Sammys on the Marina (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
is one of those places along the Marina Pier that offers their customers with a relaxed dining experience in the fanciest form possible. While it may be cleverly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Moseley Square precinct, it makes the wander down the Pier so worth it. With their impeccable modern and contemporary dining area that provides customers with a 270° view of the beach and the Marina,
Sammy's is the ideal location to have a romantic date, to have a celebratory feast with friends and/or family, or to simply enjoy some delicious cocktails by the sea! The fresh sea-breeze enveloping the space in their outdoor areas (especially the roof terrace) adds to the paradise-like ambience that is created, thanks to their location and the excellent options of seafood on their menu.
Upstairs private dining area (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
I visited
Sammy's for the first time a couple of nights ago and after the experience, I couldn't help but be left stunned at the beautiful sunset that lit the upstairs private dining area and roof terrace in a golden glow. While I got there a bit earlier, I sat outside and was able to spot a dolphin, who even did a couple of flips and poked its cute nose out of the water!
Downstairs outdoor dining area (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
Welcoming us to their establishment, guests were treated to the aromatic drops of wine by Pikes Wines and The Lane Vineyard, and having personally tried both wines, they proved to be the perfect, fitting drink(s) to enjoy the view of the sunset and the fairy floss sky that took form, as the evening progressed. There was a moment where, among the guests pouring into the upstairs dining area, there was a calming moment of stillness that was enjoyed whilst sitting by the window and taking in the breathtaking view of the ocean.
Pikes Wines and The Lane Vineyard Wines (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
Reflecting with the changes in the seasons in Adelaide,
Sammy's's menu replicates the mood and vibe of nature through their selection of dishes that are all about simplicity with a touch of traditional twists that make an otherwise ordinary dish stand out for their unique combination of ingredients and flavours.
Upstairs function dining area (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
Kicking off the feast, we were treated to bite-sized pieces of
salmon cucumber, which was drizzled with freshly squeezed lemon. A brilliant taster that may have been small-sized (but was consumed in multiple quantities), the salmon cucumber offered a wave of freshness from the thinly sliced and tender pieces of salmon, which were complemented by the crunchiness of a freshly cut cucumber slice.
Salmon cucumber (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
We also saw the
Trio of Dips make an appearance, which came with flat pita bread and a playful and colourful combination of sundried tomato, cheese, and beetroot. Another fantastic option of a dish to enjoy with friends, before the grand feast of seafood goodness that followed!
A trio of dips (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
Accompanying the meals, we also had
crispy garlic & herb butter bread, which was a great appetizer to enjoy with a glass of wine in your hand - the bread had crispy crusts with a soft and juicy (not oily) core and were best enjoyed fresh and warm!
Garlic bread (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
Next, we saw an array of dishes make their way to the centre table. Among the sea (pun intended) of dishes that graced the table, we were treated to a variety of oysters. If you've been following my writing journey for a while, then you'll know that I always tend to hesitate with oyster dishes. Don't get me wrong - I love them and devour them in plenty of amounts. However, there's always the initial hesitation of actually going for it! Luckily, the oysters looked inviting and with a selection of
natural oysters, Kilpatrick oysters, Caviar oysters, lemon thyme-flavoured beer battered oysters, and sesame seaweed salad and chilli balsamic oysters, we knew that we were in for a party of flavours through this diverse range of options.
Natural oysters (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
The
natural oysters were a big hit and titillated my tastebuds with its seawater freshness. The
caviar oysters were ones that I was very eager to try (primarily because I had never tasted caviar before this night!) and while I was sceptical on whether I'd be a fan...surprise, surprise! I'm a big fan!
Caviar oysters (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
The
Kilpatrick oysters almost made me forget that I was having oysters - the sauce that it was served in was scrumptious and had a juicy taste that almost offset the texture of the oysters, without compromising on its taste.
Kilpatrick oysters (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
The
beer battered oyster with lemon thyme was another palate pleaser that accentuated the citrus content and made the crunchy exterior blend effortlessly with the juicy meat within.
Enjoy the oysters with a glass of either Sparkling Clover Hill Cuvée or Wilson Polish Hill River Riesling
Lemon thyme-flavored beer battered oyster (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
We also saw the
garlic prawns make their way to the table. Prawns are a dish that can be hit and miss with me, but add a touch of garlic and you'll have me sold! Tossed in a white wine and garlic cream sauce, the prawns were served with a side of Kaffir lime pilaf rice and almost reminded me of an Asian fusion dish with a modern twist. The flavours of the garlic added to the meat of the prawns and the creamy note proved this dish to be a fantastic option for those who may still be looking for a way to appreciate seriously good seafood!
