Fish Face Double Bay

Fish Face has always been that one restaurant in Sydney I keep coming back to whenever I’m in town. I was excited to bring my chef colleagues here visiting from Montréal, San Diego, and Auckland instead of the other better known restaurants downtown because of its consistently good food and service. It is my first time in their new Double Bay location, at first glance I already miss the inviting warm cozy atmosphere it had when the restaurant was still in Darlinghurst but then again, I came here for the food and not for the décor. They were already busy but not yet packed at 7pm which is not unusual even on a Monday night, but already our server was struggling to organize her note-​pad regarding our orders. She also failed to offer, let alone mention the specials of the evening which I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t looked up at the glass board overhead.
Everyone enjoyed their entrees and mains, despite of the very long wait in between courses. We all agreed that everything tasted very fresh and the seafood rightly so remained the focus of every dish; but there were a few dishes on the menu that day that was uncharacteristically repetitive and offbeat Asian. They offered three different dishes that had prawns in them (soup, ravioli, and omelet). Fragrant herbs were also too similar in the seafood soup, the fish salad, and in the prawn omelet. The prawn soup special was a bit on the salty side, and the desserts seemed more like an afterthought instead of the crowning glory after a meal.
The pudding-​like consistency of the custard in their crème brûlée gave the impression that it was not set by heat. I would assume it might have been cold set with gelatine instead which would be sacrilegious to the French. The «chocolate slice» seems nothing more than a medium set ganache albeit covered in «fancy» puffed rice, and my rhubarb tart lacked sweetness and shortness in the pastry.
It seems to me that chef Hodges can still deliver good seafood but may already be loosing some of his magic touch. Did I come with a bit too high of expectations this time, or is it because tonight is the [hospitality] industry’s «weekend» and the chefs are taking it easy? I hope its nothing more than a fluke; our dinner was still good overall but it didn’t impress me like it used to.

Made a last minute decision for my birthday dinner. Having had a fare few celebratory dinners at their other location I had high expectations.
The reservation was for 7pm and we were seated immediately. Having not have been to the Double Bay restaurant before, I’d assumed they’d evolved into adult dining tables. Not only was I wrong but they couldn’t cater to the needs of my 2yo sister. They have a separate dining area with normal dining but it was unavailable to us. I said lets go to my family, but being my bday they said we could adapt. She was passed around the table and walked around a lot. Seriously. Not one high chair…
The waiters were having an off evening. It showed in service and the chef let them know it…
Ok rant done. On to the main event. Food
Our whole meal was delicious to say the least. I’ve never ever been disappointed and doubt I ever will. The kitchen is creative, the flavours full and the servings decent.
We started with a dozen oysters that were shucked to order followed by a sashimi variety platter only wider in the ocean. There was whiting, ocean trout, king fish, dory, scallop (which we were told was unavailable but got served twice…), squid, calamari, octopus and a couple more (try identify in the pics). Then we had a sashimi tuna dish with baguette crackers. The corn soup with the prawn toast followed which was vibrant and full. For mains we shared a yellow curried trevalla and a king prawn omelette even better than Fei Jais.
Then round 2 of oysters and sashimi…
As we were eating the chefs were going nuts for the custard tart so we ordered that, the chocolate slice and the Crème brûlée.
All were magnificent. The custard tart was fluffy, bright and perfectly nutmeg fed. It came with a vanilla foam that partnered it perfectly. The chocolate slice was salty, sweet, creamy and covered with rice bubbles along side smoked vanilla ice cream. Omg. The Crème brûlée was caramelised to order and delicious as usual.
All in all a great meal

The sister to the Darlinghurst restaurant this surpassed the original. Extensive fish menus specials and the right kind of service, attentive but not obtrusive. I’d recommend the sashimi and actually every thing else. Fish cooked to perfection, the only down side is the fish portion size is verging on the 90s nouveau. With a 2014 price tag, I’m not cheap but I’m hungry! The design of the restaurant is bistro at the front recommended, you get the theatre of the kitchen, the fumes too, add the laundry bill to cost if dinner ! The rear of the restaurant is like stepping into a train station café, cold and uninviting except for the toilet. Why didn’t they put in banquettes and give it a touch of luxury its an opportunity wasted.
I’d definitely go back again.