Restaurant Review: La Marina Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Wollongong

One of my favourite restaurants of Shellharbour, La Marina Tapas Bar and Restaurant has moved to Keira St, Wollongong. If you like Spanish food then you'll love La Marina.

Below are some of the meals we enjoyed at La Marina when they were still located in Shellharbour. I hope to visit their Wollongong store very soon. Don't forget to buy a carafe of their sangria. It makes the Spanish dining experience even more authentic!

It was Australia Day and we were also celebrating a friend's birthday. We had a table of four diners and decided to start with Parilla de Mariscos, a BBQ'd seafood platter A selection of grilled seafood including fish, scampi, king prawns, squid, pippies, and mussels served with chips and salad on the side.($36.00 - Min. 2 persons). Next, several tapas were chosen including tasmanian scallops, pippies, whitebait and a very enjoyable chorizo sausage in dry sherry. Delicous! It almost makes you want to scream out 'Ole!'

After we were seated, we were presented with some free almonds, nicely spiced and a great start to a wonderful meal.

Free almonds

Parillada de Mariscos (Min. 2 persons) - BBQ'd seafood platter.
A selection of grilled seafood including fish, scampi, king prawns, squid, pippies, and mussels served with chips and salad on the side. 36.00pp

Seared Tasmanian Scallops - In chilli & roasted sweet paprika with garlic & white wine 11.90

Everyone had a taste of the scallops which were superbly cooked and the sauce was amazing.

Almejas - Pan cooked pippies with white wine, garlic and parsley 11.50

A very morish dish which we all enjoyed a sample off. It brought back memories of collecting pippies on the beach, looking for the tell-tale bubbles in the sand. A definite favourite.

Chanquettes - Lightly floured white bait deep fried, served with lemon wedge 10.50

Not really to my taste but the men at our table really enjoy the crispy whitebait, although after sampling the scallops and pippies I can't see the attraction.

Chorizo a la Jerezana 10.90

This potent Spanish sausage was cooked in a dry sherry and onion sauce, served in a sizzling dish which caused everyone to lean forward with expectation. The smells alone made our appetites revive. The sherry sauce was amazing and complemented the sausage well. Not for the faint of heart, though. There is always the chance that spicy sausages will repeat on me later and this was no exception.

I loved the decore of La Marina. It is like you have been transported to Spain. The warmth of the rich red tones and colourful decorations. A joy to visit and while away an hour or two with good food, conversation and share the experience with friends and family.

Tapas menu ranges between $10.50 and 11.50
Main meals range between $17.50 and 36pp for the seafood platter

La Marina Tapas Bar and Restaurant
130 Keira St, Wollongong NSW 2500
Phone: 02 42 271033

http://www.lamarina.com.au/index.htm


Photos by Vanessa Pike-Russell for Illawarra Food Reviews
http://illawarrafoodreviews.blogspot.com/

Restaurant and Catering 2009 South Coast Awards nominees

Restaurant and Catering NSW have released their 2009 SOUTH COAST AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE NOMINEES LIST

ASIAN RESTAURANT

Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant, Bargo
Kings Chinese, North Wollongong
Mango Moon, Kiama
Mylan Restaurant, Wollongong
Trang Vietnamese Restaurant, Wollongong

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

Café Lush Pambula, Pambula
Diggies Café, North Wollongong
The Waterfront Café, Pambula

BYO RESTAURANT

Costa Azzurra Woodfire Restaurant, Fairy Meadow
Josh’s Cafe, Berrima
Red Raven Restaurant, Nowra

CAFÉ – UPPER COAST

Café Parkview, Kiama
Lysanders, Shellharbour
Relish on Addison, Shellharbour
Seahaven Café, Gerroa

CAFÉ – LOWER COAST

Annnabels Café, Ulladulla
Monets Café Restaurant, Batemans Bay
The Starfish Deli, Batemans Bay

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – LOWER COAST

Butterfactory Café & Restaurant, Pyree
Millards Cottage Restaurant, Uladulla
Seagrass Brasserie, Huskisson

