What I See with Peter Fiorenza: All about my delicious culinary adventure in Hobart

One thing I really get excited about when I go on holiday is checking out the cafes and restaurants.

Not everyone is into food, but I’m sure a lot of us are.

I reckon it’s a bit of an adventure when you visit any eatery. There’s the location, followed by the ambience and, of course, the food.

Now, you could say, I hit the jackpot when I recently visited Hobart.

This little city at the bottom of Australia is indeed a gem if you are looking for a real laid-back gourmet sojourn.

I’m not for one minute suggesting Hobart is a bit of a sleepy hollow.

In fact, the vibrant city is the gateway to a plethora of unique activities and escapes, but it’s also a place that makes you feel right at home — comfortable in your surroundings.

And the districts of Salamanca and Battery Point are quintessentially a case in point.

Where I stayed, a hotel in one of the converted buildings from the 1800s, really set the scene.

It was less than 200m from the harbour, with pubs and restaurants right on the doorstep and a lovely little cafe straight across the road.

The Retro Cafe was simply that — an old-style eatery, a tiny place packed with tables and chairs and nests of the same outside.

It became my daily brunch spot, a place where I could sit for a couple of hours with a coffee or two, having a chat or a read.

It was also a novelty having your order taken, where the friendly waiter or waitress scribbled your order down or relied on memory.

Salamanca is a smorgasbord when it comes to eating. There was a terrific Greek place, while the Italian was pretty well up there too.

You could eat Chinese while sipping cocktails or sample all sorts of pizza varieties.

It seemed as though there were Tasmanian ice-cream parlours on every corner, and the fresh market store sold everything from gourmet cheeses and meats to fresh fruit and something to drink.

Despite all of this, my favourite meal during my stay was fish and chips.

Really you may ask? Hobart does this so well.

There are the many seafood restaurants that I think stack up with the best, but they don’t compare to the fish and chip barges that line one part of the harbour.

Not far from Constitutional dock, there is a complete row of them, all different colours and sizes.

It was Flippers that took my fancy, and I joined others to order and wait for my number to be called out.

What a treat.

Peter Fiorenza hosts Sport Shed Saturday from 9am and Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA