Hooked Hawthorn

Overview

Hawthorn has some good foodie finds. Ocha, Axil and Porgie & Mr Jones all come to mind, and now the inner-east suburb can add healthy seafood to that list with the arrival of the newest Hooked location. Located on a bustling Glenferrie Road where school uniforms and expensive yoga pants are a plenty, we think the wholesome, fresh and seriously tasty seafood offering is going to go down a treat.

Ray Good is the man behind the three Hooked locations – Brunswick, Windsor, and now Hawthorn — and he hasn't always been a man of the kitchen. He used to spin records as DJ Sugarray before turning his love of traditional British fish and chips into something we can all enjoy.  The venue is going hard into the maritime theme with woods, white paints, neon anchors and sea creatures painted on the walls. It fits with the menu, of which a majority is seafood — damn good seafood, at that. Don't be surprised if it's some of the freshest tasting fish you've had in a while.

You can go for house fish, with a light tempura batter with chips or rice and Asian greens ($12.95), or for something a little lighter go for the grilled calamari with salad — either Asian slaw, house salad or a superfood salad ($15.95). Although, we'd be lying if we said the salt and pepper calamari is anything but wonderful. For something a little different try the seared tuna burger with black and white sesame seeds, Roma tomato, iceberg lettuce, sweet pickled onion and wasabi mayo ($12.95), or the grilled prawn taco soft with slaw, pico de gallo, guacamole and Hooked's secret sauce ($5.95). For the whole hog, so to speak, get the Box for Two — two pieces of house fish, eight pieces of calamari, two king prawns, and chips ($35.95). The chips are impressive in their own right: twice cooked, crispy and salty, fresh little bites of joy. Don't expect any frozen shenanigans here.

For an affordable, fun and fresh seafood offering, we can't really fault what Hooked are doing.