Dinner for two at Flathead last night was beautiful. Rita selected Baby Green Lip Abalone, roast swiss brown mushrooms, mirin and soy as an entree ($8.50). It was absolutely to die for. They hadn't done anything to the abalone except slice it as thinly as they could, then panfry it. So the delicate, distinctintive abalone flavour was there. If you know Baby Abalone, you know they are, as the name infers, baby sized. So that means you don't get a large amount of abalone - but that's not what you eat abalone for. I loved it.
For mains I had the Lemon and Thyme Crumbed Marlin, fennel and potato bake, green beans and salsa verde ($19.50). This was good but I enjoyed the Abalone so much that the Marlin pales into insignificance. The fish was fine, the fennel & potato bake complemented the fish well, and the beans were nicely done and still crisp, and al dente if you want to use that terminology. The salsa verde was pesto-y. Is that how it should be? I don't know, but it didn't matter as the other flavours were enough, and enjoyable as they were, and didn't need the addition of the salsa verde. I tasted it and decided against adding it to the harmony already going on inside my mouth!
Tony had the Fish Soup with grilled garlic bread ($5.50) which I tasted. We both agreed it was fine. For mains he had the Char-Grilled Blue Eye with mushroom risotto, spinach and baby carrots ($19.50). It was gorgeous, particularly the risotto. I would have been more than happy with the risotto on its own.
We were so full after that we didn't tackle desserts or coffee, but the dessert menu had some great sounding items.
All in all, a place that many rave about - for good reason. It's unpretentious. It's seafood. It's healthy. It's reasonably priced. Service great, helpful and friendly. It's recommended by Rita!
** Please note I've given the Takeaway prices here. I presume you'd need to add a few extra dollars for in-house dining prices.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
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5 comments:
Sounds like you had a good feed, Rita. But be careful in thinking seafood is healthy as such.
Not necessarilly in these days of fish farms, cheap imports and mercury-laden seas. Not that is the case with Flathead I'm sure.
I've sampled their wares and found them good,
God, I sound like a right old party pooper.
I used to eat salmon regularly, thinking it was healthy, chock-full of Omega-3s and such (and local!). But after hearing David Sukuki talk about the horrors of salmon farming and the pollution of the marine environment, I had to think again. But I am afraid to say I still eat it.
Anyway, I digress. Flathead is a most wonderful establishment and I am glad you enjoyed it, Rita. I have never had bad food from there (it is my Friday-night takeaway of choice - and hmmm, guess what, it's Friday, yay!). The only problem is the interior is pretty small and you can't always get in. Wouldn't life be great if there were more small local places of this quality. We are pretty lucky in South Hobart!
Flathead is also my local. probably buy fish from the fishmongers at least once a week and actually eat in when we can (need to book for sure). I love the fact that Flathead changes its menu often to incorporate what is fresh and available at the mo.
Speaking of South Hobart, had lunch at Mojo yesterday... another buzzing little eatery.... fully packed out (predominantly women which I found very interesting). I had a fab MR roast beef bruscetta with horseradish cream, however the beef was more medium than MR. It was $17.50 which was a little on the expensive side though.
so, yes, South Hobart is definitely the place to be at the moment!
The last comment sounded like an advertorial to me!
for south hobart for sure!
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