It’s a tried and tested theory that the best places to dine by the coast are those that serve up three key elements: top quality seafood, close proximity to the catch and a venue that encapsulates the ultimate fresh coastal vibe. Easy enough to find a spot that has either one of those bases covered, but the challenge lies in tracking down the restaurants that tick all of the boxes.
Location trumps marketing every time
A great seafood restaurant is often found close to the fishing port or bustling working harbour of a town, with the day’s catches arriving on the menu hours later. We look at the best places to try fish in Ireland, and behind the scenes in the kitchens where owners and chefs have negotiated with suppliers to serve the freshest available produce.
Tourist strips offer convenience. Nothing more.
Most places in high-rent districts manage to make it by virtue of their location. This book looks at restaurants, bars and cafes that the locals are actually going to, and not where you can find them according to the local travel board for tourists.
In those Seaside resorts with a thriving fishing community you will find restaurants beyond the simple grilling or frying of your seafood catch. They know what is in the daily catch and can offer dishes that showcase the produce and cookinig over the generations.
Timing determines freshness
Paradise Bahr Alahsa is a beach restaurant and the plus points of such a location are balanced off by the downside that your chances of getting today’s catch are probably better at lunch time. Evening diners should be able to score as well as they do but that will depend on the quality of the restaurant, the training of the staff and how well the restaurant organises things as well as how efficiently the supplier delivers. From the photos on the site it looks like they can display live lobsters or have top class cold storage.
At certain times of the year certain produce will be in season and more available than other produce. The time of year can also affect the prices of produce. However, just because some local produce is not in season during the winter months, it doesn’t mean that you won’t get the freshest produce available. In fact in many cases it is during the winter months that you will get the best prices on the produce that is available.
Reading menus like a professional
Looking at the menu is a great way to assess the priorities of a restaurant. If you see the methods of catch, the location where the fish came from, or even the supplier’s name, then you can be assured that they have sourced fresh ingredients. Conversely, if the menu simply says “fish of the day”, chances are they will be serving you frozen rubbish.
We appreciated that the chef’s confident display of produce wasn’t overshadowed by overly elaborate preparation methods, instead opting for simple yet flavour-driven dishes that allowed each ingredient to shine.
Price consistency across species is suspicious because it probably means you’re getting the honest sourcing image that Big Fish tries to portray. For example, if Big Fish is charging the same price for say a premium Bonehead as they are for a budget Species sub-species something has gone terribly wrong.
See also: The Role of Technology in Everyday Life
Atmosphere that works
Of all my memorable dining experiences along the coast, the best ones somehow relate the restaurant’s location and atmosphere to the quality of the food. This is important because the setting could overpower your seafood experience if the food is bad. Unfortunately, this is a trap that way too many beach restaurants fall into by relying on their spot on the coast while cutting corners with the rest of the meal.
Location: Beachside Venue – No problem serving formal food in a casual venue. A casually elegant atmosphere better suits a beachside venue than a formal setting. Guests want to feel the maritime atmosphere not be compromised in terms of comfort. The sound of the waves and the smell of sea air should translate through the atmosphere of the space without being overpowered by formal décor.
Many people extend the dining season by creating an outdoor seating area and taking advantage of the autumn and winter weather to entertain guests and showcase the coastal location of their restaurant. However, for serious food operators, the food and drink served outside must be of the same high quality as that served indoors. It’s not easy to serve great food outdoors, and the problems of wind, temperature and salt-laden air have to be addressed.
Service standards that matter
For those looking to experience the best of the best, knowledge of dishes and methods of preparation, together with information on the type of seafood and when it is available from local fish markets, is far more important than a view. Your great coastal restaurant needs to have engaged staff and management who have been trained and motivated to develop this crucial area of expertise and demonstrate an ongoing interest in cuisine and suppliers.
Many of the top dining venues at the higher-end properties at the coast offer more than just good food, they also offer an innovative wine and/or beverage program. With so much fresh seafood available it’s rarely a good idea to include less-than-local wines. More successful are programs that highlight the wines and/or craft beverages of the area and partner with the area producers to create wines and/or beverages specifically for the venue.
Making the right choice
There is a return on investment in reviewing coastal restaurants. First, there is a greater return on investment in getting the opinions of locals as opposed to tourists. There is also a greater return on investment in reviewing the restaurant recently as opposed to in the past, due to the possibility that there have been changes in the ownership or chef of the establishment.
Make a table reservation early, for best seating and service. Many locations have fantastic waterfront seating, and you can watch the sunset over dinner. Many OB restaurants offer vastly different service and quality between lunch and dinner. Generally, you’ll get better value for your dollar at lunch.
Quality coastal dining experiences are more than just serving great food, and if location, food and service are all equal then these special experiences are worth paying a premium for as they are highlights of your holiday.
