Fishworks (Chiswick)

Some good food, but overall quite pricey. The service was relatively proficient but cold, indifferent and unhelpful. At the prices, service does matter and for me to spoilt the overall experience. They automatically added 12.5% to the bill. I didn't contest it - but am now kicking myself.
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Punit Shah
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, August 22, 2008

Went to FishWorks Richmond over the weekend and had a fantastic night. My friend and I are massive fish lovers, especially of crustacea and it was absolutely top class. Very fresh, plus the staff obviously have a good knowledge about where it came from and different varieties of seafood.

We'll definitely be back!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 29, 2007

We went 4 people at Fishworks |Primrose Hill on the 23/8/2007. I would like to inform you that we were very dissapointed. We go ofter to the Fishworks restaurant at Chelsey, Muswell Hill and in Patrney. We wanted to show our friends who came from Cyprus, how good the food and the service is at Fishworks. We did not go to the other once because the Primrose Hill one was near to the Hotel they were staying in.

We will not go to this restaurant again. The services was poor, the fish was over cooked, the bread was stale. I have nothing good to say. I would have been better of if I had take away. The Fishworks at Muswell Hill and Chelsea is different matter.

Beba
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Beba Economides
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, September 04, 2007

I've eaten at several branches of Fishworks and I've always been delighted, today was no exception(Westbourne Grove). I don't really understand some of the reviews here, the menu encompasses a large selection of starters and mains and the prices reflect the cost of the main ingredient – fish. You'll find large wild seabass for two to share or a whole mackerel, both delicious but at opposite ends of the price spectrum... Fish is sometimes expensive but it doesn't have to be and the menu successfully reflects this. Another thing I like about Fishworks is that you do get large, generous portions, in some restaurants fillets are often cut small for fancy presentation...

I always order the tarama with the bread, it's rich, smoky and utterly delicious. Today I ate a wonderful fish stew, rich with a beautiful saffron and tomato broth- it contained three enormous pieces of different fish, mussels, a large crouton and aioli – I couldn't finish it all... My friend ate the simply grilled seabass with rosemary and lemon(£13) and a side of samphire(£2.50) - gorgeous simplicity. Service was timely, smiley and professional.

Those who don't like the pared down aesthetic of these restaurants ought to understand the idea that it is a 'seafood cafe'... simple and unpretentious.

Doubters should go on the 50% off offer they are currently running, fish lovers should go twice!
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Tania
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

On Friday evening the restaurant was less than half-full, yet our waiter had to return, having taken our order, to say that one of our choices wasn't available. The food was mediocre -- soggy langoustine risotto with very little evidence that it really contained langoustines, though the stock was tasty -- and the service was equally average.
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Sally
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Sunday, July 29, 2007

Average restaurant, not amazing but by no means not awful either, if my boyfriend and I are stuck on where to go, Fishworks seems a feasible choice. I think the more the Fishworks chain has expanded, the less focus there is on the quality (and indeed quantity!) of the food and more on the price there is to be made on it. However, the one thing I do rate them extremely highly on (well, the Chiswick branch anyway) is their delightfully delicious creme brulee, this - as I'm concerned - is the best I have ever had. We have on a few occasions just gone there for creme brulee and this seems to work for us as we then don't have to deal with some of the recurring issues that have been previously highlighted.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, July 22, 2007

I took the missus to the Chiswick branch on Saturday 7th July. We were immediately aware of a draught running through the place as a door at each end was open. The service was quite friendly, if a little disinterested. As stated in other reviews, there were a few dishes not available, but I suppose that is understandable given that the place was full. My wife had scallops to start ,which were 3 in number and quite large, although they were a mite drowned in Hollandaise. I had mussels to start which were a nice bowlful and very plump with a tasty broth. For main courses my wife had Monkfish which was delicious but a bit on the small side. I was a bit irked that side dishes were extra and quite expensive. I had Skate Wing in Black Butter, which was really good but again quite small. I opted for a dessert which was a truly delicious Lemon Tart with a dollop of vanilla cream which had the consistency of ice cream without the chill factor. All in all we enjoyed the food but it does seem overpriced, the atmosphere does seem to be lacking and I wouldn't hurry back anytime soon. With all of the great restaurants in Chiswick, Fishworks should maybe up their game a little if they want to carry on appealing to what is quite an educated clientell who are spoilt for choice.
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Johnny Unyon
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Monday, July 09, 2007

Food very good. Not consistently good value.

Service doesn't make a lot of sense. Having a fancy cardboard menu means it's out of date months before. Why not have a simple printed menu based on what is available?

The 3 ways of ordering are a gimmick and confusing, often inaccurate. Going up to the fish counter is great, so why bother with the big menu and the blackboards you can't see?

Other problem - staff don't always know what they have. It took us about 40 mins to manage to order.

Place is almost wholly lacking in atmosphere, unfortunately.

Wouldn't go back unless they rationalised the service and perhaps redecorated.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 4
Saturday, May 26, 2007

The quality and freshness of everything here is always excellent. The service is friendly too. It's not cheap, but the extra value you receive for the ten pounds more than you'll pay at a middle-of-the-road chain like chez gerrard or the like, is well worth it. The setting is lovely as well - clean, bright, relaxed and lively. Highly recommended. When people come to visit us in Chiswick, there is only one choice for dinner out. Try the cheeses.
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Julian
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 07, 2007

My husband and I first visited this restaurant just after it opened, and it was a wonderful experience. We therefore booked it for Valentine's day 2007 - our first night out together since the birth of our baby more than a year ago. Sadly, we were sorely disappointed. The waiting staff were surly and unwelcoming, and seated us in a chilly draught. All the dishes we wanted to eat were off the menu (eg scallops), and the food we did have was disappointing and overpriced. When we left we were still hungry, and we ended up going to Carluccio's for pudding to cheer ourselves up. It seems standards have slipped since a great beginning.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, May 01, 2007