Toowong Fish Market — Restaurant in Brisbane City

Aggressive Manager

I have been a regular customer since this business opened and have gotten everything from octopus, to prawns and oysters, but most regularly sashimi grade salmon from them and been happy every time.

Except yesterday, when the sashimi salmon my husband bought tasted slightly less than fresh when I ate some last night. It was by no means “off” but neither was it good/ fresh enough.

I took the remainder back this afternoon, expecting either a straight swap for a new tray or a refund if they didn’t have any more (given today is Sunday).

The Manager argued with me, sniffed the salmon, grabbed a piece with his fingers and ate it in order to… what? Show me I was wrong? As if him declaring it was “FINE” was suddenly going to make me realise I was incorrect and override my tastebuds. I have been eating (and enjoying) sashimi salmon for 35 years and instead of patronising me and being aggressive, the manager could have had a decent conversation.

He grudgingly refunded me $10 of the $18 price, so all that aggro was over $8.

A shame that as a previous supporter of this local business, I have been left with such a bad taste in my mouth (pun intended) over this man’s ego and $8.

Don’t go there, folks. Doesn’t deserve our local...

The day manager probably knows his stuff. The helpers so be it, are probably still learning.

I wanted giant sashimi surf clam, but they don't always thaw them and he was nice enough to say not sashimi level..... bah!

Prices a bit over the top. Telling me the most expensive prawn is the best because it's freshest is BS. I paid and tried 2 of each. The medium priced tiger was the winner. Full robust umami sweetness.

Do yourself a favour and try one of each first. Avoid disappointment. Unfortunately no freebie tests for even 1 at their prices, so I paid and got 2 of each, then bought none.

The other prawns were over cooked, over salted, which they don't do in store. Forgiven.

I went for the Coffin Bay oysters. And dang, 8/12 were good and 2/8 were great. 4 were.... meh.

I wanted to eat raw stuff. Their only addition to the usual sashimi was Tai, sea bream or snapper probably, call it whatever you want.

Their freezer selection is way more interesting. I know many restaurants both here and Japan which will thaw frozen and serve it as fresh..... Outrageous!

Eat like Old...

Oh it was about a month ago. I walked into the shop and realized that most of the fish here were quite expensive and especially the parrot fish, which was like 50% more expensive compared to that from other fish markets.

They weren't particularly fresh either. You don't need a lot of experience in buying fish to realize that the coral bream and the red emperor in the photo will probably be inedible by the following day.

Now here comes the exciting part.

I did take an interest in the alfonsino as its price and appearance wasn't too bad, but I was instantly proven wrong when I requested for tongs to check the gills. Dull brown.

I then took a sniff of it, smelled like rotten chicken.

Had a good laugh and escaped as...