News The Land for Seafood Lovers
Gippsland is the land for seafood lovers, writes Richard Cornish.
The waters of Gippsland are rich in seafood and the coastline is dotted with small fishing fleets. From there the boats head out to fish along the coastline and in the deeper water of Bass Strait.
The fishers target species such as scallops, lobster, sardines, whiting and flathead. You can pack an esky, travel along the coast and buy lobster, known locally as crayfish, from the fishers at San Remo, from the Cripps Family at Port Franklin and at the Lake Entrance Fishermen’s Co-op.
If you’d prefer a professional to cook your seafood, head to one of of Gippsland’s specialist seafood restaurants. Chef Nick Mahlook, formerly of The Atlantic at Crown, has Sodafish, a floating restaurant moored next to the Lake Entrance fishing fleet. He literally walks from the kitchen, takes the fish straight from the boats and starts preparing them for the next service. Expect scallops grilled with finely sliced cured pork, ceviche of seasonal white fish and the most exquisitely fresh pan-fried John Dory.
Down on the Lakes at Paynesville Chef Mark Briggs at Sardine transforms the lesser loved duckfish with the Japanese flavours of shiso, ponzu and edamame into a sublime tartare or puts fleshy morsels of spanner crab with chilli and parsley through freshly made bucatini. His skill is consummate, hand filleting sardines into delicately meaty morsels seasoned with smoked garlic and pickled onions. With a view out over the yachts moored to the jetty, a brilliant wine list and a casual wine bar next door Sardine has been recognised by the critics as one of the best seafood restaurants in the nation.
SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS
SODAFISH
Middle Boat Harbour, The Esplanade, Lakes Entrance
SARDINE
3/69 Esplanade, Paynesville
BUY DIRECT FROM THE FISHERS
San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op
170 Marine Parade, San Remo
Fresh Fish Port Franklin
2 South St, Port Franklin
Off the Wharf
37 Bullock Island Rd, Lakes Entrance
Fresh from the trawlers (over summer)
The Esplanade, Lakes Entrance
Published on under: Eat & Drink