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – UPPER COAST

55 on Collins, Kiama
Bellachara Restaurant, Gerringong
ei8ht, Camden
Eschalot, Berrima
Samuels Restaurant, Thirroul

FAMILY RESTAURANT

Little Italy, Thirroul
Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant, Merimbula
Panarotti’s Macarthur, Ambarvale
Vaby’s Mediterranean Grill, Picton

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

ENZO Restaurant, Camden
La bella Vita, Camden
Lorenzo’s Diner, Wollongong
Michael’s Ristorante, Wollongong
Trevi Fountain Restaurant, Nowra
Trio Trattoria, Nowra

NEW RESTAURANT - UPPER COAST

46 on Crown Bar & Restaurant, Wollongong
Angelico Restaurant, Leumeah
Lee and Me, Wollongong
Luigi’s Restaurant, Narellan
May’s Restaurant, Dapto
Red Olive Restaurant, Mittagong

NEW RESTAURANT - LOWER COAST

Australian Hotel, Nowra
Dry Stone Restaurant, Mimosa Winery, Bermagui
Hungry Duck, Berry
Waterview on the Bay, Batemans Bay

PIZZA RESTAURANT

Bon Aroma Pizza, Bulli
Ciao Mediterranean Restaurant & Pizzeria, Gwynneville
Figtree Gourmet Kitchen, West Wollongong
Pizza’s in the Mist, Bowral
Mimosa Rocks Restaurant, Tathra
Sam’s Pizza Restaurant, Warilla

RESTAURANT IN A PUB / CLUB

Buffet Fusion Family Restaurant, Shoalhaven Ex-Services Club, Nowra
Lynch’s At Narooma, Lynches Hotel, Narooma
Ocean Beach Hotel, Ocean Beach Hotel, Shellharbour
RELISH @ the Links, Links Golf Course, Shellharbour
Swordfish, Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club, Ulladulla
Zac’s Café & Bistro, City Diggers, Wollongong

RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL / GUESTHOUSE / RESORT

Bannisters Restaurant, Bannisters, Mollymook
Elizans of Ulladulla Guesthouse, Ulladulla
Katers Restaurant, Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest
Ravensthorpe Guesthouse and Restaurant, Albion Park
Windjammers Restaurant, Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong

RESTAURANT IN A WINERY

Centennial Vineyards Restaurant, Centennial Vineyards, Bowral
Crooked River Cafe Wines Restaurant, Gerringong
Stones Restaurant, Eling Forest Winery, Sutton Forest

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Addison’s Seafood, Grill & Bar, Shellharbour
Captain Johns Seafood Restaurant, Merimbula
Cargos Wharf Restaurant, Kiama
On the Pier, Batemans Bay
Pickled Octopus, Tuross Head

SPECIALTY RESTAURANT

Ghedia’s Indian Restaurant, Wollongong
Ritzy Gritz New Mexican Grill, Kiama
Ruby’s Country Style Cuisine, Mt Kembla
Turkoise Mediterranean Restaurant, Campbelltown

STEAK RESTAURANT

Murphy’s Bar Grill, Unanderra
Outback Steakhouse, Fairy Meadow
Outback Steakhouse, Leumeah
Tongarra Restaurant, Albion Park

THAI RESTAURANT

Coconut Thai Restaurant, Wollongong
Jasmine Rice Thai Restaurant, Wollongong
One Thai, Dapto
Raya Thai Restaurant, Helensburgh
Thai Carnation Restaurant, Wollongong
Thai Riverside Restaurant, Nowra

WINE LIST CATEGORY

Elizans, Ulladulla Guesthouse, Ulladulla (Comprehensive)
Eschalot Restaurant (Comprehensive)
55 on Collins, Kiama (Limited)
Butterfactory Café & Restaurant, Pyree (Limited)
On the Pier, Batemans Bay (Limited)

CATERING CATEGORIES

RESTAURANT CATERER

On the Pier, Batemans Bay
Ravensthorpe, Albion Park
The Butterfactory Café & Restaurant, Pyree

