By Franz Scheurer
I really thought that the market for the quintessential Australian “Seafood Platter for two” had all but disappeared until I visited Nick’s Seafood Restaurant at Cockle Bay Wharf . There was a veritable forest of seafood platters being devoured by a full house of locals and tourists alike.
Nick’s is a noisy, open-planned eatery with views of Darling Harbour. The menu is seafood and more seafood with a couple of token meat dishes for the unfaithful. Not only can you order “Nick’s entrée platter for two”, but also there is a “Cold seafood platter” and of course “Nick’s seafood platter for two”, mains.
Stacked high like a 60s hairdo they represent excellent value and the seafood is fresh and well prepared. I am particularly impressed by the fact that they name Blue Eye correctly on the menu, although the waiter serving the dish slipped back into the common bad habit and asked: “Who’s having the Blue Eye Cod?”
There is a good selection of wines by the glass and a good choice of cocktails and imported and local beers. This is obviously a popular spot as patrons keep queuing for tables.
Service however is a little inattentive and a smile would go a long way to make up for this. Value for money is good for the actual seafood dishes but is less so when you add all the extras, like bread, chips, salads and vegetables, all charged separately. Coffee is surprisingly good and if you feel like a trip down memory lane this might be the place to do it. If you want to hold a conversation at the same time as you hack into your mountain of seafood then I would suggest you request an outdoor table.
Score: 5/10