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| Splash Seafood Cafe in Newtown | ||
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Splash
Seafood Cafe reflects the European tradition of fine achievements by
families working as one. Papa Jordan Jordanou, a chef of Greek-Cypriot
heritage, has fostered a great team straight out of his own lounge-room.
Son Thomas is the apprentice chef, other son Sav handles the front of
house, and the waitresses, Billie, Natalie and Jo, could easily be considered
part of the family. In January 2004 they literally "took the plunge",
submerging themselves in all things nautical, bringing good Newtown
folk something which they didn't have much of at all - and that's a
seafood restaurant/cafe with a "freshness guarantee", their
motto being "the freshest and tastiest underwater experience".
Wander past Splash's take-away fish counter next to the King Street
pavement (south side), then past Splash's wave-shaped tables (for quick
snackers), and you'll enter a submarinic state, the gentle blue decor
of the dining area evoking an aquatic atmosphere. It's like being inside
a large fish tank - thank God you're not on the menu. But what a menu!
Pick of the entrees is a crazily more-ish Tassie Scallop Mornay, just
a hint of the magic to come. Newtown has become gentrified, but there's
still not many truly luxurious dining options. Splash goes right over
the top with their Lobster Mornay: succulent lobster medallions mixed
through a rich cream sauce topped with tasty cheese accompanied by chips
or rice. There's also a Lobster Devine: scrumptious lobster medallions
with mouth-watering king prawns and tasty Tasmanian scallops baked in
a luscious cream sauce. For whole lobsters, cooked to perfection, the
price comes in under fifty bucks per creature. And yet, the most popular
mains item - for dinings who want to murder their mariner's hunger -
is the Mixed Grilled Platter for One or two: fillets of fish, prawns,
calamari, Tassie scallops, octopus and New Zealand mussels served with
chips or rice, with salad, lemon and tartare sauce. It has to be seen
to be jaw-droppingly believed. You can also get a Fresh Cold Seafood
Platter, but for diners who are more genteel, preferring menu items
that don't bust the gut, Splash does an exquisite range of marinated
dishes: Teriyaki Tuna; Thai Salmon; BBQ Blue Eye Cod in a Mediterranean
sauce; Deep Sea Perch marinated in mustard, brandy, garlic & oregano;
and Queensland Barramundi marinated in ginger, lemongrass, coriander
and garlic. There's so much more to tell, but I'll finish by mentioning,
for locals or those who'll be driving by, the lunchtime take-away specials:
Fish & Chips for just $5.50, or for just $6.50 there's the Mixed
Plate: two fish cocktails, two calamari, one prawn cutlet and a bag
of chips. Great value whether dining in or out, Splash won't be one
of those businesses which doesn't make it to its first birthday - that,
like their freshness, is guaranteed. |
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