Once upon a time it took 6 months for Robbo's to receive his birthday present from me. It wasn't my fault of course. It took the artist ages to find new printer. The framed print now looks over our dining table. Recently we celebrated Merren and Faith's birthday at Mr Moustache. One month late.  I see a theme.

I wasn't going to upload this post. March into Merivale obviously ends in March so what's the point? Wrong! March into Merivale runs through to 11 April - giving you 9 more days to make the most of the meal deals. Grab a drink and 1-2 courses for lunch or dinner Mon-Fri for only $33 in Merivale's pubs and restaurants. Always down for a bargain I suggested the Fish Shop in Potts Point for a girly catch-up one Thursday. 

There's lots of sea paraphernalia and distressed wood happening in the ex-Lotus site. Merivale's official description is "Inspired by Cape Cod, The Hamptons, Nantucket, imagine a white-washed slice of classic seaside Americana". It does feel like that but definitely more casual than a Hamptons soiree in Revenge.

The tomato sauce bottle has me reminiscing about walks to the fush and chup shop opposite our primary school in NZ. My memory is hazy but I'm sure we could get a tall milkshake, fish, chips maybe a hotdog too for less than a tenner. The best way to eat the deep-fried goods was to stuff the newspaper wrapped bundle in my jumper, rip the top of the package and tuck in. Look Ma no hands!  I could never find a store=bought version of the luminescent sweet tomato sauce.

Taking inflation into account $10 in the 90's is probably about $33 in 2014 right? At the Fish Shop $33 gets you two courses and a glass of wine or beer. Everyone on the meal deal goes for the scallops in garlic butter and lime. I wished scallops grew into the size of dinner plates.

Meal deal mains are either a salmon nicoise or grilled ocean jacket. I'm not keen on having a salad for dinner so go for the ocean jacket get envy when the nicoise comes out. It's so pretty and what a huge hunk of salmon! The ocean jacket is a big meaty fish which has a good bit of salty sea flavour. It's served simples with grilled tomatoes and zuchinni, it's all it needs.

If I didn't get the meal deal I would've chosen the fish burger - it has bacon and chilli! Perfect for our bacon-loving pescatarian. At $19 for a fish burger and chips it's on the exxy side.

Lady Tittington goes for the Blue Eye but cooked in the style of another dish that I can't remember. It's served with a delicate beetroot gratin-like thingy on top.

All the ladies enjoy their fishy meal and I want to go back to see how good their fish and chips are. Also I'm mad keen to see how good Dan Hong's famous cheeseburger really is.  Voted one of the best 10 burgers in Sydney, it must be a stunner.  The Fish Shop also does a steak for your seafood haters out there.

http://merivale.com.au/thefishshop