- By Lisa Williams
On a beautiful sunny winter’s day, I decided to take my 90-year-old mother for a drive along some of east Auckland’s beautiful beaches.
Travelling around Half Moon Bay and then down to Bucklands Beach, whilst watching the sun glistening amongst moored boats bobbing up and down, we decided to look for somewhere to have an early dinner.
It was busy along Bucklands Beach, bustling restaurants with patrons, so we headed around Musik Point and weaved our way down to Eastern Beach.
Mum, Margaret, enjoyed seeing youngsters swimming in the water and reminisced about holidaying at Eastern Beach with us kids years ago and staying in the caravan park, which of course is no longer.
We managed to get a park right outside Barracuda Restaurant, as Mum’s mobility at 90 is not as good as it used to be.
She was delighted to go into Barracuda as there were people enjoying the sunshine, dining and looking at the beautiful blue sea.
Easily accessible with a ramp up to the restaurant, we were greeted by smiling hosts and a seat that was easy for Mum to slip into. Just perfect.
With staff happy to assist, we debated the scallops on offer. However, the charming waiter then said for two people and for the price the seafood platter might be a better option.
He was certainly not pushy about it and with a love of seafood, Margaret and I decided on that selection.
We ordered the seafood platter to share, without oysters because of an allergy, and a bowl of fries, with fresh water brought to our table.
I ordered coffee and asked for mine to be in a takeaway cup, even though dining inside, so as I waited for the food, I could walk outside and check out the beautiful surroundings.
The coffee came and then when the waiter realised it wasn’t in a takeaway cup, he quickly sorted that for me.
It wasn’t long and the food on the platter arrived, as did the fries, scallops done in a cheesy sauce and impressive, clams, prawns with a Thai chilli sauce, salmon and salad.
The fries were a larger bowl than expected. They were hot, with a side of aioli and sauce, even though we initially thought we couldn’t they and the platter were devoured.
On Trip Advisor, Barracuda rates 3.5 out of 5.
My take: Well worth a visit.
Service and support: 4.5 out of 5.
Food: 4 out of 5, fresh, succulent and very tasty.
Cleanliness of restaurant and toilets: 4.5 out of 5.
Price: We paid $47.50 for seafood platter, large bowl of fries and two large hot drinks.
If you’re not a seafood lover, there are plenty of other sumptuous meals on offer.
Looking around the restaurant there were families, two men from Paris outside having a beer, a group of ladies happy and chatting, and another couple in their 80s seemed to be locals and the staff knew them by name, and the beautifully dressed woman on crutches who managed to get out easy because of the ramp to the car awaiting outside.
For more information about Barracuda Restaurant at Eastern Beach, see www.thebarracuda.co.nz
