Snapper Rocks opens at the Darwin Waterfront

A NEW Waterfront restaurant has everyone talking, writes JUDITH AISTHORPE

Snapper Rocks executive chef James Fiske and owner David Robinson with reef fish tartar, Eva Valley grass fed rump steak and whole wild caught snapper. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

THE Waterfront’s newest restaurant Snapper Rocks is bringing fresh local produce to the dinner table.

With a relaxed atmosphere, the aim of the owners is to dish up locally grown produce and pair it with Australian beers, wines and spirits.

Kellie and David Robinson have been working towards opening Snapper Rocks for the last three years.

“It’s funny but we are always talking and discussing new venues and concepts, but this one stood out,” Mr Robinson said.

“It was just so obvious and aligns with where we are at in our life.

“We didn’t really get serious about actually taking the plunge until around September 2017, roughly two years ago.”

He said the concept was inspired during their travels around New South Wales and Western Australia where they found themselves gravitating towards “quality casual dining venues in beautiful locations”.

“For us it is somewhere we wanted to go, somewhere with amazing local and seasonal fare, quality wine and cocktails, good service, but at the same time casual and relaxed,” he said.

“You stand out the front (of the restaurant) with your amazing views of the Waterfront and the concept just aligns with the precinct perfectly.”

He said menu would make the most of locally grown seasonal produce.

“We really want to hero our local produce and obviously we have amazing seafood up here, so that’s an obvious start, but we wanted to go further than that,” he said.

“We believe that the best food comes from ethically raised and sourced produce.”

“Food tastes best when it is in season and it just makes sense not to be freighting produce from 3000-odd kilometres away.” The bar stocks only Australian beer and wines and there’s about 90 Australian spirits to try.

Mr Robinson, who also owns the popular Mexican restaurant Hot Tamale, said he hoped Snapper Rocks would become a staple venue for Darwinites.

“What we hope is to become a local favourite, be it for a family dinner, a couple of drinks or a celebration,” he said.

Executive chef James Fiske will be dishing up plates such as salt and pepper crocodile with green onion, roast garlic and mayo; slow cooked lamb shoulder with chilli, scorched cos, garlic and almonds, or curried cauliflower popcorn with mint, lemon and spiced tomato.

Mr Fiske has 24 years of experience working in Michelin starred establishments across the UK and Europe, as well as hatted venues in Australia.

Snapper Rocks is open from 5pm to 9pm daily.