I am an odd creature in Winter time. During Summer I am a night person and love going out at night but in Winter I prefer to stay in at night and huddle close to warmth. My solution to this Winter Night-time hibernation is going out during the day when the sun is shining and then retreat back into the house at night when the sun has gone down and the temperature dips. This also is good for the species Foodus Bloggerus. This ensures that we get enough light to photograph our meals whereas dining at night means that I don’t have to eat at 5pm to catch the last vestiges of light. So on Sunny days you’ll find me perched outside, lizard style, bathing in the warmth and getting my Vitamin D before scurrying home. One such day was our Sunday afternoon lunch at Manta on the sexy Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, just around the corner from where Russell Crowe and other lucky individuals live.
We’re seated across from the wharf where in October, they’ll host an Oyster festival featuring the best oysters of the season. We take a look at the menu – Manta is known for its seafood but their meat page (done in a leather look material) is beckoning. Is it silly to go to a seafood restaurant and order steak? Perhaps, but Mr NQN is liking the look of the steaks. We order some entrees and mains based on their recommendations (I always ask for staff recommendations) and sit back and soak up the sun while nearby boats bob up and down on the sparkling water.
1/2 dozen chef mixed oysters $25
We’re served three types of oysters: the Clair de Lune from Batemans Bay, Coffin Bay Pacifics and Sydney Rock Oysters from Port Stephens. As similar as oysters appear to be, when faced with the three different types we taste they’re also quite distinct. The Clair de Lune is sublime and my favourite of the three, the Pacific is rich, creamy and enormous and the Sydney Rock is all briney deliciousness.
Raw Selection $38
The raw selection includes Hiramasa Kingfish Carpaccio with celeriac, apple and salsa verde. The delicate flavours go well with the kingfish and the salsa verde’s parsley gives the dish a lift and a freshness.
Tasmanian Scallop (part of the raw platter)
The raw Tasmanian Scallop with the roe on has sicilian capers, shaved fennel, radish and orange. It is sweet and slightly bitter from the radish and given saltiness from the caper.
Yamba King Prawns (part of the raw platter)
The Yamba King Prawn ceviche with garlic, chili, lime and baby basil has a lovely Asian-ey flavour to it.
Ocean Trout Tartare (part of the raw platter)
The last Ocean Trout tartare, horseradish creme fraiche, cucumber, eschallot and lemon oil is fantastially fresh with a Japanese feel to it.
Our waitress brings our live Lobster to see us. He’s protesting and I’m sure peering to the nearby water and trying to get there somehow. He executes a quick, furious snap of his tail, the restaurant patrons oooh and he’s quickly ushered back in to be cooked. We’re waiting about half an hour for our mains. In the meantime Mr NQN walks down to the end of the wharf to see what life is like there (it’s good apparently and filled with Bentleys and more expensive boats).
Lobster and Beef platter-the most elegant Surf N Turf platter you could imagine
Lobster $121.50
When he returns he is delighted to feast his eyes and lips on the plate. Having a plate like this set down on your table will invite stares. I felt as if Russell Crowe has sat down to join us for lunch (and no I don’t have a Russell Crowe obsession at all, he just happens to be the most well known resident of this area). People slow down and elbow their friends and look lustingly. I don’t blame them for what we have is the Lobster with a tomato, chili, garlic and basil sauce. It’s sliced in half with the meat removed and cooked and then stuffed back in. The meat is beautifully tender and soft, not at all chewy (as lobster sometimes can be).
600g fillet $105 for two
Sides for the Beef: broccolini and mashed potato
As I’m eating the lobster Mr NQN is busy with the steak. Calling it merely a steak is like calling Ferran Adria simply a cook. It’s a 600g Black Angus Eye Fillet from Northern NSW, Grain fed Rangers Valley, marble score 3-4 and is served with roasted bone marrow, field mushroom, broccolini and potato mash. I should explain that for the first 18 years of his life Mr NQN was a vegetarian and as such is rather fussy with his steak. He has no such issues and for a man whose greatest compliment is “It’s ok” he’s gesturing and saying “this is really, really good” and it’s like his version of 5 stars. I take a piece and the steak knife is not necessary. It’s beautifully tender and absolutely perfectly cooked to medium rare.
Bone Marrow-yes oh yes…
The bone marrow is soft and gelatinously creamy spread on top of the steak and the mash is creamy and garlicky. The broccolini is cooked expertly with a crunch and dressed lightly in oil.
Angel Chips $15.50
The Angel chips get fiddled and picked at but are too rich for us, particularly given the previous dishes. Heady with truffle oil and a generous dusting or reggiano cheese they’re rich and probably better suited as an accompaniment to oysters if you were dining at the Oyster Bar and partaking of lighter fare.
As you can imagine there’s no room at all for dessert.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you ask for a waiter’s recommendations or do you prefer to wing it?
NQN and Mr NQN dined as guests of Manta Restaurant.
