For the foodies out there.....

We were given a recommendation before we came, that a must visit, is the Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar. We decided to book before we came, and Im glad we did. It was very busy for a Sunday night.

We immediately loved the atmosphere and relaxed into a great night. Its predominantly a seafood restaurant and seafood is what we would eat!! First up we were given warm freshly baked rolls.. (to die for).. with a chickpea and roast pepper spread and a seaweed butter to go with. We also decided to drink wines by the glass so we could try more than one of the local wines. Our waitress we found out late in the evening was a somellier by trade. She was incredible insightful and interesting and helped make our night.

We were both keen on oysters as a starter and neither of us have seen such an extensive menu of oysters in any one place. In the long run they made it easy by saying they had an option of 6 different varieties available that evening. We decided to try one of each.

Yes Im rather happy to be there. Behind us is the sushi bar... with 3 sushi chefs

The fitout is similar to what is seen in modern Melbourne restaurants lately. Brick, timber, ducted pipework in the ceiling visible and comfy furniture. They also had ample space around each table to give privacy.

They oysters came with a raspberry vinegarette and lemons. We didnt bother with these!

Before and after.... we were fascinated at the different shells each oyser had. Some of them are from very close regions of the area. It made our options at home seem very limited.

Next up was Ahi Tuna Tataki. Lightly seared sashimi with daikon and miso infused barley. That barley went so fantastically with the tuna.....

Then is was a whole steamed Dungeness Crab for Mark... simply with a lemon butter and veges.

For me the Arctic Char... a fresh water fish that is somehow between a salmon and a trout. Light pink flesh and very delicate. Apparently is a favourite catch of fly-fishermen. The sauce was braised leeks, trout caviar, crab and cous cous in a vermouth butter sauce. Delicious!!!!

Believe it or not... we still managed to share a dessert. The most incredible... I repeat incredible dessert... Lemongrass brulee on one side with the other dish having a dense square of carrot cake, mango salsa with a light yoghurt & ginger sorbet. Did I mention it was incredible!!

The check came with Petit Four.... like we needed more food. Somehow we managed to down the banana and almond cake and a couple of bits of the blueberry biscotti. I dont know if it was the wine... (we only had 3.5 glasses each).. but by the end Mark was raving to the waitress that it was close to, if not, the best meal he had eaten in his life.

So Mark was still raving about it so much the next day, I could not stop him from heading there again. It was booked out (Monday night) but no reservation necessary to sit at the sushi bar.

The white in the background is an ice covered metal framework (like beer taps in a pub). So when the sushi orders came in, they would make them up then sit them in front of this ice to keep cool. FYI - hanging above is an olympic baton.

The chef in action searing some tuna.

We went for oysters again. Only 5 each this time.

Then a lighter meal of lobster and mango sushi wrapped in egg crepe and tuna belly sashimi. Super tender and delicate to eat. We were so, so tempted to back up with the same dessert again but we used a little restraint and stopped there... happy with a lighter meal.