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Livebait
Ph: (03) 9642 1500; 55b New Quay Promenade, DOCKLANDS 3008 www.livebait.com.au
Contemporary / seafood, $$ +
Open 7 days noon-3pm, 6-11pm; Licensed; AE DC MC V, Seats inside 110, Outside seats, Kids welcomed
Chef John Mcleay (7-11-07) Owner Oath Claringbold & Damian Trytell (7-11-07)
Mietta's Review
From the team that bring us Mecca and Meccah Bah, comes Livebait the fish and seafood arm of the operation. Its setting is the second floor of one of two peaks (just upstairs from Meccah Bah) at the New Quay Promenade at Dockland and commands some of the best views going. The room is minimally decorated allowing the Bolte Bridge and the city's high-rise landscape to feature picture perfect from the balcony. The menu is Spanish inspired and offers lots of choice-pastas, paella, grilled fish with your choice of salad. Whilst the service is warm and friendly, in winter the restaurant tends to be cold, and where on occasion a meal here can be excellent other times it boarders on being barely fine. It is still early days and given the calibre of its sister restaurants sure to reach great heights.
Other published opinions
Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 14/20 "Plato believed pleasure was the bait of sin. Perhaps, in a largely seafood-dining context, that bait might translate to three courses - at least if you're at this indulgent waterfront noshery, anyway"
Herald Sun Eat, Bob Hart, 9-06-07 "Livebait - that handsome and view-friendly structure of metal and glass that was one of the first to open at Docklands, delivering a culinary promise that, sadly, has not always been kept elsewhere in the precinct. Docklands is busy, but still does not quite feel lived in. And though the prevailing winds may not quite blow a dog off the proverbial chain, ... My mate and I, however, were out of the reach of such things behind the glass - warm, comfortably seated and at peace with the world. The food we had ordered, before long, began to contribute to this pleasant state of affairs."
The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 13/20 "Livebait is one of the Docklands' gems, its elevated position providing unimpeded views of Victoria Harbour and the Boite Bridge from many tables. Diners make their way to the restaurant up a spiral staircase decorated with oyster shells; the interior fitout is similarly maritime, with blues, greens and aquas dominating."
The Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 13/20 "UPSTAIRS from sister-ship Mecca Bah, Livebait feels like a glass space station, especially at night, when starry views of the city and futuristic New Quay are reflected on the water. The food, however, is very down-to-earth. It's all about simple, sunny Mediterranean seafood, with a particular nod to the Iberian Peninsula. "
The Age, A2, 29/5/04,John Weldon,'When booking a table at Livebait I mentioned a two-year-old would be included in the party,"No problem," was the reply."Will she require a high chair or is she past that stage?" Such awareness is not unique,but is always a welcome surprise.'
AGFG 2004, score 14/20
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004,'southern Mediterranean seafood in an informal-yet special-environment...The flavours are bold, rustic and, at times, a little obvious...It's all easy to like, but the location and views come ar a price.Service can be variable, however the wine list is well matched to the food style.'
Vogue Entertaining & Traveller, March April 2003
The Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, 30/3/03, Dani Valent
SMH, Good Living, 25/3/03, Matthew Evans
Herald Sun, weekend, eat, 25/1/03, Simon Plant
Herald Sun, 25/1/03, Craig Sherborne.
Liquid-Bar Culture & Beyond, Winter Edition 2003
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