Seafood at the Beach: New Year's Day Fish n Chips, Dee Why (1 Jan 2011)

12A The Strand, Dee Why NSW 2099

First beer & lunch for new year

New Year's Day has become my first swim of the year followed by a fish and chips lunch and a game of bocce with friends — hopefully the traditional will continue. Seafood at the Beach seems to have quite a monopoly at Dee Why beach and hence a 30 minute wait for your order is not uncommon when busy as it was today. My basic Fish and chips ($11) had a sizable amount of fish and a fairly thin batter although could have been a bit crispier. The higher priced Grilled barramundi with chips ($17) and Grilled perch and chips ($19) looked quite nice. After a short walk to the park the decently sized Grilled swordfish with garlic, lemon, parsley, butter and chips ($19) looked pretty soaked with butter. A generous serving of Salt and pepper squid ($9) with it's KFC looking coating was fairly tender but could have been a bit better and less oily. Looking at the menu compared to last year it looks like a few items have gone up in price and some have stayed the same. I was keen to get some oysters but they weren't looking particularly happy in the display counter. Service is frantic in the kitchen and always looks a little stressed so friendliness can be a little hard to come by.

Other visits to Seafood at the Beach:

• 1 Jan 2012 - Grilled fish and chips

• 1 Jan 2011 - Fish and chips, Salt and Pepper Calamari

• 1 Jan 2010 - Fish and chips, Snack Pack, Oysters

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Handy location to beach and park, Lots of menu choices

CONS: Relatively expensive, Long waits when busy, Oysters weren't particularly looking fresh

MUST TRY: Getting oysters from Sydney Fish Market on the way next year or checking out Dee Why Seafoods to compare

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Fish and chips ($11)

Grilled barramundi with chips ($17)

Grilled perch and chips ($19)

Grilled swordfish with garlic, lemon, parsley, butter and chips ($19)

Salt and pepper squid ($9)

First beer of the new year

Menu

Customers waiting for their orders

Display counter — only a few sad looking oysters left

Across the road from the park and beach

My best shot of the day (left)

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