With decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Michael Hatzifotis knows the importance of fresh seafood. With his new seafood market and eatery, New Farm Seafood, the chef and restaurateur is ensuring that locals have access to top-quality fish (and crustaceans, and molluscs) every day of the week. New Farm Seafood opened at Merthyr Village earlier this year, taking over the space previously home to Piranha Fish Caf, transforming the restaurant space into a fishmonger and nosh spot hybrid.
The venue’s interior is dominated by the fresh seafood cabinets and shelves laden with pantry items. Here, you’ll find an ever-changing bounty of seafood sourced from a diverse network of suppliers that operate across Australian and New Zealand’s shores. On a visit, you might find sashimi-grade tuna from Mooloolaba, oysters from Bruny Island, trawler-fresh Moreton Bay bugs and barramundi from up Townsville way. To enhance the at-home cooking experience, New Farm Seafood stocks an assortment of marinades, stocks, bisques and sauces. No time to cook? There’s also a bunch of heat-and-eat meals made in the kitchen
New Farm Seafood’s range makes its way into its kitchen menu, which includes takeaway and dine-in options. If you’re feeling fancy, Michael and his team are shucking oysters and serving them with rosemary and lemon granita, and are also doling out bumps of caviar served with blinis, creme fraiche and chives. From there, guests can nibble on fish croquettes with saffron aioli, tempura Moreton Bay bug rolls, and slabs of focaccia lathered in taramasalata.
Bigger plates include burgers, share-style portions of steamed mussels with chilli, garlic and tomato, Greek lamb shoulder with lemon potatoes, rib fillet steak on the bone, and Western Australian octopus tentacle with fava and balsamic glaze. Grilled fish is also a central aspect of the offering, with the likes of barramundi, ocean trout and blue-eye trevalla available with fennel puree and orange salad. Platters and family packs are also available if you’re looking to feed the entire tribe.
On the drinks front, New Farm Seafood’s bar is stocked with a sturdy wine list that features ample by-the-glass options and a high-end reserve section, the latter of which includes Louis Roederer Cristal, Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series chardonnay, Henschke’s Mount Edelstone Shiraz. A clutch of beers and non-alcoholic options round out New Farm Seafood’s beverage list.
New Farm Seafood is now open to the public – head to the Stumble Guide for more information.