CORPORATE CATERER

R & R Catering, Helensburgh

FUNCTION/CONVENTION CATERER

City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong

HOTEL CATERER

Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong

WEDDING CATERER

Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong
City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong
R & R Catering, Helensburgh
M&B Food and Catering, Bowral
Addison’s Reception Lounge, Shellharbour

Foodie links

Foodie websites and events

• Eat organic – Grow Organic


• Growing Healthy Food at Home


• Community Gardens


• Farmers Markets


• Sustainable Seafood


• Factsheets & Downloads


• Links

http://www.sustainableillawarra.com.au/Sustainable-Food.html

---

http://www.regionalfood.com.au/RF2/home.asp


River Cottage Autumn

http://www.rivercottage.net/Default.aspx

---

http://slowfoodaustralia.com.au/convivia/find-a-convivium/new-south-wales/

---

Santos Trading
http://www.santostrading.com.au/bulkfood/index.php

---

Sustainable illawarra
http://www.sustainableillawarra.com.au/Whats-On.html

ILLAWARRA FOOD EVENTS

---

	Albion Park Outdoor Camp Kitchen Challenge - Albion Park Sat 23/05/09 - Sat 23/05/09 The Albion Park Outdoor Camp Kitchen Challenge comprises of an outdoor cooking challenge, live music, bush dance, local produce displays, cooking demonstrations and family friendly events. The...	Event Festivals and Celebrations
Tutti in Piazza - Italian Day Festival - Wollongong Sat 30/05/09 - Sat 30/05/09 Join the Italian community for 'Tutti in Piazza' Italian Day at Crown St Mall. The Mall will be transformed into an Italian Piazza with delicious food and Italian entertainment including a parade
	Shoalhaven Coast Wine Festival 2009 - Gerringong Fri 05/06/09 - Mon 08/06/09 - Unconfirmed The Shoalhaven Coast Wine Festival involves cellar door tastings, as well as entertainment, photographic and art exhibitions, special lunches and dinners and winery and vineyard tours and over the...	Event Festivals and Celebrations
	Gerringong Village Markets - Gerringong Come along and support the Gerringong Village Markets in picturesque seaside Gerringong to be held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. This is a Rotary Club of Gerringong Sunrise event - fundraiser...	Attraction Retail, Shopping Locate On Map
	Family Fun n Fireworks at Lake Illawarra - Lake Illawarra Sat 06/06/09 - Sat 06/06/09 Family Fun ’n’ Fireworks at Lake Illawarra, fun for the whole family; with heaps of free rides, plenty of stalls, show bags and food. There will be roaming performers, kid’s acts and entertainment...	Event Festivals and Celebrations, Performances
	Folk in the Foothills - Jamberoo Sun 18/10/09 - Sun 18/10/09 - Unconfirmed A relaxing one-day folk festival in the beautiful Illawarra Rainforest, there will be 16 artists with 26 concerts in five venues at Jamberoo Valley Lodge. Performers include: Martin Pearson, Jim...	Event Festivals and Celebrations, Performances
	Kiama Produce Market - Kiama Spend the day in Kiama and browse through the popular Kiama Produce Market, are held on the fourth Saturday of every month. Inspect the fantastic array of stalls specializing in fish, meats,...	Attraction Agriculture and Produce, Food and Wine, Retail, Shopping Locate On Map
	Festival in the Forest - Shellharbour Sun 20/09/09 - Sun 20/09/09 Festival in the Forest is a fun day of music, food and entertainment featuring; Polish Dancers, Bollywood Xclusive, Doogles Puppet Show, Children's Gospel Choir, Song Writing with Kristina Olsen,...

NSW Markets

What: The Rocks Market
Where: The Rocks Sydney
When: Every weekend (except over Christmas/ New Year) 10 - 5pm
www.rocksmarket.com.au


What: Good Living Growers Market - Pyrmont
When: The first Saturday of every month (except January) 7 am till 11 am
Where: A beautiful venue on the grass in front of the Star City Casino in Pyrmont

Crooked River Winery Cafe

Today we visited a lovely winery just outside of Gerringong NSW Australia on the winery tour with club46 ( www.club46.com.au ). Our winery tour ticket included three wineries (Coolongatta Estate, Two Figs and Crooked River Winery), a sumptuous lunch including a starter of bread and semi dried tomato butter, a choice of four mains and a cup of coffee. I chose the tasting platter for 2 and was very impressed with the serving size and quality of food which included smoked salmon, chicken lyonnaise, eggplant, pate, salt and pepper calamari.



