Healthy oceans with an abundance of fish are in everyone’s best interest – making sustainable seafood one of the hottest global trends of the moment.
This country’s restaurant and catering industries have a huge influence on the seafood supply chain and by serving sustainably sourced produce, they can make a massive difference to how it is produced.
Attica’s Ben Shewry, who is a GoodFish Project Ambassador, says Chefs have a moral responsibility to understand what ingredients they cook with and no more so than when it comes from the ocean.
Here are six venues where you can be confident your seafood has been sourced sustainably:
Experience Japanese Culinary Art
Contemporary Japanese izakaya dining using traditional methods is what is on the menu at Mr Kojima on Thomas Drive in Surfers Paradise. This casual Gold Coast restaurant is best enjoyed with friends and family lingering over several courses in surrounds of recycled timber, potted greenery and vibrant artwork while perusing a menu designed for slow dining.
Experience the art of Japanese cuisine over house specialties such as kingfish carpaccio and yuzu soy, or tuna tataki, with balsamic teri and sesame; before larger plates of barramundi with ponzu chives and seasoned oil.
World-renowned Crab Dishes
Head where food and friends have met for more than 50 years to find flavours crafted into edible art at Harry’s Singapore Chilli Crab restaurant on Rockwall Crescent in Potts Point. This iconic Sydney dining destination is the ideal spot to celebrate memories and milestones in relaxed surrounds of exposed brick, neon signage and vibrant artwork, while perusing a menu showcasing Harry’s cherished secret sauce recipe for mud crab that has become legendary.
Dive right in with an appetiser of salt and pepper calamari, or crab meat and sweetcorn soup; before getting down and dirty with Harry’s black pepper crab, with sides of fried rice and mixed vegetables in garlic sauce.
High Country Hospitality
Photo credit: Kerrie Damen.
Known for its history, high country hospitality and mouth-watering meals, head to Corryong Courthouse Hotel on Hanson Street to recharge after a day spent discovering all the region has to offer. This is a truly family-friendly watering hole offering accommodation, a bar, bistro, function rooms, a beer garden with a stage and a kids’ play area to keep them entertained while you chill out with an ice-cold brew and graze on pub classic plates.
Begin by devouring lemon pepper squid with chips, salad and aioli, moving on to mains such as Asian-glazed baked barramundi served with coconut rice and smashed cucumber salad, or beer-battered fish fillets, chunky tartar sauce and crispy chips.
Next-level Fish & Chips
From the sea to the mountain, find next-level fish and chips at Mountain Fish on Ross Street in Glenbrook. This Blue Mountains dining destination is the brainchild of young Chef Nelson Dukes who aims to rock the boat by only using fresh produce on the fully housemade menu.
From a complete gluten-free menu, discover delicious dishes such as pan-fried wild-caught barramundi, hand-cut chips, green salad, tartar and lemon; or perhaps share a fisherman’s basket with salmon, battered fish, calamari, slaw, tartar and lemon.
Casually Elegant Dining Room
There’s something fishy going on at RST Seafood Restaurant on Rae Street in North Fitzroy and it has diners hooked, line and sinker. With a casually elegant dining room, crisp white tablecloths and sparkling chandeliers, this venue is casual enough for families and proper enough for all-comers.
Diners can choose from an evolving menu with starters like grilled jumbo prawns with a spicy kick of chilli; then cast your net over a main of Moreton Bay bugs, with lemon butter, fries and a garden salad.
Wine & Dine on the Jerry
A stone’s throw from the shoreline of Brighton Beach and jetty, marvel at the sunset or let the kids run off for a dip in the ocean as you wine and dine at The Alchemists’ Kitchen on Jetty Road in Adelaide. Embracing the limitless opportunity and alchemy of a wood oven, settle in with a glass of red and chill out in minimalist surrounds of black and white table settings and a stacked stone fireplace, ideal for cosying up in chilly months.
From early until late, there is something to tempt all palates – start your seafood feast with chorizo and octopus skewers with Romesco, Lebanese salad and toasted pita, followed by tagliatelle with blue swimmer crab and tomato sugo, enjoyed with a glass of white wine.
