Cafe of the Month
August 2004
Cuisine:
Seafood
Address:
Inner West
226 King St
Newtown
Phone:
(02) 9550 1229
Hours:
Seven Days
11am – 10.30pm
(kitchen closes 9.30pm)
Splash Seafood Cafe reflects the European tradition of fine achievements by families working as one. Papa Jordan Jordanou, a chef of Greek-Cypriot heritage, has fostered a great team straight out of his own lounge-room. Son Thomas is the apprentice chef, other son Sav handles the front of house, and the waitresses, Billie, Natalie and Jo, could easily be considered part of the family. In January 2004 they literally “took the plunge”, submerging themselves in all things nautical, bringing good Newtown folk something which they didn’t have much of at all – and that’s a seafood restaurant/cafe with a “freshness guarantee”, their motto being “the freshest and tastiest underwater experience”. Wander past Splash’s take-away fish counter next to the King Street pavement (south side), then past Splash’s wave-shaped tables (for quick snackers), and you’ll enter a submarinic state, the gentle blue decor of the dining area evoking an aquatic atmosphere. It’s like being inside a large fish tank – thank God you’re not on the menu. But what a menu! Pick of the entrees is a crazily more-ish Tassie Scallop Mornay, just a hint of the magic to come. Newtown has become gentrified, but there’s still not many truly luxurious dining options. Splash goes right over the top with their Lobster Mornay: succulent lobster medallions mixed through a rich cream sauce topped with tasty cheese accompanied by chips or rice. There’s also a Lobster Devine: scrumptious lobster medallions with mouth-watering king prawns and tasty Tasmanian scallops baked in a luscious cream sauce. For whole lobsters, cooked to perfection, the price comes in under fifty bucks per creature. And yet, the most popular mains item – for dinings who want to murder their mariner’s hunger – is the Mixed Grilled Platter for One or two: fillets of fish, prawns, calamari, Tassie scallops, octopus and New Zealand mussels served with chips or rice, with salad, lemon and tartare sauce. It has to be seen to be jaw-droppingly believed. You can also get a Fresh Cold Seafood Platter, but for diners who are more genteel, preferring menu items that don’t bust the gut, Splash does an exquisite range of marinated dishes: Teriyaki Tuna; Thai Salmon; BBQ Blue Eye Cod in a Mediterranean sauce; Deep Sea Perch marinated in mustard, brandy, garlic & oregano; and Queensland Barramundi marinated in ginger, lemongrass, coriander and garlic. There’s so much more to tell, but I’ll finish by mentioning, for locals or those who’ll be driving by, the lunchtime take-away specials: Fish & Chips for just $5.50, or for just $6.50 there’s the Mixed Plate: two fish cocktails, two calamari, one prawn cutlet and a bag of chips. Great value whether dining in or out, Splash won’t be one of those businesses which doesn’t make it to its first birthday – that, like their freshness, is guaranteed.