Crooked River Winery Cafe - Tasting plate with crusty Turkish bread, grilled and marinated eggplant and peppers (not included), petuna smoked Atlantic salmon, lyonnaise chicken, salt and pepper calamari, pate and five-spiced pork

I could not find fault with one morsel of this tasting plate. Everything was delicious and it was heartily enjoyed. My favourite part was the five-spiced pork but it was all delicious.

Other mains enjoyed at my table are pictured below

Twice Cooked Five-Spice Pork Belly with a warm chorizo, kipfler and green bean salad, chilli, palm sugar and apple caramel

Truffled Lyonnaise Chicken with parsnip puree, oven dried roma tomatoes, young spinach and garlic dressing

'Michael's Grilled Beef Burger' with onion jam, bacon, omelette, vintage cheddar and fries

The view was breathtaking. I could have stayed there all day.

www.crookedriverwines.com/

http://www.crookedriverwinescafe.com.au/

Shellharbour: La Marina Tapas Bar and Restaurant

A little bit of Spain in the seaside village of Shellharbour, an hour south of Sydney and one of New South Wales' best kept secrets. La Marina spanish restaurant was the venue for Stan's 51st birthday and Australia Day celebrations.

Free almonds

PARILLADA DE MARISCOS (Min. 2 persons) 36.00pp

BBQ'd seafood platter. A selection of grilled seafood including fish, scampi, king prawns, squid, pippies, and mussels served with chips and salad on the side.

SEARED TASMANIAN SCALLOPS 11.90

In chilli & roasted sweet paprika with garlic & white wine

ALMEJAS 11.50

Pan cooked pippies with white wine, garlic and parsley

CHANQUETES 10.50

Lightly floured white bait deep fried, served with lemon wedge

CHORIZO A LA JEREZANA 10.90

Spanish sausage cooked in dry sherry and onion served in a sizzling dish

I love the decore of La Marina. It is like you have been transported to Spain. The warmth of the rich red t ones and colourful decorations. A joy to visit and while away an hour or two with good food, conversation and share the experience with friends and/or family.

Good Food Month: Sydney Night Noodle Markets

On October 17th, 2006 I celebrated my 35th birthday. It was quite a milestone so I decided to spend my day enjoying Taronga Park Zoo's 90 cent entry for birthday boys and girls (part of their 90th birthday celebrations) and then at night made our way to the Night Noodle Markets in Sydney's Hyde Park. It was a magical experience for me, my first night market but certainly not my last.

If you missed it, there is good news - it is on again this year and, weather and health permitting, I will be there on my birthday to once again celebrate growing older with a party environment that is intoxicating. Thousands of people coming together to sample foods from all over the world, sample beers and wine and appreciate the wonderful City of Sydney. What more could a birthday girl ask for?

Here are some photos from last year's Good Food Month, Night Noodle Markets 06

Night Noodle Markets, Hyde Park


Mussells



Seafood Skewers





Salt and Pepper Calimari


Yum Cha




My favourite of the night was the Japanese Okonomiyaki from Japancake



King Prawn Pancake (okonomiyaki)

King Prawn Pancake (okonomiyaki) with Oysters


Oysters au Naturale'




Yum Cha plate $18 @ Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park, Sydney


Location:
Hyde Park North
Hyde Park, Sydney

Event dates:
Monday, 8 October 5 - 9pm
Tuesday, 9 October 5 - 9pm
Wednesday, 10 October 5 - 9pm
Thursday, 11 October 5 - 9pm
Friday, 12 October 5 - 9pm
Monday, 15 October 5 - 9pm
Tuesday, 16 October 5 - 9pm
Wednesday, 17 October 5 - 9pm
Thursday, 18 October 5 - 9pm
Friday, 19 October 5 - 9pm