And because it’s Wednesday again and hump day, here is a new Wallpaper! A Rose & Pistachio Browned Butter Baklava 
Manta
The Wharf
6 Cowper Wharf Road 2011
Phone (02) 9332 3822
Open 7 days
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38 Comments | Add your own
That is one helluva ’surf n turf’!
haha I worked there for a day. And then bailed to work for China Doll next door; I will testify that your oysters were opened to order, the fries cut by hand, and the seafood as fresh as you’ll get in any restaurant. (Good for eating, but makes for fairly difficult working conditions) haha
when you ask the waiter for recommendations, make sure you think twice about anything they offer from the specials menu! But otherwise, good practice – keep eating well NQN!
I go with what I like most, and also what is good value for money
You are so lucky to dine as a guest and have Lobster AND Steak. I’m so jealous. I’ve never had lobster… but I adore crab and moreton bay bugs.
Ah Manta ,I must go again as seeing the dishes brought back good memories of our last meal there, very delicious indeed!It’s a beautiful part of Sydney, it’s wonderful sitting and soaking up the sunshine , watching and being watched by passers by. Generally,I tend to ask a waiter’s advice only if everything looks tempting on the menu and I can’t make up my mind, otherwise I generally order myself.
That was an incredible meal! The beautifully fresh raw platter looks great.
Ooh yes, good stuff going during the day because that wharf is really really dark at night! Oh the lobster and the bone marrow look divine! Though I can imagine that lobster would have been pretty stressed out hehe.
That lobster looks fake, like one of those plastic toys! Looks like a delicious meal! I always like to ask for waiter recommendations, I feel like I’m getting insider tips. hehe
Wow that was a totally impressive meal. My mouth is watering just looking at it.
I dont usually ask for the waiters recommendations, but I may just have to start.
i feel so hungry now. so decadent! mmmmm. steak and lobsterrrrrrr.
I’m drooling!
I’m not much of a seafood fan but I think that lobster could beckon me over to the dark side……Mmmmmmm!
Wow, that lobster!!! He’s the king of the sea! Huge. What a fabulous meal.
I am the same with winter nights, especially when we were living in Canberra – winter night are freezing, literally!
I love the Coffin Bay Pacifics, a friend of mine’s parents have an oyster lease there.
It all looks totally delicious! The seafood would be perfect for a summer lunch with the girls with some nice wine!
That meal looks more than incredible. I want the steak and lobster NOW. i love the look of the roasted marrow.
You are so lucky to get to go there as a guest. Lucky, lucky, lucky….
that lobster looks AMAZING!!!
Wow I was gobsmacked at the raw platter. Then I scrolled down and saw the steak and lobster and had to wipe the drool off my keyboard – too awesome
Oh wow. That all looks amazing….
Love bone marrow
I’m such a carnivore.
Oh this looks like a divine meal!!! The freshness of the seafood is illuminated in the dishes and that steak looks so heartily good!
And here’s me thinking you won that $44m Pools thingy the other night!
“NQN and Mr NQN dined as guests of Manta Restaurant.”
Nice work, guys
Wooow!!! That steak and lobster look incredible!
YUM
Also interesting to see the different types of oysters. I can confirm from looking at your photo that the ones we had in Ballarat were Pacific oysters. Very creamy indeed.
I can’t say I’ve ever asked for a waiters recommendation – I might start!
That lobster did look delicious. I have to say though, I prefer my crayfish (as we Kiwis are more used to) simply cooked and served. I’ve never liked eating it warm or with any kind of sauce – call me simplistic!
The ocean trout tartare looks great too.
Best meal I had was at a restaurant in Bangkok “The Seven Seas” which was recommended in the SMH by David Thompson as his fave Thai restaurant in the world at that time. We just told the waiter to bring us food. He did, and it was sublime. I can still taste the crispy catfish salad after 13 years. In a great restaurant – definitely trust the waiter!
What a gorgeous meal, especially the raw platter! I sometimes forget how terribly expensive lobster can be, having grown up in the heart of Western Rock Lobster land and having a generous Dad who sometimes sneaks one into my esky when I’m leaving their house.
I tend to only ask the waiter for their opinion if I’m torn between dishes, and I don’t think I’ve ever been unhappy with their recommendation. (Mind you, I asked a waiter once whether I should have the smoked salmon or the duck pizza, and after she admitted to not being a seafood fan I dismissed her judgement!)
What a lobster!! And that steak…gosh I need some red meat for lunch…mmm…
Nevermind the lobster….I want the marrow! I’ve never seen marrow being served, but I have with lobster
The raw platter and the lobster looked very inviting indeed. I was one of those people elbowing others when I saw the photo and looking on lustfully. Lucky thing – all these very nice meals!
Ooooh, the oysters, scallops and chips have me salivating. I like to choose my own dish, but if there are 2 things I can’t decide between, I will ask for an opinion on those.
Ooooer ~ looks really fresh! Looks like a great place to take my family for a nice lunch out…( just got to save up the mulah first I think
) Thank you for sharing and as always, your blog is delightful to read and drool over! My preference for waiter’s advise, is to suss out whether the waiter is ‘cluey’ or not ( some just recommend the most expensive dishes) whereas I appreciate those who really ask what your preference is and go out of their way to recommend not just the most expensive, but the freshest and personal favourites… I like that 
x
All the dishes look amazing! A meal by the wharf, good food, good views and sunshine…ah, that’s the life.
