Set again from the highway out of Pambula heading in direction of the glowing waters of Merimbula Beach, 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 way of the gumtrees that line Arthur Kaine Drive, Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar appears nearly shy of the eye.
It began over 100 years in the past as a easy oyster farm on a lake that, again then, no person would have heard of in a area whose closest huge neighbour, Canberra, was simply being based.
But 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 change into the pearl in a shoreline well-known for its seafood and Sydney rock oysters.
In reality, the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail, which stretches for 100km proper right down to the Victorian border, is dwelling to essentially the most prized oysters on the planet.
It’s essential to notice although that simply because they’re doing it properly doesn’t imply that Wheeler’s Restaurant has misplaced any of the guts and honesty of its humble beginnings.
Check out 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 way of the seafood store, which is simply closing for the day. Here you should purchase your recent 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 can get your fish and chips repair right here with the choice of consuming in on the bench seats by the chillers or taking it dwelling—and even right down to the lake shore not removed from right here.
But we’re right here for the bells and whistles, and method the maitre d’ desk.
We’re welcomed by the beautiful smiling face of Jacqui Smith, shut pal 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.
As the three pitched roofs we noticed from the highway instructed, it is a huge venue. It’s winter in the mean 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 house for teams—one among which is internet hosting a enjoyable shock party tonight.
Our meal at Wheeler’s
Obviously, we’ve got to strive the oysters right here, that are recent the Wheelers’ farm on Merimbula Lake. The dozen come pure and are very good. Creamy but with a superb 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 fantastically tender inside. The deep orange spiced cauliflower puree, grilled spring onion and shellfish aioli stability the dish, add color and present the kitchen’s talent suddenly.
Head Chef Leon Poi (you see him flick us a nod within the video) is at work tonight and his abilities and keenness are clear to see on the plate.
My seafood bouillabaisse is exceptional. It’s a large bowl of black mussels, clams, fish, tiger prawns and squid in a wealthy, thick shellfish bisque. Never once more will I say that soup isn’t an entire meal!
The dish additionally comes with two huge garlic crostini. And though the bouillabaisse with all its trimmings is great, the crusty garlic bread soaked within the soup is totally scrumptious. And no surprise. Bringing all of the seafood flavours that come from such an extended gradual 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 automobile is simply gradual sufficient for us to admire the foodie presents and native produce on the cabinets of the seafood store, and to remind ourselves to return again tomorrow morning for some souvenirs.