Fishworks (Marylebone)

My daughter and I popped in for an early supper. As a lover of fish, I'd always wanted to try Fishworks and the cafe-like ambiance of the restaurant led me to believe that we could try a few small dishes and get a 'flavour' of the place for a reasonable price. Sadly I was mistaken. First, for a treat, I ordered myself a bellini but it tastest stale and wasn't a treat at all. Next the waiter read out a long list of items that weren't available. Reading the other reviews for Fishworks in general, this seems to be a common complaint, so why don't they compile a daily menu of what is available? Our two starters of grilled oysters and herring roes with capers were fine and tasty. However, we also fancied some some crab and as the Devon crab was off menu, we were encouraged to try the Alaskan crab. It was £25 a serving, so my daughter and I decided to share. Some very ungainly legs of crab arrived with the tiniest bowl of fries and a pot of mayonnaise. And I can now report that Alaskan crab is the most unflavoursome seafood I have ever eaten! Far, far from the wonderful rich flavour of English crab. My partner then joined us and had a pleasant bowl of seafood risotto and we shared a small carafe of white wine. The bill came to £90. Phew, so much much for a tasty, quick supper.
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Alice Harper
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, May 21, 2007

I've eaten a few times at Fishworks in Marylebone. Each time the food has been great - really fresh produce, cooked simply. The fishmongers at the front of the restaurant are friendly and really knowledgeable.
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Chris Wood
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

on a recent trip to London myself and my partner stumbled across this jem. we had a great lunch. food was fresh and really tasty. service was great and a nice lively atmosphere too. will definitely be back when next in London.
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Rachel
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 27, 2007

Having read the other recent reviews maybe we were lucky but we had a most enjoyable lunch on an extremely wet afternoon. Lots of good choices of traditional fish. Excellent taramasalata and smoked salmon [if a little small portion].

Certainly didnt miss any chips with my haddock, the mash potato was great. Couldnt say the same for the salad, it was very small and limp.

Main complaint would be the toilets. Miles and miles away and such a long wait my partner thought that Id run away.
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cartoon
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, October 16, 2006

I had lunch with a customer last week and we both loved the food. we ordered a seafood soup (called Zuppa) as starter that was really good. a great tasty soup. as main course I ordered seabass and it was delicious. the atmosphere is pretty simple, colourful walls and small tables but on average I do recommend this restaurant for a nice fish lunch or dinner. I will definitely come back.
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jose
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 11, 2006

We have visited this restaurant twice , although why we gave them a second visit, I can't think. On both occasions the service was downright rude. On the second visit, having ordered our food of choice, we were met with the waitress saying, "You thought you were going to eat... well you're wrong- it's off th menu now" Even ingnoring their rudeness, our embarrassment with out guests was the sheer lack of value for money. The portions were so small, with little accompanying them. No wonder people ccommonly complain about the lack of serving chips, which is downright silly, becuase there's not much fish to eat! Makes somewhere like J Sheekey's seem exceptional value for money and very polite service every time.
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Jan Lawrence
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Disappointing dinner for 5. The (new) waitress was not up to speed on what the kitchen had available: we had to re-order 3 starters and 2 mains as each time she came back to tell us 'it had run out'. Interestingly, plenty of Tuna in the front shop was not offered on the menu - does the kitchen know what is and is not available? This also happened to the chocolate pudding dessert - 1 of only 4 choices! Sides ordered with the mains were forgotten and when they did arrive we had to prompt the staff to take them off the bill. I would suspect that their popularity and need to turn tables is pressuring staff and lowering standards
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Peter Matza
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, July 31, 2006

My girlfriend and I went with another couple on Saturday night. When we arrived we were told they had lost the booking and could not fit us in. Another group arrived at the same time and they had a mistake over their booking too! A gentleman from the other group recommended a restaurant round the corner which was lovely. In retrospect we had a much nicer meal there, as the atmosphere in Fishworks was that of a school canteen.
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Matt
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, May 21, 2006

Enjoyed the food but thought it was expensive. One main complaint was that the tables are too small this resulted in the waiter knocking a glass of wine into our roasted seafood. The wine was replaced with a glass of a different wine as the wine we had ordered was not sold by the glass. We thought this was a little cheap. The only thing that was!
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Judith
Thursday, November 10, 2005