Perhaps the most fun thing about Sea Fuel in West End is the photographic wallpaper depicting a crowd of 1970s schoolkids clamouring for fish and chips from a van. This retro touch alludes to the fact that this family-run restaurant has been frying for several decades.
They preside over a large, modern dining room with black walls, wooden tables, metal chairs and a banquette, fully open to the street to make the most of summer breezes. Peruse the fresh fish in the display case, order takeaway, or dine in.
A 'Seafood Meal' here is a grilled, beer-battered or panko-crumbed fillet with a chips, salad, tartare sauce and lemon wedges. The sustainable list goes from cod ($22) up to a NZ Ora king salmon ($36) and spans goldband snapper, blue grenadier and red emperor as well as prawn cutlets, barra and flake. For salad, you can select from Greek, rocket, seafood or Asian.
Our beer-battered flathead comes in three batons of solid batter that crumbles in the mouth without leaving behind an oily taste. Chips are blocky and golden and the largeish serve of rocket salad has shaved parmesan and pine nuts through it. The plate is piled high – you won't go hungry after one of these things. The tartare sauce is homemade and spiked with plenty of lemon juice.
The fully stocked bar includes wine and sparkling with a Cypriot lager and some Greek wines available among a large selection. We can see ourselves having a long lunch here with friends and making good use of the bar.
Sea Fuel also has an outlet out in Cleveland – we'll be sure to drop by next time we're bayside.
