FishWorks

I took my family here for a celebratory dinner on a Sunday evening at the beginning of June. Fair enough, there is a fish stall at the front of the restaurant, but it stank the whole place out. They lacked customers, which was probably for the best as a lot of the menu had sold out. Starters weren't great, probably the most expensive and yet disappointingly boring prawn cocktail I have ever seen. Both the calamari and the crab were sold out leaving few fishy options to start. I had mussels which were quite bland and nothing special. Soup wasn't that great either. The main course impressed us more. The seabass on special was delicious and perfectly cooked. Chips and spinach on the side were also very good.

The main courses are expensive and sides are extra - chips at £2.95 for a small bowl. This place is way overpriced and doesn't have the atmosphere to carry it off.

Would I go back? Sadly, no.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

I simply don't recognise the place described in the last two reviews. I knew nothing of Fishworks and had never visited Clapham Junction before and have no axe to grind. The small restaurant was pleasantly busy on a wet Tuesday night and the staff were all friendly and helpful. Our order was taken efficiently, drinks and bread delivered promptly.

One requested item was sold out and a substitute dish fully explained. I'd rather know that stock depends on market availability than assume the kitchen pulls another item out of the freezer on demand.

Our three all different starters and main courses were fully up to expectations and exemplified Rick Stein's view that you don't need to muck about unecessarily with fresh seafood.

Fish is expensive and I'd say £120 for three people (wine, but no desserts) represents pretty good value. I'm sure we will be back.
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Kentishwanderer
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, January 18, 2008

I moved to Clapham Junction a year or so ago, and like fish lots and lots and lots...and after buying the "fish works" cook book, was delighted to find a restaurant near to my new home!! So, wasting little time l decided to sample the restaurant. My first experience l had the crab with "garlic butter"....now, l am keen on trying new concepts, but l have never tasted garlic butter like this - it didnt taste like garlic or butter, and was an example of pompous modern day twists on a classic, and simple taste. Rubbish! A few months later l thought l'd give the restaurant another chance, and ordered the lobster. I have never seen such a poor excuse for a lobster! There was hardly any meat whatsoever on this creature, and l had to just laugh in astonishment. Take all this and add bad, rude service, and a cold atmosphere, and you have a restaurant that isnt worth going to at all. The Northcote Rd is full of excellent restaurants, so do yourself a favour and dont go here. The shop itself is OK, but a little overpriced. Its such a shame that a over hyped fishmonger has probably kicked out a better value and more, honest traditional fishmonger.
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Tim
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, January 03, 2008

A party of four of us recently visited The Fishworks branch on Northcote Road near Clapham Junction station. Given that we arrived early on a Sunday lunchtime and that there was hardly anybody else in the restaurant, having to wait 2 hours for our main courses (a wait which was, to be fair, punctuated after only 45 minutes by our starters finally arriving) seemed unacceptable.

The food, when it finally did come, was bland and overcooked. For a restaurant which specialises in fish, a basic knowledge of how long to cook it for doesn't seem too much to ask.

We were going to order desert but, by the time we'd finished, we just wanted to leave!

The meal was generally OK apart from that, although it certainly wasn't worth the high-end price tag which it came with. There wasn't anything on the menu I couldn't have cooked myself and what there was struck me as overpriced and bland.

The fishmongers at the front of the restaurant is a nice touch, but in the case of the Clapham branch, there is a market stall usually placed next door which has a wider selection and sells it cheaper.

All in all, don't bother, unless you have a lot of time and cash to waste.
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The Professor - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Monday, December 17, 2007

Fishworks is a fantastic concept and after eating in your site on Northcote road lfor lunch yesterday i felt i had to let you know that it was one of the best dining experiences i have had in a while.

Sitting outside in the sunshine eating a divine shellfish platter with a glass of prosecco made me feel like i was on holiday.

what a feeling to achieve in south london on a sunday afternoon.

The counter display for the shop looked so good i had touble deciding what to have.

Fresh fish and shellfish is what the sign said and you served it 100%

I found your recipe for the taramasalata on your webiste and will be trying that real soon.

The only downside was the price being slightly more than i expected.
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Selena Mackay
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 23, 2007

I dined in Fishworks Battersea last week and have to say what a lovely night my friends and i had.

The four of us were recommended the restaurant from a colleague at work and i was abit apprehensive in going as i am new to eatng fish.

the waiting staff was most helpful in me choosing a variety of fish which i may enjoy.

The extensive fish available on the shop counter to choose from is fantantastic and so varse, what a great idea to be able to look at the quality and size of your fish befopre the chef cooks it beautifully.

My main course off the specials board of seared tuna with soy sauce and wasabi was to die for. Simple yet so tasty and easy to try at home.

I was so impressed that as i left the restaurant that evening i booked a table for my birthday next week and bought some fish from the very helpful fishmonger on my way out for my dinner tomorrow.

Battersea is a small site but has a nice cosy feel to it, A great place for friends to dine of an evening.

Fishworks you have now shown me how great eating fish is. thank you
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Andre Van Der Bijl
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 23, 2007

Fishworks has totally lost its quality and edge. The restaurant was filled with fumes from the cleaning agents outside at the fish shop during our dinner which ruined it. The fish was entirely non distinct, and nothing seemed fresh. this place has become a tired chain already. very disappointing. go elsewhere!
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Thursday, April 12, 2007

We went to Fishworks on the Fulham Road just before Christmas. My husband is disabled and the staff went out of their way to help seat him and to deal with his invalid scooter.

However, things weren't quite to good after that. Our starters arrived promptly but we then waited an hour for our main course. It was fine, nothing outstanding but nice enough. By this time we couldnt face waiting for puds so decided to leave.

Staff were fine but I have a real problem with being addressed as "You Guys". This makes me sound like a bit of fuddy duddy but I really think it is rude. Overall impression for the evening - ok.
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andrea clements
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, January 21, 2007

This review is for Fishworks on Fulham Road, that is not yet in the list.

We went there on a friday evening, about 9,30, although the restaurant wasn't full we were directed in the lower ground section. The restaurant had been open only for a couple of weeks so we thought they would do their best both in the kitchen and the service. WRONG!!!The service was really bad, approximate and not professional. The guy who took our orders come back from the kitchen three times, informing that they run out of main courses. The choice was so limited that 2 of us had to get the special of the day "succulent tiger prawn salad with green salad and red onions" and 2 of us fish cakes. 40 minutes after that we were seated our order was completed and given to the kitchen. We were served 40 minutes later. There was only one more table of four people in the same room. Eventually the food arrived. The fish cakes were cold and absolutely average in taste, the succulent salad was formed of 3 medium sized prawns with a spoonfool of green salad on side and three raw onion rings, no dressing. When I complained for the size of what I supposed was a main course the manager said that I had to figure out myself that it was an entree because of the price £14.95. We had some desserts that arrived 30 minutes later, sticky pudding served cold and something else I don't recall. Tha bill was expensive, we were still hungry and tired of all the waiting. That night the girlfriend who had fish cakes had food poisoning. I wouldn't recommend to anyone going there.
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sabrina
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, December 26, 2006

I visited last week with my brother and had an excellent night. We were offered a glass of Prosecco on arrival which started the evening off perfectly! We shared grilled oysters and smoked salmon to start - both of which were delicious. I had Dover Sole and my brother had sea bass for mains - again these were cooked appropriately for the type of fish and the flavour came through. I really appreciate being given the choice of side dishes and found the spinach and Greek Salad just right in terms of quantity and accompaniment. The lemon tart was not as good as it could have been (I have had it before) but overall we both had a great evening, were well looked after but not pestered.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Monday, October 30, 2006