Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
some interesting tastes such as corned buffalo silverside. Some of the dishes have
an Asian twist, and local fare includes kangaroo filet, Humpty Doo barramundi,
or local shell scallops—try them sizzled in lime zest chile butter, with a mari-
nated green papaw salad. Get there in time to watch the sun set.
Alec Fong Lim Dr., East Point Reserve (4km/2
1
⁄
2
miles from town).
&
08/8981 6868.
Reservations recom-
mended. Main courses A$20-A$32 (US$13-US$21). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 5pm-late and for lunch May-Oct
only. Free parking. A cab fare from the city is about A$15 (US$9.75) or you can catch the 24-hr. shuttle bus.
MODERATE
Shenanigan's Irish Pub, Restaurant & Bar
IRISH PUB FARE Hearty
Irish stews and braised beef and Guinness pies (plus the odd pint of Guinness
itself ) gets everyone in the mood for eating, talking, and dancing at this
convivial bar/restaurant. A friendly mix of solo travelers, families, seniors, and
backpackers eat and drink in atmospheric wooden booths, standing up at bar
tables, or by the fire. As well as hearty meat dishes, there is lighter stuff like
salmon salad or vegetarian brochettes, and nightly specials, such as chicken and
chile pasta or poached barramundi in white-wine sauce with fries and salad. Live
bands on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
69 Mitchell St. at Peel St.
&
08/8981 2100.
Reservations recommended. Daily specials A$9.50-A$14
(US$6.15-US$9.10). Main courses A$12-A$24 (US$7.80-US$16). AE, DC, MC, V. Weekdays 10am-2am; from
11am weekends.
INEXPENSIVE
Tim's Surf 'n' Turf
STEAK/SEAFOOD Locals fairly bash down
the door to get into this unpretentious restaurant under a cheap motel on the city
fringe. The surroundings are not the attraction, so what is? Hearty, no-nonsense
food cooked well, and served in portions big enough to feed an army. No namby-
pamby steaks here—Tim's are monsters up to 700 grams (25
1
⁄
2
oz.), over an inch
thick, and grain-fed (a boon in Australia, where the beef is mostly grass-fed and
a little chewy). Garlic prawns, crocodile schnitzel, lasagna, oysters, quiche, and
roast of the day are typical menu items. There are meals for kids, who eat free
before 6:30pm (one kid for every adult in the party). You'll get a complimentary
port after dinner and free ice cream for dessert.
In the Asti Motel, Smith St. at Packard Place.
&
08/8981 9979.
Main courses A$7-A$21 (US$4.55-US$14)
(many dishes around A$12/US$7.80); seafood platter for 2 A$35 (US$23); crocodile from A$13 (US$8.40).
AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 7-9am, noon-2pm, and 5:30-9:30pm. Bus: 4 or 6; bus stop within 100m (328 ft.).
DARWIN AFTER DARK
Lie back in a deck chair at the
Deckchair Cinema
(
&
08/8981 0700;
www.
deckchaircinema.com) to watch Aussie hits, foreign films, and cult classics
Value
Kids
Lizards & Sunsets
A good spot to catch Darwin's Technicolor sunsets is the supercasual
Dar-
win Sailing Club,
Atkins Drive on Fannie Bay (
&
08/8981 1700
). Ask the
manager to sign you in. Dine on affordable meals outdoors while a fam-
ily of goannas (monitor lizards) swirls around your feet looking for meaty
scraps. The bar is open from 10am until midnight, and until 2am Friday
and Saturday. The cafes and restaurants of
Cullen Bay Marina
are a good
place to be day or night, but especially for dry season sunsets. If it's Thurs-
day, you are mad to be anywhere except the
Mindil Beach Sunset Mar-
kets
Moments
(see “Cheap Eats & More!” above).
