Bombora seafood restaurant, a glorified bistro.
With a fancy facade, the impression and expectation of this eatery didn't hold up.
Made a trip down to the Gong and after a spot of shopping I wanted to take mum and my fav aunt out for a nice seafood lunch. On our lil cruise through City Beach we spot Bombora Seafood, "THAT looks good!" we all say in unison (...fools).
We arrive and scope out the place. Theinner girly is smiling ear to ear,
' woop! ladies luncheon, ooh look a seat outside with a view of the harbour, score!'.The inner gangsta gave it a quick scan & was like, 'nah, this isn't gangsta'.
Sitting and waiting a while, no service. A few waiters pass and ignore my states. Ohh we must have to order inside. Would of been nice if someone gave a lil tap or nod to inform the same... I get the ladies orders and make my way. Still undecided if I should get the snapper or the catch of the day hmm. I see what looks like a peeling of fish skin on a mountain of chips. I ask the waitress what the dish is, and she informs that it is the snapper. I don't want a sliver of fish skin for lunch so I opt for the catch of the day.
At the counter; "I'd like the catch of the day please - grilled".
'No, you can't get it grilled' was the swift blank response. Silly me thought that because 1) this is a "restaurant" and 2) based on the waters edge, they'd be all about fresh seafood, and I could of course change the menu -I was mistaken.
I understand a menu is a menu, but I wasn't at North Beach Kiosk (which is great by the way), or at a bistro of some RSL (even those guys will sometimes throw me a bone) but not grilling a fish? Comon!?
"Why not?" I reply still shocked and a lil sad. 'You can only get the snapper or salmon grilled" said the young bloke on the other side.
Ohhh another penny drops, the catch of the day, whatever it was, that came 'lightly fried in lemon and dill tempura batter' (see, it sounded appetising!) actually came frozen and therefore no changes or swapsies. Baaaahh!
Giving optimism a work out, I go ahead and place the orders.
The place is packed, it's gotta be good, and I've been wrong before...
Assumptions were confirmed when the bundle of joy arrived. Very fried, with a sprinkle of dill on one fillet. I cut my lil fillets up and it feels like I'm cutting up a small block of rubber. Yep, these bad boys have been frozen and from who knows where. I'm bitter but hungry, so I eat my lil eraser pieces.
One fillet down, I have the salad and guzzle my beer down so as to rinse away the bland batter taste.
While all this disappointment is going on in my head. Mum unleashes, and aunt is next to rap. These two are equally disappointed with their dishes the whole lemon sole, drenched with feta and tomato to hide bitter taste, its old fish! And the pot of prawns, again with the abundance of feta cubes and small rubbery prawns. And being ace cooks know a good dish when they see and taste one, they went to town on the critiquing of the food I mean forget about Matt Preston yeh. A battle begins, and they go back and forth, "this is not cherry tomato", "the flavors of this dish are too overpowering" and so on.Bombora got a verbal beat down.
The staff are all aces, God bless there cotton socks, except the young bloke on the counter, but can't really bag him out - he's just doing his job.
Mum mentioned she was "very disappointed" to one of cute bearded (i love beards)waiters (who took it on the chin). She said that she had to say something "so they know", in the hopes that it will result in a change for the better.
Oh also, the music is too loud and corny.
The only reason I'm posting this is so you are pre warned. Go elsewhere, and enjoy your meal!
I wish I had the kahunas grande to ward off people reading the menu at the entrance. To you, I say that I am truly sorry.
Whoever owns this place is clearly not a real foodie and is happy just to be cashing in. It's a shame tho, it's a great spot and in the right hands, serving fresh seafood, this place could be a local gem with lines around the corner!
Ripped off and disappointed.
Now regretting our lunch and sipping tea and having something sweet to rid the tastes repeating on our palates and just thinking about how much I despise a poor meal...
One time in Spain, I had the sorriest excuse for a paella, and I was so disappointed, i took it personal. After a forced second helping I pushed the plate away, death stared it, splashed my wine in it, through some euros down and walked out! Leaving my two travel companions looking stumped and alight with nervous giggles
haha hmm
Should of listened to the inner gangsta :/ read more
