Fish and Chips on Good Friday @ Fish 349, Hobart, Tasmania

Our first day in Hobart just happened to be Good Friday, one of the only days of the year most places decide to close. Fish 349 however, a licensed gourmet fish and chip/seafood restaurant in the main street in Hobart was open and buzzing!

The five of us squeezed into their last table in the corner and settled in. In the spirit of the trip I ordered my first Tasmanian Sparkling of the week with the Ninth Island Sparkling Wine. I have to say it was lovely…clean, light and fruity.

More importantly…the menu.

Their menu was mainly filled with seafood including calamari, scallops oysters, salmon and prawns cooked and served in various ways. They also offer a whole fish and chip section with your choice of tempura battered, grilled or crumbed fish served with chips. You also have the choice of either flake, trevally blue eye or flathead. As someone who has been on a gluten free (battered fish free) diet for two years, I couldn’t go past the tempura battered flake with chips.

Served with tartar, these fish and chips were delicious. The use of a tempura batter allowed for the flake to be light and non oily; yet stay tender and moist underneath the crisp outer layer. Three of us ordered the fish and chips and all felt it was light and delicious!

Someone else on the table ordered seared scallops with a side of chips and commented on the fresh and beautiful taste of the produce.

There was also a chilli and coriander calamari ordered, which was also enjoyed! It also went nicely with the Boag’s on the side

Finally…A greek salad was a welcome side to the battered mains.

Fish 349 keeps things simple while using the best produce Tasmania has to offer. It results in classics reliable dishes tasting better than ever

For more information:

Fish 349

349 Elizabeth Street

North Hobart TAS 7000

(03) 6234 7788

www.fish349.com.au/

Exquisite Breakfast @ Stillwater Restaurant, Café and Wine Bar, Launceston, Tasmania

Over the Easter break I travelled to Tasmania with my family for a sort of food and wine tour of the east coast.

One morning in Launceston, using our Iphones, we found what looked to be a nice restaurant 30 minutes away. So off we went, phone map in hand to wander the streets until we found our desired location.

While this can often be a risky move, we arrived at a stunning water front restaurant with a beautiful décor, which coupled sophistication with a homely feel to create a welcoming atmosphere.

After ordering five coffees we examined the menu. It just screamed gourmet breakfast with a twist: Toasts, Bircher muesli and eggs in new and exciting ways.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict with a side of roasted Mushrooms. A classic I thought…yet this was the best Eggs Benedict I have ever tasted. The poached eggs were perfectly cooked, bursting with yolk when cut. The ham was fresh and the ciabatta, which was baked in house was fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.  The mushrooms were roasted in some heavenly mixture of flavours, which hinted at truffle oil. Finally the hollandaise was light and tart and far from overpowering.

Opting for a more unique choice my sister ordered the Eggs Royale, which was two truffled eggs scrambled on ciabatta toast served with house made hot smoked ocean trout and a side of crème fraiche. I think this may have been the happiest I saw her the whole trip, and after tasting it I was not surprised! It was rich and creamy and delicious!

The serves here however were on the small side and due to this two of my fellow diners were still puckish after their meals and decided to order the Ciabatta with butter and house made plum jam. After tasting the jam, they both demanded that I try it. This jam was amazing; it was sweet yet offered a slight spice, providing a warming flavour. I fell in love. Sadly when I asked where I could buy this the waitress told me that it was made in the kitchen and they didn’t sell any. She did however inform me that they added ginger and cinnamon to their plum jam, which explained the warmth and spice. I will one-day endeavour to recreate this masterpiece!

So as you have probably gathered we had a fantastic breakfast! Stillwater also provided us with our lunch for that day from their gourmet Providore located above the café.

Stomachs full from an amazing breakfast and bags full with amazing cheese, pate and crackers for lunch we left Stillwater with a smile.

For more information:

Stillwater

Ritchie’s Mill

Launceston, Tasmania

Australia 7250

(03) 6331 4153

http://www.stillwater.net.au/