Wednesday 7 January 2015

Garfish Restaurant - Manly Harbour, Sydney, Australia

Manly Beach
Described as Sydney's favourite beachside mecca, who could fail to love the swathes of golden sandy beach and the sparkling turquoise sea. We were lucky enough to visit this area over Christmas when visiting our daughter and her partner.  They have been living in Sydney for over 2 years now and are totally enraptured by this beautiful city and all that his has to offer. On a clear and sunny hot day in mid-December we were guided by Louise and Dean on an 8Km walk from Spit Bridge to Manly Harbour.  This well maintained coastal path follows the contours of North Harbour and offers magnificent views of the coastline, wooded areas and elegant properties. Manly Harbour is a tranquil wharf location with views towards Sydney Harbour but just a few minutes walk through the bustling promenade brings you to Manly Beach with its ocean surf.

For lunch we had booked to eat at Garfish, an award winning restaurant on the East Esplanade. This restaurant is all about fresh fish and first impressions were good with the light airy space, modern furnishings and friendly staff.  The restaurant was packed with a mix of tourists, locals and business people all there with one thing in mind - great seafood.  The menu was presented on a simple brown paper format (bit like a paper bag with writing on) and presented a problem - how could we choose when everything looked amazing?

King Prawn & Avocado
Snapper Pie
Sydney Rock Oysters
Our helpful waitress was well informed and offered plenty of sound advice to help with our choices.  The menu items were carefully presented to offer something for everyone.  For instance, oysters could be 'natural', 'crisp fried with ginger and mirin', 'as a shot with Bloody Mary, 'wood roasted with bacon and Worcestershire sauce' or a mixed plate of them all.  Always the oyster purist, I opted for the 'natural' which were delicious.  They were Sydney Rock Oysters from the central coast area of Lemon Tree Passage and they were creamy with a mild mineral finish.  Absolute heaven with  a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Other shellfish on offer included Moreton Bay Bugs (a speciality of the restaurant), Live Rock Lobster and New Zealand Scampi.  Mains ranged from Crisp Fried Whole Baby Barramundi to King Prawn with Avocado.  I opted for the Snapper Pie.  Combining the Australian penchant for good pies and, in my opinion, one of the best white fish, there were large pieces of Snapper in a creamy Soubise  sauce (Bechamel with onion puree) topped with a light flaky pastry. Wholesome and delicious ! 




Following our meal we enjoyed what is generally known as the 'best commute in the world' by catching the ferry from Manly Harbour to Sydney Harbour, a picturesque journey of about 1/2 hour in the warm afternoon sunshine.  Now I am back in London I think I may be working in the wrong place !







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