Ripples Seafood & BBQ Restaurant

One night, in the only somewhat distant past, The Beloved and I went to an art exhibition’s opening night.  The paintings and sculptures were a dynamic and diverse sampling of Melbourne’s women artists (including The Beloved’s mum).  The food at the exhibition, in stark contrast to the fine quality of the art, left rather a lot to be desired.  So, with slightly rumbling tummies, we left and started our journey home, deciding we would stop at the first place that caught our eye as we headed north on Glenferrie Rd.

That place happened to be Ripples Seafood and BBQ Restaurant.  It was a Wednesday night, around 8:30/9:00pm and the large restaurant was more than half full.  A good sign, but that wasn’t what attracted us though, it was the array of roast ducks and roast pork in the window.  Without hesitating we went in.  After being greeted warmly we were seated at a table, simply laden with white cloth and soy sauce, in the middle of the room.

That’s okay, we don’t mind the middle.  The space between us and the next table though… it was, well, it would be an understatement to say it wasn’t generous.  Even the most emaciated Hollywood starlet would need to squeeze through.

With our dining neighbours in such close proximity and the rumbles from our stomachs gaining in both frequency and volume we got straight to the business of ordering.   We chose a seafood dish and a bbq dish.  Whether this is because that is what is touted in the name.  Or because we had a good view of the long line of tanks boasting quite a tempting array of crabs, fish and molluscs.

Or rather that I saw a plate piled high with the mouth watering roast duck that danced in the window go to another table and did not want to end up with food envy I am not completely sure. Regardless of the reason, they ended up being good choices from a menu of mostly Cantonese suburban staples.

We had the Mixed Roast (2 kinds) $18.80 and chose duck and pork.  It was succulent and the skin was crispy.  Just want you want from a tried and true favourite.

Next the Seafood and Vegetable in Hot Pot $22.80 which came to the table bubbling away in its pot.  The dish had a good balance of seafood to vegetable and had nice clean flavours.

The obligatory Chinese Tea accompanied our meal

And very quaint slices of orange were served at the end of the meal.

The dining room is nothing to get excited about, nor is the service, but we will return.  The food was honest and tasty and uncomplicated.  Good for a mid-week option.