REVIEW: GARFISH
The period which begins a couple of days before Christmas eve and ends a week into the new year is my favourite time of year. This year, particularly, the summer heat has not burned too strong, making it much more enjoyable to be outdoors.
Last weekend, it was decided that lunch was to be spent in Crows Nest. After wandering Alexander Street, we headed for Garfish as our hunger began to get the better of us.
We had been to the Garfish at Kirribilli a few months ago, so I am able to say that the outdoor dining area at Crows Nest is the more pleasant spot on a hot summer’s day. Most of the seating is under an awning (or perhaps verandah), whereas at Kirribilli, sun umbrellas provide most of the shade. If you are planning a long lunch, this does make a difference as you won’t be sweating profusely by 4 o’clock.
The food was excellent. A generously thick fillet of blue eye trevella in a light green curry sauce was very well prepared. A properly grilled piece of fish is a joy in itself and the curry flavours were subtle enough that they did not overpower the fish.
The snapper pie was impressive (I must find a recipe!) and, in my opinion, is a close second to the one prepared at the Boathouse. That said, Garfish’s pie had a wonderfully homely feel – it reminded me a lot of the pies which my mum used to make – perhaps it was the brocolli. My only complaint is that the pinches of sea salt on the pastry top were not really necessary – especially as there is salt at the table. Another friend settled for the crab tagliolini – I can’t comment on it, as I didn’t try any, however, at least half of it was left on the plate which is usually a good measure of the fare.
Dessert at Garfish is a surprisingly simple affair. Belgian waffles make up about half the offering. I found my waffles too heavy – more like bagles. The ice cream and oter assorted accompaniments were nice, but for the price you pay, I can’t profess to being a huge fan. The affogato appeared to be the dessert of choice that afternoon, as I lost count of the number I saw leaving the kitchen. And at our last visit to the Kirribilli Garfish, OP gave the raspberry and white chocolate tart high marks, so I will probably revert to this tried and tested performer next time.
The service was warm and friendly. It was the same at Kirribilli, and Garfish are well served by their wait staff. My only complaint was that the food took a little too long to come out, even factoring in the long lead time for the snapper pie. It was little noticed, however, as we were so relaxed and happy with a whole afternoon to kill.
I can summarise my experiences at Garfish very succintly – Garfish does fish well. The fish is the centrepiece, and the garnishes neither overpower nor take attention away from it. I should have mentioned this above, but the salads (especially the baby spinish, fetta and beetroot) are great. So a simply prepared piece of fish and a bowl of salad may be the way to go. I can say, with little hesitation, that summer lunches at Garfish have become part of my annual tradition.
Details:
The Place: Garfish
Where: 6/29 Holtermann Street, Crows Nest (02 9966 0445) and 2/21 Broughton Street, Kirribilli (02 9922 4322)
Food: Seafood
Tip: Find out what the daily recommendations is.
Butcher’s Bill: About $65 per person – there were four of us – each had one main, 2 salads/sides to share, bottle of riesling, desserts and coffee.
Who should go: Anyone looking to relax with friends over a seafood lunch on a Sydney summer’s day.
