not your standard fish & chip shop

If you're looking for an ordinary fish and chip shop, Flippin Fish is not your place. However, if you're looking for a seafood restaurant with a difference, then make your way to Dural to try out this new restaurant. Opening in March this year, owners Domenic Lombardo and Inge Pirrie have brought a new concept to the area - a fish market come seafood 'cafe'.

Flippin Fish lives at the back of Dural shops - it's not exactly something you would normally walk or drive past and has had some pretty harsh online reviews, so I was interested to see what it was like. Especially on Mothers Day, with a fairly large group. Unfortunately we had to wait outside (lucky it was a beautiful day) for at least 30 minutes while they sorted out our table. Very disappointing seeing as we made a booking, and were with a group of 13. We eventually made our way inside, and to be honest, felt a little bit like sardines squashed in a can. There was so many people in there!

As it was Mothers Day, we had a three course set menu to choose from (choosing from three dishes within each course). I chose the Port Kenny King Prawns with alfalfa & mung bean salad for my entree and it was really yum, fresh and light. Slightly on the bigger serving side for entree, but I still ate it all. The entree ordered by majority of the table was Spanish style squid with chorizo, corn & garlic. This was slightly heavier from a meaty and flavoursome perspective, but was delicious.

  

For my main I ordered the Crispy skin Barramundi with tahini yoghurt and spiced carrots. I love ordering white fish (and can never say 'no' to Barramundi) and it didn't disappoint. Cooked perfectly with the right balance of flavours. Also, how can you go to a 'fish and chip' restaurant and not order seafood as a main!? Not me! Another favourite main on the table was the 300g grass fed sirloin with roast portabellos & parsnip puree. This was cooked to perfection with great taste, but unfortunately had so too fat on the steak (felt like 30%)....

Sides were ordered separately, and at $6 a pop. We ordered the Kale and Pear Salad (fresh but overrated) and the chips (ah-maz-ing)!

For my dessert I genuinely couldn't decide... Cadbury Milk Chocolate mousse with shortbread and honeycomb or Classic Sticky Date Pudding with butterscotch and vanilla gelato. What to choose....!? I left it up to the waitress, and she nailed it. The chocolate mousse was a winner and worked perfectly with my entree and main. It was creamy, light, more-ish and the perfect serving. Although I definitely could have nailed another one. The sticky date serving was quite big, but looked a little dry and didn't have enough sauce in my opinion.

Would I come back? Yes, I honestly would. You've got to give them a little slack. The fit out is great (if you don't mind walking up stairs to the restaurant), the service was fantastic and friendly, and the meals were tasty and on the larger size. Do I think the prices were expensive for the area? Yes, but it's a fantastic restaurant. And I certainly would pay the same (if not more) if it were located closer to the city. Would love to come back in a couple of months time to see how they've progressed... On a side note, they interestingly have some of their recipes on the website. I shall pass these on to my husband :)

Restaurant: Flippin Fish
Price: Food approx $65pp; Beverages approx. $35pp
Hours: From 11.30am
Must order: Crispy skin Barramundi with tahini yoghurt and spiced carrots

lunch, dinner or weekend retreat

Jonah's is one of those places everyone always talks about... Stunning views. Sumptuous food. Sophisticated atmosphere.

Offering contemporary Australian cuisine with breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean, this restaurant is everything attached to it's name and much, much more. As soon as you walk in you're mesmerised by the view.

The formal waitstaff are quick to greet you, and escort you to your table. Try and book a booth - they are by far the best seats in the house, especially for spotting the celebrities who are dining!

Executive Chef Peter Ridland focuses on fresh, seasonal produce with an emphasis on seafood. The wine list is very extensive with 5,000 bottles to choose from, featuring the best from Australia and around the world.

The a la carte menu took our eye (degustation prices start from $170pp + $70pp matching wines). For my entree I ordered North Atlantic Scallops sautéed with Ibérico jamón, spiced rock melon cloud, puffed quinoa and melon dressing. So light, so tasty!

I couldn't go past the Western Australian Cone Bay Barramundi for my main - roasted and served with sautéed wild mushroom, pancetta, cauliflower purée, cavolo nero and forestière sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly, however this meal - especially the sauce - was a little heavy for me.

Apart from the incredible view, the dessert menu was by far my highlight. I can't go past anything on the menu that mentions coconut or rhubarb... My husband ordered the chocolate and rosemary delice with coconut sorbet. It was rich, but the sorbet created the perfect balance.

I ordered the rhubarb and vanilla soufflé with green apple sorbet and crème anglaise. Upon presenting the dish, the waitstaff pour the crème anglaise into the oh-so fluffy souffle. And the sorbet, again, the perfect accompaniment.

The desserts. were. divine.

Maintaining a chef's hat for the past 7 years, Jonah's is the complete package. Next time however, I would make an entire weekend of it. This beautiful ocean retreat belongs to the Relais & Chateaux Group and offers seaplane transfers. For something special or just because...

Restaurant: Jonah's

Total price: Approx. $700 (for 4ppl incl. wine)

Hours: Dinner from 6pm

Must order: Rhubarb and vanilla soufflé