Mudz Cafe - Lake Bonney: In the Riverland region of South Australia
Those who love aquatic sports can indulge themselves to their hearts' content in the Riverland. You can follow the quiet backwaters of Loch Luna and Chambers Creek into the landlocked aquatic retreat known as Lake Bonney.
The lake is literally the front yard for a young Riverland cafe owner, Nathan "Muddy" Dillon of Cafe Mudz. He likes nothing better than taking his speed boat for a spin. And he's not the only one to feel the need for speed on what has become a largely forgotten tourist attraction in the Riverland:
“Donald Campbell actually tried to set a World Water Speed record on the lake. They had a lot of trouble with the weather and they couldn't get the weather right.”
Now the jet skis are stored near the old Sir Donald Campbell Boat shed which, for a time was a local cafe. But today we're more interested in the cafe Nathan runs and, it too has a fabulous view of the Lake.
Come sunset patrons of all ages flock to the balcony of this recently renovated 60s motel and restaurant to sample the latest addition to the Riverland's cafe scene. It's called Mudz because that's Nathan's nickname - courtesy of his mates who play for the Mighty Roos - the Barmera Monash Football Club.
An old premiership photo features Nathan's fast growing fringe which, in the course of a footy match occasionally got covered in mud - hence the nickname:
“They started calling me ‘Mud-flap’. Then it went ‘Mud-guts’ and everything else that had ‘mud’ in it and then it come to ‘Muddy” so that’s how I ended up being ‘Muddy’ - thus Café Mudz.”
His football career is on hold at the moment. Nathan says the Café keeps him busy and besides, it give him a good excuse to miss training! Even so, he still talks of the last Grand Final when he kicked five goals.
He says it was a ‘good day out’. And so it is at the Cafe which bears his name. Many of the specialties are local including the Callop which the Chef Mick Pallier fillets and coats in flour along with their accompaniment, slices of watermelon.
“They'll be frying for a couple of minutes and then we'll just finish them off in the oven. The watermelon is going OK. Now while that's happening we'll make our sauce.”
Into the blender goes the roasted and peeled capsicum along with a combination of fresh herbs including parsley, tarragon, rosemary and oregano. And finally some anchovy fillets, some capers and a dash of lime. Add some oil for the right consistency... and it's time to plate up.
“Callop fillets on pan fried water melon with roast green capsicum sauce.”
It's one of the many local dishes on offer at Cafe Mudz. It's part of the Lake Resort Motel set on the shores of Lake Bonney. To book contact Muddy on 8588 2555. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
