The Grand Pacific Hotel and Bistro - Photos by Tricia Ziemer
When I come to the seaside, I want to sample all the freshest seafood available in the area. So when I went to he seaside resort at Lorne, Victoria recently, I went in search of prawns, lobster, and Morton Bay bugs. And I found them at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The Grand Pacific has both accommodation and a restaurant. It was built in 1875 and then fully restored. And it is lovely.
It looked delightful from the outside and the front courtyard looked the perfect summer spot for having drinks with friends.
Courtyard for nibbles and drinks with friends
This place had a wonderful ambience. I had a lovely table with a view to the water in a sunny little bistro that had the lovely feel of the Victorian era. The view was stunning over the water.
Lovely sunny bistro warm on a winters day - All Photos by Tricia Ziemer
It also had a lovely playroom for the children, so parents could eat and chat while the kids play. Always a plus for eating and chatting with friends with fewer interruptions.
Service was attentive and welcoming and they were willing to provide the seafood platter for one, not two, at market price.
Seafood Platter looks stunning but disappointing
When it came out it looked stunning and the smells were divine.
The two types of prawns were delicious; big fat juicy king prawns and light garlic butter baby prawns. Sauces and salad complemented each other beautifully and very fresh and crisp. The scallops were lovely and plump. And the fries were perfectly seasoned and fresh and hot.
The fresh oysters arriving at the next table looked divine as well.
I was so looking forward to the fresh lobster, as I stripped it from the shell and cracked and sucked it out of the claw. And then the anticipation of comparing it to the more delicate flavour of moist Morton Bay bug as well.
Courtyard with lovely water views
However, this is the extremely sad bit. There was no lobster in the lobster, not even the claws, and little to no meat in the Morton Bay bugs either. The claws had been pre cracked and the meat had been removed. I assume they are using it for another dish, but I paid for a half a lobster, which I did not get.
The had taken the meat out, grilled it with spices and then put less than a 30% of it back in the shell. It was dry and there was not even one full mouthful of lobster or bug meat.
This was market value which was $150 for two people at the time. It was generous in the servings, but I cannot recommend this seafood platter for that price. When I order lobster and pay top dollar, I expect all the lobster. I assume you would too.
Don't cross if off your list for other menu items looked yummy, but find another place for lobster.
