This wife knows best
The Fishmonger’s Wife Shop 3/10 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach
Ph: 5491 2682
The Fishmonger’s Wife Shop 3/10 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach
Ph: 5491 2682
There are fish and chips and then there are fish and chips. This classic Aussie meal is a bit of a tradition with a particular dining buddy of mine and it usually takes the form of way more than we can eat and a walk on the beach. I think the theory here is to walk it off, although we never actually venture very far.
On this occasion we decided not to walk at all and settled in at The Fishmonger’s Wife in Dicky Beach, which is an offshoot of the East Brisbane venue that has been named the Crisco Best Fish and Chip Shop in Australia for the past two years. We were not quite on the beach but sometimes near enough is good enough and the venue was really inviting. I loved the tables; black and white historical photos were stencilled on each and we were pretty comfy on the cushioned benches that lined the wall.
Usually when we do fish and chips it is pretty straightforward — fish, chips, calamari, sometimes oysters and sometimes prawns. But suddenly we were faced with all these other amazing options. The marinated fish menu was so full of interesting temptations we both just totally abandoned the idea of traditional fish and chips. However, we were not prepared to forfeit calamari, in this instance prepared with salt, pepper and garlic (100g, $5.90). While 100g does not sound like a lot it is quite a generous helping, of which we made pretty light work. With tender and tasty strips dipped in a flavoursome garlic aioli ($1), it hit the spot.
I really wanted to try the wild wattleseed dory, but unfortunately we were a day early to try the new menu (I think that might mean I need to come back). Bouncing back from my initial disappointment, I chose the grilled lemongrass snapper ($13.90) while my lunch buddy selected the grilled Moroccan barramundi ($9.90). She promised to do a trade off, so I had the best of both worlds. The lemongrass snapper was a great choice. Fresh zesty flavours with Thai herbs on a beautifully moist piece of delicious fish.
Having said that the Moroccan barramundi was probably the winner on the day. The aromatic earthy spices were fantastic. A superb piece of fish. I was kind of wishing my lunch buddy wouldn’t like it so I could trade her for more. Of course there were also the chippies (with salad $8.90), which were fabulously crispy with more than enough to share. I also ordered a Greek salad as a side and my lunch buddy picked a baby spinach, pine nut and sweet potato salad ($5.95); both really nice. I couldn’t help noticing the battered Mars Bar ($3.80) on the menu and decided even before we ordered our mains I was going to have one, which I ordered with ice cream ($1) and a cappuccino ($3.30).
This was a really great idea in theory, but it was probably the one time where, try as I might, I could not finish what I started. Even my lunch buddy was no use to me here. We were full and it was very, very rich. While we ate in on this occasion, the menu is dine in or take away with plenty there for everyone. Offerings include fish packs of every conceivable combination and all the traditional fish and chip shop favourites such as prawn cutlets, garlic prawns, Thai fish cakes, seafood sticks, and crumbed or beer battered fish. There is even an option of Japanese breadcrumbs.
Then there is a whole range of burgers to choose from as well, so no fear of starving to death here. While we gathered ourselves together to leave I couldn’t help but be a little curious about the name. Who is this fishmonger’s wife who makes these incredible fish and chips? Does she exist at all and, if she does, what a lucky man to have her. While in serious need of that walk, it was home for us. We will have to save that for another day.
Petra Frieser’s visit was unannounced and she paid for her own meals and beverages.
The Fishmonger’s Wife Shop
3/10 Beerburrum St,
Dicky Beach
Ph: 5491 2682
FOOD FACTS
Open Wednesday-Friday, noon–7.30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am–7.30pm
Cuisine Gourmet fish and chips, dine in or take away, BYO
Cost Fish $5.95-$13.90, fish packs from $9.95
Verdict Best fish and chips in a long time
Story: Petra Frieser, weekender Issue 633, July 1st, 2010.
On this occasion we decided not to walk at all and settled in at The Fishmonger’s Wife in Dicky Beach, which is an offshoot of the East Brisbane venue that has been named the Crisco Best Fish and Chip Shop in Australia for the past two years. We were not quite on the beach but sometimes near enough is good enough and the venue was really inviting. I loved the tables; black and white historical photos were stencilled on each and we were pretty comfy on the cushioned benches that lined the wall.
Usually when we do fish and chips it is pretty straightforward — fish, chips, calamari, sometimes oysters and sometimes prawns. But suddenly we were faced with all these other amazing options. The marinated fish menu was so full of interesting temptations we both just totally abandoned the idea of traditional fish and chips. However, we were not prepared to forfeit calamari, in this instance prepared with salt, pepper and garlic (100g, $5.90). While 100g does not sound like a lot it is quite a generous helping, of which we made pretty light work. With tender and tasty strips dipped in a flavoursome garlic aioli ($1), it hit the spot.
I really wanted to try the wild wattleseed dory, but unfortunately we were a day early to try the new menu (I think that might mean I need to come back). Bouncing back from my initial disappointment, I chose the grilled lemongrass snapper ($13.90) while my lunch buddy selected the grilled Moroccan barramundi ($9.90). She promised to do a trade off, so I had the best of both worlds. The lemongrass snapper was a great choice. Fresh zesty flavours with Thai herbs on a beautifully moist piece of delicious fish.
Having said that the Moroccan barramundi was probably the winner on the day. The aromatic earthy spices were fantastic. A superb piece of fish. I was kind of wishing my lunch buddy wouldn’t like it so I could trade her for more. Of course there were also the chippies (with salad $8.90), which were fabulously crispy with more than enough to share. I also ordered a Greek salad as a side and my lunch buddy picked a baby spinach, pine nut and sweet potato salad ($5.95); both really nice. I couldn’t help noticing the battered Mars Bar ($3.80) on the menu and decided even before we ordered our mains I was going to have one, which I ordered with ice cream ($1) and a cappuccino ($3.30).
This was a really great idea in theory, but it was probably the one time where, try as I might, I could not finish what I started. Even my lunch buddy was no use to me here. We were full and it was very, very rich. While we ate in on this occasion, the menu is dine in or take away with plenty there for everyone. Offerings include fish packs of every conceivable combination and all the traditional fish and chip shop favourites such as prawn cutlets, garlic prawns, Thai fish cakes, seafood sticks, and crumbed or beer battered fish. There is even an option of Japanese breadcrumbs.
Then there is a whole range of burgers to choose from as well, so no fear of starving to death here. While we gathered ourselves together to leave I couldn’t help but be a little curious about the name. Who is this fishmonger’s wife who makes these incredible fish and chips? Does she exist at all and, if she does, what a lucky man to have her. While in serious need of that walk, it was home for us. We will have to save that for another day.
Petra Frieser’s visit was unannounced and she paid for her own meals and beverages.
The Fishmonger’s Wife Shop
3/10 Beerburrum St,
Dicky Beach
Ph: 5491 2682
FOOD FACTS
Open Wednesday-Friday, noon–7.30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am–7.30pm
Cuisine Gourmet fish and chips, dine in or take away, BYO
Cost Fish $5.95-$13.90, fish packs from $9.95
Verdict Best fish and chips in a long time
Story: Petra Frieser, weekender Issue 633, July 1st, 2010.
