Category: Seafood
Kensington 3031: Kensington Fish and Chips
The couple of other times I’ve been to Kensington fish and chips were memorable, but not for the right reasons. However On Friday night I was so keen on getting fish and chips and watching the footy, I decided to give it a ready hot go again and boy did I get lucky this time!
I ordered the fish and chip pack over the phone and drove straight past the gym to pick it up, where I should’ve been going to sweat it out instead.
My order was ready in fifteen minutes. It was clear the team behind the counter of this tiny tuck shop were working hard. They also coordinated well to get the orders out, and with a metre high pile of frozen chips ready to be deep fried on demand, it was looking like it was going to be a hectic Friday night.
Bad memories of soggy fish and chips from Kensington were wiped from my mind when I got home and looked down into the polystyrene container. I finally had my own evidence as to why this fish and chip shop is so well loved in the neighbourhood. It’s all about the $8.95 fish and chip pack. Classic fried fish and chips with a wedge of lemon were served with a side of subway style crunchy lettuce, sliced tomato and onion with a balsamic dressing. The addition of a potato cake provided me with extra glee. This time, I was happy. Simple but perfectly fried fish in a light batter and chips kept crisp in the container, as opposed to the other times where I’ve received a soggy mess wrapped up in butcher paper. If the salad was tossed together rather than assembled in the container, I would rave on about this even more.
I recommend the $8.95 deal to anyone (who doesn’t have high cholesterol) as a lazy Friday night slob treat.
Fish and Chips & a potato cake with Salad
07000 Langkawi : 7th Roof Seafood Restaurant
After discovering our hotel at Aliah Residence had a terrible menu with limited variety and zero options for vegetarians, my vegan travel buddy and I took a walk down Kampung Kuala Teriang to look for other places to eat.
Kampung Kuala Teriang is a long road that heads to Langkawi Airport. There are a few small family owned eateries, all about 500 metres apart. We visited each one and were disappointed at the choice of food, service and lack of air con / fans. I was also tired of looking at the same colourful cheap plastic chairs. Most of these eateries only had five items on their menu’s, such as ayam and nasi goreng. My instinct told me this cuisine would’ve been home style authentic Malaysian and flavoursome, but we had special requests today and could not get past the language barrier.
After walking for about a kilometre along the busy road, moving to the swampy side of the road when a motorcycle or vehicle approached, we found 7th Roof. Often there is a family of cattle walking across this road and today we were lucky enough to see them cross a few times, my vegan friend scared for their safety. I assured her the cattle know what they are doing and must’ve crossed this road a thousand times.
7th roof was a touristy seafood restaurant, but we were pleased there was a small vegetarian section.
Apart from the mixed vegetables in garlic sauce, the rest of the dishes served are seafood, The squid with onions and a Malay style sauce was a bit overdone. However, the tiger prawns and lobster are only RN15 to RN25 per 100grams and there are many delicious sauces like garlic butter or curry to choose from.
The Choy Sum cooked with a potent garlic sauce was delicious, as were the crispy vegetable spring rolls with savoury spices.
I enjoyed the food here, as well as the the restaurant’s peaceful ambience. It was although the establishment was located in the middle of a rainforest, when in fact it is situated in a swampy area. There is anti mosquito coils underneath each table, however I guarantee you will get bitten here.
The free wifi was a positive incentive for us foreigners to come to this restaurant, but was temperamental. The waitress and owners spoke good English and Chinese and provided fantastic service, willing to cater for vegetarian/ vegan diets.
I recommend 7th Roof for those on romantic dates or groups wishing to share many seafood dishes.
Auburn 3123: The Geebung
Currently I am in the Perhentian Islands relaxing and enjoying many authentic Malaysian curries, but back in Melbourne I attended ‘The Geebung’ for dinner with a potential suitor.
When it was suggested we go to ‘the Geebung’ I thought this was an Australian slang word for ‘Geelong’, however since the pub is located in Auburn, the upper class neighbouring suburb of Hawthorn, my presumption was incorrect. I do not understand why this venue has such a strange name, but apparently it has a great party vibe on Sunday nights.
This reminds me that basic spirits, house wine and pints of tap beer were $5 during happy hour, Friday night. I was impressed at the array of premium beers to choose from. The friendly bar staff will happily pour you a Mountain Goat, Fat Yak or James Squire Golden Ale.
The date turned into a friendly group hang out, and didn’t eventuate into anything further. The food however, was above average with above average prices. Modern Australian is on the menu at this upper class pub, with quinoa and vegetables instead of fried chips served as side dishes to meta and fish.
This was my first taste of sword fish, and I enjoyed it immensely. The fish was cooked to perfection (3-4 minutes pan fried on each side and then for 5 minutes in the oven I would say). I was surprised at how solid sword fish is, compared to other flakey and soft fish. The dish presented like a dogs breakfast, however the flavoursome quinoa and vegetables complimented the fish and reminded me to not judge a book by it’s cover.
After my main meal I moved outside to the little bustling beer garden and took a peek at the dessert menu. I’m not normally a sweet tooth, but I tried the chocolate mouse and it was spectacular.
I recommend The Geebung to those who don’t mind paying around $30 for a delicious pub meal that is modern, thoughtfully prepared and healthier than those found at the average pub.
Chef John Smith, Melbourne 