Fish, Chips and Beer to start the New Year with game of Bocce, Dee Why (1 Jan 2012)

12A The Strand, Dee Why NSW 2099

First lunch of the new year

As per tradition my first swim, beer and fish n chips of the year was on New Years Day at Dee Why Beach. Seafood at the Beach was again very popular as expected although by around 3.30 pm when we visited the wait wasn't as long as previous years. I decided for a slightly healthier option of Grilled Fish and Chips ($12) this year instead of my usual battered fish. Thankfully I felt far better after and it tasted pretty good. I like how they separated the chips from the fish so the chips could remain crispy. The Seafood Salad ($7.50) had some decent sized prawns with a fair amount of crab stick meat and was quite enjoyable. The beach was pretty warm this year but subsequently very crowded as well. After a nice swim and lunch it was time for Bocce in the nearby park for a couple of hours to work off the hot chips.

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: Pretty good fish and chips cooked to order

CONS: Finding parking is a bit of a nightmare in the area, Fish shop is always busy

MUST TRY: Bring more beers next time

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Grilled Fish and Chips ($12)

Seafood Salad ($7.50)

Beer selection

Lunch in the park

Time for bocce

Working out which ball is closer to the jack

A few rough patches to make it challenging

Measuring to be sure

My winning two shots (top) in the final game

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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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