PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAPacific House, as everyone calls it, is one of those Richmond eating houses with ducks hanging in the window. Mostly, it’s identifiable by the crowd of people waiting around for a table in the evening. It’s small and crowded, with laminated tables jammed in together, but no one comes for the decor – or even the service. The reason everyone comes here is for the seafood.
Waiters put a small bowl of soup in front of diners the minute they sit down. Sometimes it’s even nice. There is a menu but feel free to ignore it and glance instead at the brightly coloured cards on the walls that list the specials. Order without too much delay; he who hesitates in this place is no one’s friend. If you’re not too squeamish, then find the fish you like and order it – it will probably be brought to you live, flapping in a net, for your approval. Well, you wanted fresh. The chilli mud crab is just wonderful in season, as are the fine noodles underneath that soak up the spicy juices. The roast duck is the other reason everyone comes here. However, if Pacific House is just too rough around the edges for you, it has a dressier and licensed sister restaurant at 210 Toorak Road in South Yarra.
Rita Erlich, October 2007