From the waters surrounding Australia comes a diverse bounty of unique taste sensations, which have seafood lovers salivating at the thought of lobster, prawns and oysters.
Whether you reel in a fresh fish yourself to cook on the barbeque, or are lured in by offerings plated up every night at a local eatery – there’s no denying Aussies love their seafood.
Did you know that most brands of lipstick contain fish scales? Here are five more fun facts to hook the conversation at your next seafood dinner:
•The oldest known age for a fish was 65 – and funnily it was an Australian lungfish.
•Sharks are the only fish that have eyelids.
•Most fish can’t swim backwards…those that can are members of one of the eel families.
•Electric eels and rays have enough electricity to kill a horse.
•Starfish are not fish, neither are jellyfish.
Take the ocean drive from water to your plate and drop a line at one of these five restaurants:
Opening its doors in 1961, Blue Angel on Palmer Street has long been serving East Sydney diners a vast selection of seafood and Italian cuisine in a Mediterranean setting. The selected restaurant for many famous international guests; choose your own rock lobster from the large saltwater tank and let the Chefs whip you up a fresh seafood signature dish.
Delve into the likes of braised octopus from the pristine waters of Tasmania, or indulge your palate with sturgeon caviar, served with classic accompaniments and toasted bread.
Water views, a select wine list and dishes cooked by a Michelin-star awarded Chef are what await Gold Coast locals at Jonez on Ephraim restaurant in Paradise Point. Newly relocated to Ephraim Island, this elegant venue has a full glass frontage to let in an abundance of natural light, creating a relaxed ambience to enjoy contemporary cuisine, prepared by critically acclaimed Chef Gary Jones.
Cast your net over starters such as duck ma hor, pan-roasted scallops and mandarins; before netting a memorable main like local spanner crab linguine, with herbs, garlic, chilli and lemon.
Expect a ‘heart-beating’ experience when dining at Asian fusion restaurant Doki Doki on Victoria Avenue in Chatswood. Named after the Japanese words for the sound of the heartbeat, linger alfresco on balmy Sydney days amid flowering planter boxes; or indoors where trailing and potted greenery add an oasis of calm, ideal for memorable meals with family and friends.
Expect to reel in premium made-to-order sushi, locally-sourced sashimi and à la carte dishes as you watch the Chefs work in the open kitchen; perhaps satisfying cravings with tempura lobster, stir-fried Udon noodles, mushrooms, lobster bisque and sourdough.
Discover the flavours of Peru at Warike Restaurant on Devonshire Street in Surry Hills. ‘Warike’ is a word often used in Peru to refer to a hidden restaurant where people eat delicious food and are usually found by word of mouth; the name was chosen to signify how this Sydney dining destination started – one person telling another.
Set sail on your oceanic culinary adventure with kingfish ceviche, tiger’s milk, sweet potato purée, Peruvian corn and white corn; followed by charcoal octopus, marinated in antichuchero sauce, with charcoal cassava and corn.
Experience the fun and taste of a backyard crab fest in your own neighbourhood at The Boiling Crab on Tattersalls Lane in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Bringing the Cajun flavours of the US to Australia, this restaurant chain began life in the pots of a little Texas town called Seadrift – home to Yo’Daddy and his family of crabbers and fishermen.
Now anchoring a seafood chain Down Under, don your bib and gloves to devour King crab legs with rajun Cajun seasoning and a side of fried onion rings; or peel your way through a serve of crawfish, lemon pepper fries and corn on the cob.
Still looking to cast a line for a seafood feast near you, click here.
