Flying Fish Cafe

Last week on Postcards we looked at Port Elliott, where the holiday sunseekers more than double the population of the historic port. Although Horseshoe Bay appears to be one of the most idyllic in South Australia - it has a violent past. During its days as a port, 7 ships sank in the bay. The last was "The Flying Fish" which was lost 138 years ago. A local named Agen Dent swam out to the stricken vessel with a rope which saved the lives of the crew. As a result, the Flying Fish is used as the name for the Port Elliott Surf Lifesaving Brigade and by the new look-old kiosk. "When I said to someone that we were going to name the cafe after the last ship that sank in the Bay, they said that it didn't auger well...I said, it sank this won't!" Nigel Catt is the re-creator of the Cafe. His day job is winemaker at nearby Middleton Winery and it was a day at the beach with his family that led to the creation of the Flying Fish. "I brought my daughter to the beach as a one year old to swim and I looked back at the kiosk and thought it was a sleeping giant. I drew a plan in the sand with an idea of what I wanted to do with it and it's been great to see it turn into what it should be."

The Flying Fish has been built using timbers from the old Port Adelaide Wool Stores, It's decorated with malibu menu boards and a colley of old tennis racquets - a legacy of Nigel's sporting past. The Cafe is open and casual. The smell of the salt air mixes with the wafts of the kitchen. The chef's are experienced and creative. Using the obvious seaside reference - five types of fish and chips are available plus dishes such as marinated octopus and Thai style crab meat. They smoke their own meats and make their own bread. The emphasis is on using local produce which includes the boss's wines. The old kiosk still exists for ice cream and the cafe attached is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served on weekends and public holidays. For more information you can phone the cafe on 08 8554 3504 or email: info@postcards.sa.com.au