Said the oyster to the salmon…
“Is it a Bangor?”
I know it’s tempting, but don’t go getting your glow sticks, smiley tees and happy pants out just yet folks.
No, seriously, take a seat…
It was Christmas break, and if there’s anything that gets us as excited as an offer of illicit drugs in a festival toilet, it’s got to be a “roadtrip + wine and oyster” combo!!
Of course, we were dancing on the inside when we saw that the Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed had a Fresh Seafood Platter for 2 ($70) on their menu, but just like ducks on a pond, we were serenity personified to our lovely hosts.
All class – notice the Plumm glassware?
Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed
The menu
Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed
It goes without saying that while we waited on our platter we indulged in a couple of glasses of their own Bangor Sparkling ($8pp), soaking up the incredible window-seat views across the vines, and over Blackman Bay towards Dunalley. Very nice indeed, but in hindsight perhaps we should have tried the 2013 ‘1830’ Chardonnay, as only last week it won a Gold award at the Tasmanian Wine Show!
Bliss…
In very short order our platter of pleasure arrived…
Fresh Seafood Platter for 2
Why is it that seafood platters are full of such crap these days?
“Oh, you’d like some fish with that batter? Or perhaps a morsel of prawn with those crumbs?”
It was such a breath of fresh air to find a venue that not only celebrates the freshness of their seafood, but doesn’t skimp on the good stuff either. Yes, Señor Abalone, I’m looking at you!!
The oysters kilpatrick were first down the hatch. neither of us have ever been a fan, but these were probably the best version I’ve tried, with some very smoky undertones to accompany the bacon.
The mussels were everything mussels should be; light, fresh and utterly fabulous! One bowl in Cataplana style, the other in Three Farms Cider. As always, a dozen was never going to be enough!
The sautéed abalone was also garlicky good. However, despite the inevitable hit to the wallet every other time I’ve tried it, I’m yet to be convinced that it’s a delicacy!
The meatiness of the Cajun smoked salmon was a welcome contrast to the other morsels, and of course we had to finish with Bangor’s own natural oysters with a squeeze of lemon. Soooo goood…
And with that, these two clowns spent the rest of the morning lolling about in a food induced torpor…
Nest destination? Coles Bay!!
Crunchy ‘flowers’
Books and ceramics
Canned abalone!
Overall?
They may call it a shed, but it’s definitely the furthest thing from a ‘shed’ that I’ve ever seen!
I had visions of rusty corrugated iron walls, cobwebs in the corners and a hint of soil on the floor. To kick back in a lounge chair, log fire warming your toes and glass of red by your side on a cold winter’s evening…now that’s something completely unexpected, and I look forward to such an experience in a few months time! For now, you’ll just have to enjoy the blue skies, azure waters and green green grass of Bangor. Tough gig.
If you’d like to check out some of their other meals on offer, you can find their menu here.
Bangor is an hour’s drive to the east of Hobart and would make for the perfect break on your way to Port Arthur. For more details drop by their website – BW&OB Website.
Alternatively, they’ve got a great social presence over on Facebook – BW&OB on Facebook.
For the twits of the world, check them out on Twitter – @bangorfarm.
Flavours – 8.5/10
Menu – 8.5/10
Ambience – 10/10
Service – 9/10
Value – 10/10
Overall – 8.5/10
Oh, and in answer to my original question. Yes, it is!!