Set again from the street out of Pambula heading in the direction of the glowing waters of Merimbula Seaside, Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar is a seafood paradise on the Sapphire Coast in far south NSW.
With its trio of pitched roofs peeping by the gumtrees that line Arthur Kaine Drive, Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar appears virtually shy of the eye.
It began over 100 years in the past as a easy oyster farm on a lake that, again then, no one would have heard of in a area whose closest massive neighbour, Canberra, was simply being based.
However within the final 40 years, from when Hugh and Debbie Wheeler took up the reins, Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar has grown to turn into the pearl in a shoreline well-known for its seafood and Sydney rock oysters.
The truth is, the Sapphire Coast Oyster Path, which stretches for 100km proper all the way down to the Victorian border, is residence to essentially the most prized oysters on the planet.
It’s essential to notice although that simply because they’re doing it nicely doesn’t imply that Wheeler’s Restaurant has misplaced any of the center and honesty of its humble beginnings.
Try our fast video on our time at Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar:
Dinner from the supply— Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar
We are available by the seafood store, which is simply closing for the day. Right here you should purchase your contemporary fish and seafood, in addition to shucked and unopened oysters—from Wheeler’s Oyster Farm after all.
This additionally operates because the kiosk that was round when the Wheelers purchased the corporate in ’82. You will get your fish and chips repair right here with the choice of consuming in on the bench seats by the chillers or taking it residence—and even all the way down to the lake shore not removed from right here.
However we’re right here for the bells and whistles, and strategy the maitre d’ desk.
We’re welcomed by the beautiful smiling face of Jacqui Smith, shut buddy of the Wheelers’ and the proprietor of Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar since 2013.
Jacqui seats us within the spacious eating space on the terrace and we glance about us.
Because the three pitched roofs we noticed from the street recommended, this can be a massive venue. It’s winter in the intervening time, however with heaters and retractable roof, we’re toasty, and the vibe of the place is pleasant and relaxed.
There’s a mixture of households, {couples} and sufficient area for teams—certainly one of which is internet hosting a enjoyable shock birthday celebration tonight.
Our meal at Wheeler’s
Clearly, we now have to strive the oysters right here, that are contemporary the Wheelers’ farm on Merimbula Lake. The dozen come pure and are very good. Creamy but with a positive mineral high quality, all they want is a contact of lemon or a splash of the house-made glowing mignonette with its tiny diced items of shallot.
The mignonette reminds us to strive a trick we simply learnt from Broadwater Oysters on Pambula Lake and we add a contact of Christina’s Champagne to an oyster too.
Mains come shortly after our oysters have all gone.
Christina’s pan-roasted Humpty Doo barramundi is crisp on the perimeters but superbly tender inside. The deep orange spiced cauliflower puree, grilled spring onion and shellfish aioli steadiness the dish, add color and present the kitchen’s ability unexpectedly.
Head Chef Leon Poi (you see him flick us a nod within the video) is at work tonight and his expertise and keenness are clear to see on the plate.
My seafood bouillabaisse is outstanding. It’s an enormous bowl of black mussels, clams, fish, tiger prawns and squid in a wealthy, thick shellfish bisque. By no means once more will I say that soup isn’t a complete meal!
The dish additionally comes with two massive garlic crostini. And though the bouillabaisse with all its trimmings is great, the crusty garlic bread soaked within the soup is completely scrumptious. And no marvel. Bringing all of the seafood flavours that come from such an extended sluggish discount along with texture, garlic and butter is all the time going to be a winner!
We depart Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar with a sense of deep satisfaction, warmed although with not simply the good meals, however the healthful notion that solely heartfelt hospitality may give.
Our stroll again to the automotive is simply sluggish sufficient for us to admire the foodie items and native produce on the cabinets of the seafood store, and to remind ourselves to come back again tomorrow morning for some souvenirs.