Usually if I’m eating at a restaurant that is outside my circle of usual haunts then there’s more of a chance that I’ll ask the waiter, depends on the vibe I get from them too. I’m so glad I chose all the dishes the waiter suggested at Uighur Cuisine last night because we had a fantastic meal!
The food looks simply AMAZING! Especially the surf and turf – definitely the most classy one I’ve ever seen
I tend to make my own decisions when ordering – studying psychology at uni has taught me that waitstaff aren’t always on the customer’s side…
i love Lobster! mmmmmmmmmmm
foodus bloggerus? i’m so stealing that.
and while the eats at manta look good, i daresay nothing could look better than that baklava. good lord above.
I think I would go there and only order the Angel Chips – they look like the best ever chips this side of heaven. Lobster – meh – not my favourite meat, crab is more flavourful but carbs fried in fat, aaahhhh!
What a gorgeous surf and turf spread! Absolutely stunning photos! I agree, asking for the waiter’s suggestions and/or chef’s specials are an excellent idea!
OMMGG you are soo luuckkkyy!! Everything looks sooo good there! Yummmmmm
but srsly.. I am sure you could had done dessert
This post is making me crave some oysters! I haven’t had any for awhile! Thanks for reminding me!
Hi Carol-LOL I agree!
Hi Lex-Ahh that is great to know! Yes I can imagine it would be great for patrons, but difficult for the kitchen. Yes I don’t tend to order from the Specials menu as that changes a lot and readers can’t get to try it. Thanks, good to know!
Hi Tara-I felt vey lucky that day. Hubby and I were totally blissed out that afternoon! Lobster is divine-if you do get the chance I throughly recommend it.
Hi Matilda-It’s glorious isn’t it! Such a quinessential Sydney experience really
Yes that’s true, if I know what I want I won’t ask! 
Hi lisa-Indeed!
The raw platter was divine, absolutely divine 
Hi Steph-Yes and it gets really cold I’d imagine being so close to the water! Hehe poor lobster but they taste so good!
Hi Betty-Haha I assure you he was not!
I figure most of htem have tried everything or at least know which dishes return uneaten 
Hi sandra-It was indeed! If you are stuck on what to order it’s not a bad idea but as Lex said above, stay away from specials. They’re sometimes things the kitchen has to clear.
Hi holly-Hehe me too when I see these photos! You can’t beat steak and lobster
Hi Gillian -haha yes the dark side!
This one definitely could 
Hi The Duo Dishes-He definitely is and he wanted to return there!
Hi Gab-They are so cold! But days when sunny are gorgeous
Ahh lucky them! Yep totally a lunch wiht the girl place!
Hi Vita-Oh yes hubby didn’t want his bone marrow so I had it
I am definitely lucky to be invited 
Hi Melissa-It was fantastic!
Hi Mr Taste-hehe yes I was the same when I received them!
Hi Minou-Yup me too! I could never give up meat
I’ve tried but couldn’t!
Hi Trisha-It was fantastic. Yes the really do emphasise fresh here which is wonderful
Hi Johnny-Haha I wish although this would be a fitting celebration if one did!
Thanks 
Hi Esz-it was amazing and quite the attention grabber
They’re so nice and creamy aren’t they!
Hi Megan-I do if I am stuck what to order but many times I’ll have reserached the place so I know what to order
Ah yes the NZ way of eating it! Nothing wrong with that! 
Hi Ellen-Oh that sounds like a wonderful experience! *sigh* I’ve done that a few times (most recently at Emmilou) and was rewarded duly
Hi Conor-It was! Yes it can be very expensive here. Oh you are so lucky! Ah yes although I suppose it was good that she said she didn’t like it instead of just steering you one way!
Hi Alexandra-Good idea!
Hi Brenda-I gravitated towrds that dish as it had marrow and I love marrow!
Hi Forager-Haha it caused quite a sensation! I felt vey lucky indeed!
Hi Cakelaw-Yes that’s a good idea!
Hi Eve-Hehe yes saving up is a good idea although I’m sure everyone will be so impressed
Yes that is a good idea! Yes those that really think about it are definitely good waiters. 
x
Hi jess-Yes life doens’t get much better does it
Hi Jacq-It has probably ruined me for all surf and turfs now
Ahh I stuided it too! Tell me more! 
Hi Simon-Great!
Hi grace-Totally, go ahead!
Aww you are too kind! x
Hi Moya-Hehe they’d go well with their oysters! Haha fried carbs get you every time?
Hi Faith-It was amazing
Thanks! It has helped when we can’t decide.
Hi FFichiban-I am! No way, even by bottomless husband couldn’t do it
Hi The Food Addicts-Oh wonderful! And isn’t it great that oysters are good for you too!
That surf n turf looks sublime! I would love to try tha out!
Hi ArtemisIII-It was great, although it has probably spoiled me for all “surf n turfs”
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