The Cray Seafood and Grill Restaurant in Belmont has won a third consecutive title for WA’s Best Lobster Restaurant.
The popular seafood eatery on Great Eastern Highway earned close to a fifth of more than 1000 public votes to narrowly beat the Lobster Shack in Cervantes, which came second, with Southerlys Tavern and Restaurant in Port Denison placing third.
The annual competition is organised by the Western Rock Lobster Council.
One of The Cray’s most popular dishes is their lobster mornay served with bechamel sauce, dill, melted cheese and panko crumb.
Co-owner Tejas Patel told The West Australian that they sourced their western rock lobster from the Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative “to support our local fishermen”.
Mr Patel added that the WA cray are “the benchmark of lobsters throughout the world due to their sweet rich flavour, low oiliness, firm flesh” and higher meat yield compared to other species.
“We are very fortunate to have western rock lobsters on our coastline,” he said.
Opening in 2004, the Belmont restaurant was the first of three outlets, with The Cray seafood grills also located in Innaloo and Rockingham.
Mr Patel and business partner Mayur Patel (no relation) are due to open four more locations before the end of the year in Currambine, Fremantle, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie.
He estimated The Cray’s overall lobster consumption to grow significantly to around 30 tonnes per year.
“We are planning to open a few more outlets in the eastern states as well,” Mr Patel revealed.
Located in the tourist town of Cervantes, Lobster Shack finished third in 2021, the inaugural year of the competition, and second last year.
After opening in 2010, these days the popular family restaurant serves up around 65,000 crays per year.
Restaurant manager Anna Frenette said the western rock lobster was “a symbol of Cervantes”.
“When you’re eating our fresh lobsters, you’re getting an insight into our lifestyle, the excitement, long hours and thrill of the lobster-fishing game,” she continued.
“To then serve it fresh from pot to plate, 364 days of the year, rain or shine, it’s certain that our family lives and breathes lobster.”
Popular with locals and visitors, Southerlys Tavern and Restaurant in Port Denison is run by the friendly husband and wife team of Callum and Sonia Kerr.
Four lucky readers who voted have each won a $150 voucher to their nominated restaurant as well as a $100 online Back of Boat voucher to ensure they’ll be up to their eyeballs in delicious crayfish.
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