The Oyster Bar @ David Jones Foodhall

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Posted 2013-01-05 by Justine Crowley ⇒ follow

A scrumptious mini feast of fresh seafood delights. Not something you do everyday, yet when you're in the mood to treat yourself, The Oyster Bar at the David Jones Foodhall in the city is utterly delightful. There is an emerging trend: many Sydneysiders love to come into the David Jones foodhalls and enjoy their lunch, and after tasting some fresh seafood, you might begin to understand why.

At times The Oyster Bar is relatively busy, while at other times the experience is utterly peaceful while The Noodle Bar next door is rather busy. A word of warning: the price tag at David Jones' Moet and Chandon Oyster Bar does not come cheap, yet you won't have any more fresh seafood cravings for another while. It's all about the quality. It is great to come here and enjoy your lunch just before doing a bit of shopping, and that way you will feel fantastic and in a brighter mood.

Come here feeling good, and leave The Oyster Bar feeling great. The ideal time to come here is from around 11:45am to around 12:30pm, otherwise you might not get to enjoy the scrumptious food in your desired lunch spot. The setting of high chairs at a bar make it social food at its best. It is okay to come here alone or with someone else. If you have ever been to Harrods at London's Knightsbridge, the seating arrangements are exclusive and similar to eating lunch there. Champagne flutes and wine glasses hang above you.

I was eagerly greeted by my host Alice, and it was also nice to see the chef prepare my food in front of my very eyes. For starters, a glass of Moet and Chandon ($24.95 for one flute) was an awesome appetiser that went with my lunch. Alice opened up a fresh bottle, and that popping sound is ever so pleasant, especially when you know that the first drop coming out will be yours, and when it's French champagne such as Moet and Chandon. Alice poured my glass in front of me, while the chef was starting to prepare my Seafood Plate of Prawns, Natural Oysters, Smoked Salmon and Crab ($34.95) with fresh green salad and oyster sauce. Prior to my main meal arriving, I was treated to a complimentary piece of wholemeal bread. I was given my own pepper grinder so I could top up my dish with pepper when required.

Despite the number of different elements to the dish, the presentation was just right and the platter did not look overly busy. The crab meat was surprisingly filling. It was tucked away underneath the vibrant green lettuce that also tasted fresh and recently washed, along with a couple of onion pieces. So far so awesome, the seafood was fresh. Taking an oyster out of a shell reigns supreme, and they were cool, flavoursome and fresh. There is no need to dip into the sauce, unless you really want to. The sauce serving was just right, and the most tangy lemon wedges were provided. The latter turned out to be dandy as the lemon blended in nicely with every component of the dish, especially the salmon.

This dish came with three oysters, and three generous king prawns with raw smoked salmon (no different to sashimi), crab meat and salad with a variety of different lettuce cuts. The prawns here were some of the freshest prawns I have tasted in a long time, easily comparable with king prawns served at any top five-star hotel in the city. It was a minor pity that I was not given a bowl of water with a lemon wedge to soak my hands in after handling and peeling the prawns. I noticed another customer asking for this. Will keep that in mind for next time. Usually when I enjoy some prawns somewhere, I get this refreshment for my hands without even needing to ask for it.

The glass of Moet and Chandon blended in beautifully with this fresh seafood. If you're not a white wine drinker, go for a quality flute of champagne with your seafood. The salmon was thick, tasty, filling and most of all really fresh. There was one bone that I needed to debone with my fork. I could not have asked for a more generous serving of salmon.

This dish (when eaten with finesse) can take about 30-40 minutes to fully devour and enjoy. It does not matter, there is no rush, you only live once. If caviar and any of Tetsuya's dishes take your fancy, you can also order them here too. It's a seafood lovers and fine food eaters paradise.

Delightful, mature service was enjoyed. It really does not feel like you're enjoying a fresh, cold seafood lunch in a busy, noisy foodhall. You're in your own little world for a little while. Worth it once in a while to treat yourself.