Fisherman's Wharf Review

July 28, 2015 by Rich - Foodie Reviewer

Fish and chips this week folks!

Who doesn’t like the old British classic, with salt and vinegar it doesn’t get much better! Before I start, let me bore you with a few interesting (or you may think un-interesting) fishy facts: 

• Fish and chips played their part in the D Day landings. British soldier’s identified each other by crying out ‘Fish!’ and waiting for the response of ‘Chips!’
• Fish and Chips were exempt from rationing throughout both the first and second world wars
• Over 250 million fish and chip meals are sold each year in the UK
• An average portion of fish chips and peas contain only 20.6g of fat, three times less than chicken tikka masala with rice, not as unhealthy as you think eh? I know what I would rather eat
• The Chinese eat fish and chips with sugar, weird!
• Now I couldn’t believe this one, The largest serving of chips weighed 448 kg (987 lb 10 oz) and was made by Adventure Island (UK), in Southend on Sea, Essex, UK, on 29 June 2011.
• And finally… Fish and chips played an important part when Lou and I first started dating. Yep, many years ago, long before we would frequent fancy dining establishments, we would drive along the seafront, park up, and eat fish and chips! I new how to treat the ladies back then!

I could go on, but back to the matter in hand, my latest fish and chip experience. Lou and I hadn’t had proper fish and chips for a while, and I had a craving for the great British classic. However, where do we go, I really think you need to eat this treat within view of the sea, it just tastes better doesn’t it? After giving it some thought, only one place sprung to mind, the Fisherman’s Wharf. We hadn’t been there for a while, so no better excuse. After a long seafront walk, breathing in the sea air, we where hungry, and ready to eat. The restaurant was busy when we arrived, and I was worried we may not get a table, but fortunately they managed to find us a small table for two by the window, with views over the Estuary. We could see the sea, perfect!

So on to the food. The menu is, as you would expect, 90% fish, not only just classic fish and chips, but all sorts of different poached, grilled and fried fish dishes, not to mention Lobster and seafood platters, they all sounded very tasty. But, we were here for the fish and chips. We decided on a cheeky little starter of breaded calamari with garlic mayonnaise. But for the main event, Lou went for Rock and chips; I opted for Skate and chips. On the side we had mushy peas; it just has to be mushy peas doesn’t it? I am a sucker for a Wally, so one for me please! What to drink? Well you should all know by now I love a beer, and wine for that matter, but they had Visor Belgian Pilsner on draft so we just had to give that a go. Very nice it was too, a lager with flavor, and a perfect accompaniment whilst we waited for the calamari, and watched the comings and goings of this busy restaurant and seafront!

The calamari arrived. With a crispy golden bread crumbed coating and tender calamari inside, served with a creamy garlic mayonnaise it was great beer food. I could have just sat there, sunk a few more pilsners and ordered more of this lovely calamari. But I was forgetting what we came here for, proper fish and chips. I just knew by looking at the other diner’s food ours would be good, and it was. The fish was covered in crispy light batter and was piping hot. The chips where superb, you just cant beat a proper good old chip shop chip cooked by a proper chippie, lots of salt and vinegar, delicious. Man alive, I’ve now got serious cravings for chips just writing this! The mushy peas were just the perfect fish and chip side order, they didn’t disappoint. My Wally? It was huge and crispy, just how I like em’!! The conversation ceased on our table as Lou and I devoured this wonderful meal.

As you would expect, after all that food we had no room for pudding, no surprise there really! But, the puddings all sounded pretty good. Classics like homemade sticky toffee pudding and chocolate brownie to name just a couple. They also have a wonderful selection of ice cream sundaes, and guess what, they use Rossi’s ice cream, hallelujah!!! I only said in my last review; if you are going to buy in your ice cream, keep it local, well done Fisherman’s Wharf! I must just share this with you, whilst Lou and I were sitting in the restaurant, one of our fellow diners ordered some ice cream. The waiter returned and explained they could not serve the ice cream, as it had turned ‘icy’; they were not happy with its quality. I am sure there are other restaurants who would just serve the under par ice cream, but not here. They made a quick call, and within minutes, a Rossi’s van appeared and rushed in more ice cream, almost like a gelato super hero! This really impressed me, after all, its how you resolve a problem that counts, and they handled this superbly, great customer service. By this time our bill had arrived, £43 for two courses and a couple of beers each, not overpriced at all.

It had been ages since I last visited the Fisherman’s Wharf. Perched up there looking over Adventure Island since 1986, they certainly are an established restaurant. To be honest, I had often thought it was more geared up to dishing out mediocre grub to the hoards of day trippers. But, believe me its far from that, you’ve just got to look at their menu. Along side the superb fish chips (which has cured my craving for at least another week), they have some wonderful, more creative fish dishes, which I am sure would not look out of place at any high end restaurant. So, if its just a plate of fish, chips and a glass of beer you are after, or a full blown three course fish feast with the wine to match (and the wine list wasn’t too bad), you can have either at the Fisherman’s Wharf. So go on, give em a go!