Wharf Rd Restaurant & Bar

Come flee the highway and its traffic snarls and wind down to the river where kayaks and row boats slap against the waves. The only sign of traffic here is the rumbling iron bridge outside. Wharf Rd is airy and light, white woods and natural boards, nautical lamps and louvres with a dual menu theme: South American and meat. Get grazing on ceviche, served on a pink salt brick, with tiny pops of toasted quinoa; fish tacos - fried fillets with salsa and mayo on soft flour tortillas; alpaca skewers - minced, lightly spiced with chimichurri and salsa criolla (tomato/onion); or smooth baja guacamole with a smoky chipotle tang. Lots of people are having steak, with all the condiments. Only a mushroom paella missed the mark - too chewy, no crust, puddled with goat’s cheese. But a super-seasonal salad of quinoa, peas, asparagus, beans, radish and radicchio curled with pea shoot tendrils is pure summer sweetness.

And ... Local wagyu and alpaca on the menu.

THE LOW-DOWN
Vibe Let’s go down to the river.
Best bit Marvellous meat, fresh-produce focus.
Worst bit Heading back to the highway.