Enjoy the garlic prawns with a glass of Pikes 'Traditionale' Riesling (Clare Valley SA).
Garlic prawns (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
Then, what came next was one that caught our eyes for its eloquent and fun presentation. A
bucket of SA King prawns delivered with succulent and generously-sized king prawn meat that was served with a side of seafood sauce and a wedge of fresh lemon. The prawn meat was particularly delightful to enjoy with a soft squeeze of lemon over the meat, although my friend couldn't stop raving about the seafood sauce - so, it was a win-win either way! This is quite a filling dish, so I'd highly recommend sharing it with a couple of friends!
Enjoy the bucket of SA King prawns with a glass of The Lane Vineyard 'Block 10' Sauvignon Blanc (Adelaide Hills, SA)
Bucket of SA King Prawns (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
One of the best dishes to come out was the
Boston Bay Mussel Pot . A beasty-looking dish, the whole black mussels are presented in a sizeable black pot and can be steamed to inject flavours of 1)tomato and basil, 2)laksa sauce, or 3)creamy garlic sauce with a side of crispy bread. It can be quite an intimidating dish, but don't be shy and pick the shells apart to enjoy the juicy meats hiding within. Again, I lost count of how many shells I got through, because just like a bowl of chips, once you start, you won't be able to stop!
Enjoy the Boston Bay Mussel Pot with a glass of Giesen Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough NZ).
Boston Bay Mussel Pot (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
The
spiced buttermilk barramundi was one of the dishes that surprised me greatly on the night. I had never really thought of the Indian traditional dish 'dhaal' being served with a thick serve of barramundi and I wasn't sure if it would work. However, my recent cravings for the lentil dish were thoroughly satisfied through this mouthwatering combination. Served with a side of crunchy pappadum, this was one of my favourite meals of the night and I'd go as far to say that I would have ordered the entire meal for myself if I could!
Enjoy the spiced buttermilk barramundi with a glass of The Lane Vineyard 'Block 1A' Chardonnay (Adelaide Hills SA).
Spiced Barramundi (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
The
deluxe platter is an impressive looking dish that can be enjoyed by die-hard seafood lovers and novices of seafood cuisine alike. A brilliant dish that offers customers with a taste of everything, the deluxe platter comes with the Northern Territory mud crab that is an experience in itself (in terms of getting the meat out of the shell) and is a fantastic Winter pleaser thanks to the chill sauce that adds a level of spiciness to the meat, the grilled skewered prawns that have a smoky taste and a juicy texture, the battered whiting that has a subtle fishy taste flowing through its meat that is effortlessly broken after cutting into the crispy outer layer, the Moreton Bay bugs that are so much fun to dig into and enjoy the succulent meat in the shells, the fresh king prawns that explode with flavour that are reminiscent of being freshly plucked from the ocean, the juicy natural oysters, the perfectly-grilled scallops, my personal favourite - calamari - which comes in two types - salt and pepper and crumbed - and is served with a side of chips and green vegetables.
Enjoy the deluxe platter with a glass of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV (Reims FR)
Deluxe platter (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
also regularly hosts local vineyards such as
Seppeltsfield and
Wilson Vineyard, who have helped with pairing their menu meals with the perfect drops to elevate the luxurious dining and wining experience at their establishment. They are currently in the process of bringing in the delicious
"Beauty and the Beast" premium drops from
Hentley Farm Wines on
August 9, 2019, so if you decide to go on their special night, make sure you
mention that you found out about the event from Weekend Notes and you might just score a special discount on the night!
While the best time to visit
Sammy's would obviously be around the sunset time, a visit to the establishment at any time of the day will instantly uplift and invigorate your mind, body, soul, (and tummy!) with their hearty meals, their picturesque views, and their exquisite selection of wines. The menu is brimming with a ton of locally sourced food and wine options, so you can be rest assured that you'll be spending your money on a feast that ticks all the boxes for presentation, taste, and quality.
Given the popularity of this restaurant,
bookings are essential. So, make a reservation, grab a table, and let the hospitable staff of
Sammy's give you a dining and wining experience, whilst enjoying a view that will leave you speechless for all the right reasons!
A glass of sparkling with a stunning sunset view (photo by Fatema Sitabkhan)
