The Fish Shop

We (3) have dined at The Fish Shop three times, each time prior to going to Sadlers Wells, and spaced over about two years. We wer advised to book around 6pm for a 7.30pm performance by the staff. The first two times it was OK, service was that they brought the starter quickly and then you wait about 40 mins for the main course, and that makes you look at your watch, not wishing to be rushed for the final part of the meal. On the last occasion, on Tuesday 2 September 2008, this week, we arrived in good time, and only wanted one course. This obviously threw them, because 45 minutes later, when I enquired where it was, they checked and said it would be 5 minutes. Ten minutes later, the food arrived. My husband had ordered the batterred fish and chips, my daughter, the fishcake, and I opted for potted shrimp. The fishcake was OK, but my husband said the fish and chips were tasteless and boring. My potted shrimp was very salty indeed. When we got the bill, the waiter apologised for our order being lost. But he hadn't been proactive, even though I kept making eye contact with him during our wait. We won't return. It just isn't good enough overall. There are plenty of other places that don't rest on their reputation and I think this is what may be happening here.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Thursday, September 04, 2008

We have visited the Fish Shop on two occasions and intend to take dinner there more frequently. The staff were welcoming, although initially we were looking for a lite bite and a glass of wine (ended up having a full dinner).

The food is excellent and the atmosphere cosy and comfortable. There was no hurry with the service and the short breaks between courses were well timed and appropriate (we allow about two hours for a full dinner, from sitting down to leaving).

The wine list is well thought out, catering for a wide variety of taste and budget.

A pleasant dinner occasion on each visit, offering good value for money in this area of central London.
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David Hopwood
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 06, 2008

Having read some of your most recent reviews, our experience at this restaurant before opera at Sadlers Wells on Feb 28 was a pleasant surprise. First and foremost, although the restaurant was packed, the staff were friendly, helpful and efficient. The place looked clean and attractive.

My friend and I both had fishcakes and icecream with a glass of white wine. The bill with service came to about £45. The fishcakes were good but we could have done with more hollandaise sauce. The icecream was so-so, the wine very good.

I would have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant for a pre-theatre meal prior to Sadlers Wells
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Adam Kellett-Long
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, February 29, 2008

Ate there on 7/12/07, 8 till 9 p.m., on the recommendation of friends and had high expectations, given the restauarant's claims. The first thing that struck me (once I'd adjusted to the bright lights and mirrors) was the brusqueness of the waiting staff. We were rushed to place our orders, even though the place was virtually empty (only one other occupied table when we arrived and still only two when we left). When we ordered wines by the glass (since we all had different preferences) from the somewhat limited wine menu, all excess glasses were promptly snatched from the table with an air of disgust that we hadn't ordered a bottle. When I asked for some ordinary butter, without anchovies, I was met with a caustic remark from the waitress that 'This is a FISH restaurant!', as she stroppily went to fetch some butter.

The next thing that left a bad impression was ill-washed, greasy, finger-marked plates and dirty cutlery.

Although the fish of the day, battered haddock, was okay, I was expecting something larger and of better quality than you'd expect in your local chippy, especially as it cost 11 quid. Likewise, the chips were okay, if a little dry and cardboard-like, but I was expecting something more spectacular - or at least better than I could have made myself. I even wondered whether they might have been cooked earlier and reheated. The tiny lemon wedge, pointless gherkin and lack of salad added to the disappointment, and the tartare sauce tasted like it had been concocted from a jar of pre-made mayonnaise - far too sweet and milky, and lacking the tartness and acidity that it should have.

I wasn't paying on this occasion (thankfully!) but it came to £100 for three starters, three fish of the day, a couple of drinks and one pudding shared between us. Had I been paying, I would have deducted the 'voluntary' service charge that was pre-included in the bill (a liberty in itself, I think) and had it not been my friends' treat to me, I would have complained about the aforementioned things too.

Despite all this, we politely said thank you and goodbye when we left, only to be ignored by the surly waitresses.

I won't be in a rush to visit again unless I can be sure that changes have been made and they have cleaned up their act (as well as the plates!).
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, December 09, 2007

Londons most expensive fish and chip shop!

Ate there on a Tuesday night at 7pm. More life in a funeral parlour!

Food was OK, nothing special but fish and chips and 3 beers set everyone back £25.

9 of us, totally disappointed, left and won't be going back!!

Enough said!!
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Juan Collott
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, November 28, 2007

We went to The Fish Shop for a celebratory meal and like many of the other reviewers we were really disappointed. The menu was really boring for a start and the better sounding, lighter options came in at £22 on average. Atmosphere was really low and considering there were just 3 other tables to serve we waited almost an hour for our main meals (which were simple enough being fish of the day and chips and fishcakes). We also noted two other tables making complaints; one being that they didn't have the tuna and plaice that were on the menu and the other that their fish in batter didn't actually have much fish in it!

Payed £64 for 2 starters (one was a soup) and 2 main meals with one bottle of wine. Definately won't be going back.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Thursday, August 30, 2007

Only had the seafood platter and that was sufficient. Beautiful food, good service and very handy for Sadlers Wells.
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MB
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Gutted. Came here last month with friends and was disappointed with the food but thought we all have bad days so I will try again. Went again and had prawns for starters, lovely and fishcake on a base of spinach. Took a while to come considering there were only four of us there. The fishcake was cold in the middle, very cold. Theres no excuse for this sort of thing really. Its never been busy when Ive visited (lunchtime)and thats one of the reasons I like it to be honest. Although the waiting staff (who are pleasant) were apologetic and offered another choice at that stage I just wanted to leave. Penny

might have just dropped why its empty at lunchtime.........................
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

I've eaten at the Fish Shop four or five times in the last year. Early evening or lunch; not late evening. Always found the staff efficient and friendly but possibly because the restaurant was not near capacity. Dissatisfied with food on one occasion: mixed sea-food starter was pretty tasteless and some of the chips with the fish had been re-cooked, Otherwise, I found it good value and enjoyed the way the fish particularly was cooked so that it had good flavour. I think the message might well be: keep the meal simple and it'll be ok. (I think the standard did dip at end of last year - 2006 - but improved in 2007)
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7
Sunday, March 11, 2007

I hadn't been to this restaurant for a year or so and was really disappointed as standards have gone right downhill. There were only 2 other tables occupied which wasnt a great sign - and the food was really mediocre - my friend had some very watery battered cod and undercooked, greasy chips - my fishcake was OK but the hollandaise sauce was way too vinegary and much too thin. For some reason we had dessert which was an OK apple crumble thing, very small for the price with the merest sprinkling of crumble, but it didn't taste horrible or anthing. I certainly won't go there again, though - a shame as when this place opened it was so good.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Friday, February 09, 2007