try their innovative appetizers and desserts, and this dessert was out of this world. A core of raspberry ice cream with a hint of bitterness (citrus zest, maybe?), with a lemon meringue and egg white coating, flambeed with Cointreau. This had many flavours which really should not go together, but was somehow assembled with such skill that everything was perfectly balanced. You can imagine that if they added a touch too much bitterness, or a touch too much lemon, the dish would be ruined. After I finished the dessert I marvelled at how they managed to achieve this balance. Truly impressive - the highlight of the night.

Dessert: Cherry Trifle
Served in a glass with brandied cherries at the bottom, a jelly and biscuit (?) layer, with a brandied cream on top. Ground pralines (I think?) were added for some contrast in texture. Once again, a masterpiece. The flavours were not as contrary or as unexpected as the Raspberry Bombe, so this dessert is not as daring or exciting on the palate. Once again, this was culinary perfection.

The wine was a 2005 Chateau Simon Bize Burgundy - a real Burgundy which means Pinot Noir. Smooth and elegant but without much nose or length. Cheap for a Burgundy Pinot served in a top class restaurant at $95.

[mickj1]

Well we went to Rockpool again tonight. Here is a mini review :)[/b]

Hi
An excellent review Keith - We tried the old Sydney Rockpool and had a similar experience :) but I thought this thread was about seafood restaurants :unsure: - I guess the escargot must a bin marine then :unsure: ....

Cheers
Mick

[Keith_W]

An excellent review Keith - We tried the old Sydney Rockpool and had a similar experience :) but I thought this thread was about seafood restaurants :unsure: - I guess the escargot must a bin marine then :unsure: ....[/b]

Well yes but it changed into a Rockpool thread :)

The table next to us had the $160 lobster - a massive crustacean was served on his plate and judging by the oohs and mmm's it must have been pretty tasty.

[Mr_Gimlet]

How much was it without the wine? Whenever I go, I go to the bar and have the wagyu burger or the spag bol.

[Keith_W]

How much was it without the wine? Whenever I go, I go to the bar and have the wagyu burger or the spag bol.[/b]

It would have been $170 for the food alone. Beverages were another $110, and then there was the 10% surcharge for visiting on a Sunday.

[Young Skywalker]

Hi Keith,

Sounds like a wonderful culinary experience and you are braver than I am for trying escargot and steak tartare!

Was this some kind of special occasion or do most women expect to be taken out to such expensive restaurants on a regular basis? :p Might explain why I am single (:() and have more money to spend on hi-fi and music (:)).

Aaron

[Keith_W]

Aaron, the woman brought me out for dinner because it was my birthday last week. We didn't go anywhere special so it was her treat :)

BTW, you actually have more money when you are settled down with a woman ... it's only when you are dating that it is expensive! With a dual income and living together, money goes further. I mean, you pay the same cost to keep your fridge running - with two people in the house the cost is halved.

[Mr_Gimlet]

It would have been $170 for the food alone. Beverages were another $110, and then there was the 10% surcharge for visiting on a Sunday.[/b]

Oh, less than I thought/ expected. Only problem with your approach for me is that MrsG and I have opposing tastes in meat - I'm a very rare kind of guy and she is medium - so a shared steak isn't a goer :(

[Keith_W]

Actually I asked the waiter if it was possible to cook one half of the steak medium and the other rare. Just to see the look on her face :) She unhesitatingly said that can be done, because it was a large cut of steak! It's actually a bit cheaper to get the ribeye for two - $90 for 750gm. A 350gm ribeye is $49.

[bronal]

Keith: are you an Aquarian?

A.

[Keith_W]

Keith: are you an Aquarian?[/b]

Yes - why do you ask?

[bronal]

Just answers a few questions, that's all.

I'm one as well.

Wouldn't be surprised to find a whole lot of us here.

Ever seen the profile of a typical Aquarian?

[Keith_W]

Ever seen the profile of a typical Aquarian?[/b]

Err, no ... what does it say?

[bronal]

Intractable and contrary
Perverse and unpredictable
Unemotional and detached</span></div>
</span></span>

[Keith_W]

Sounds like i've got all the negatives of being an aquarian without any of the positives :blush:

[Tony M]

Just to present another perspective on this, I checked the only reference to star signs I bother to consult: It's called "What the stars really say"......not sure where it comes from as I copied it decades ago. At the time, Mrs M was a bit put out to hear "Pisceans do terrible things to small animals"

Anyway, this is the entry for Aquarius:

"AQUARIUS (January 21-February 19) You have an inventive mind and are ingenious and possessive. You lie a great deal. On the other hand you are inclined to be reckless and impractical, therefore you make the same mistakes over and over again. People think you are stupid."

:biggrin:

Cheers
Tony

[bronal]

I wouldn't say that....

Your posts indicate to me that you are the Compleat Aquarian par example!

[Moondog]

Sounds like i've got all the negatives of being an aquarian without any of the positives :blush:[/b]
Some reflection should be given to the Chinese signs as well , when both signs are taken into consideration together
the writing on the wall becomes little bit clearer

[Moondog]

Some reflection should be given to the Chinese signs as well , when both signs are taken into consideration together
the writing on the wall becomes little bit clearer[/b]

Hmm not sure why this reply is in a seafood restaurant topic , Though Ive got in the fridge 1xkg of king island rib eye an 1xKg of king island porterhouse that I brought home on the 12th of jan an am waiting for a couple more weeks to pass
before some of it hits the BBQ.

[Nude]

Just to present another perspective on this, I checked the only reference to star signs I bother to consult: It's called "What the stars really say"......not sure where it comes from as I copied it decades ago. At the time, Mrs M was a bit put out to hear "Pisceans do terrible things to small animals"

Anyway, this is the entry for Aquarius:

"AQUARIUS (January 21-February 19) You have an inventive mind and are ingenious and possessive. You lie a great deal. On the other hand you are inclined to be reckless and impractical, therefore you make the same mistakes over and over again. People think you are stupid."

:biggrin:

Cheers
Tony[/b]
Geez guys
I practically live on seafood (expense accounts are capitalism's greatest invention for those lucky enough)

My question is; as a cusp Leo/Virgo, is this permissable?
Or should I just suck it up and eat ribeye? :wink:

[Moondog]

Geez guys
I practically live on seafood (expense accounts are capitalism's greatest invention for those lucky enough)

My question is; as a cusp Leo/Virgo, is this permissable?
Or should I just suck it up and eat ribeye? :wink:[/b]

Umm suck it up , and keep some room for some rib eye as well . Seafood is very tasty as entries
An also goes well as a sauce for steaks

[diesel459]

Aaron, the woman brought me out for dinner because it was my birthday last week. We didn't go anywhere special so it was her treat :)

BTW, you actually have more money when you are settled down with a woman ... it's only when you are dating that it is expensive! With a dual income and living together, money goes further. I mean, you pay the same cost to keep your fridge running - with two people in the house the cost is halved.[/b]


Dual income? I can only wish!