Following the success of its first restaurant in Zetland, Salmon & Bear has opened in Newtown along King Street.
Salmon & Bear Newtown
Salmon and Bear Newtown is a much larger venue than Zetland, with warm tones, timber tables, bear curios and posters and a deer head that echo that log cabin feel.
Log Cabin Feel
This is casual dining that invites you to drop in, without making a reservation, order at the bar and enjoy the food offerings.
Banquette Seating
Much like the Zetland eatery, the focus is on sustainable seafood, mainly prepared in the Mibrasa oven which cooks the fish to an incredible soft and tender texture with a subtle char flavour.
Fisherman’s Chowder
From the specials, the Fisherman’s Chowder ($16) is not to be missed. Barramundi, prawns, clams and and a herbed broth with chunks of potato, carrot and celery make for a delicious, hearty winter dish. Warming and comforting, just what you need on these cold nights. Tempted as you may be to scoop the last drop, leave some of the broth so you can mop it up with the crusty baguette.
Tuna Poké
New to the menu since our review of Salmon & Bear Zetland is a Poké offering, a Hawaiian sushi salad with either tuna ($24) or salmon ($21). Cubed tuna is dressed in chilli and lemongrass with a seaweed salad and a delicious combination of kimchee and coconut rice that work very well together. The dish has just the right amount of heat not to overpower the delicate tuna and makes a good option to share or simply enjoy as a main course.
The Salmon Poké comes with soy and sesame dressing with corn salsa and avocado on coconut rice – definitely one to try next time.
Grizzly Plate
The Grizzly Plate ($28) is the signature dish and showcases the Mibrasa oven. You simply choose your fish – King Ora salmon, tuna, barramundi or fish of the day which happened to be Alphonsino – select the sauce and two side dishes or salad.
The salmon is a standout, crispy skinned, full on flavour and perfectly cooked that it melts in the mouth. The accompanying oyster and sesame sauce give the right kick of umami to complement the fish. From the sides, the chips come crisp and well seasoned, while the guilt-free corn salsa has a little zing with charred corn kernels, cucumber, red capsicum, tomatoes, shallots and herbs.
Decisions
Should you feel like dessert, the choice includes Bear ($7), a chocolate gelato cookie sandwich and Salmon ($7), a strawberry gelato paddle pop dipped in white chocolate – both by Gelato Messina.
Salmon and Bear is about quality sustainable produce that is cooked well and big on flavour. The vibe is friendly, relaxed and welcoming as what you would want from a casual eatery. Drop in, order at the bar and kick back over a Young Henry’s Newtowner Pale Ale until the food is served. This is casual, accessible dining that is equally welcoming for tables of family and friends, to catch up with that certain someone or even when flying solo.
Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
Salmon & Bear
226 King Street, Newtown
salmonandbear.com.au
