Rick Stein's Fish and Chip Shop

Rick Stein's Fish and Chip Shop

Rick Stein's Fish and Chip Shop 
South Quay,
Padstow,
Cornwall

Tuesday 12th September 2006

We'd arrived in Padstow to find that (as expected) we had no chance of dinner at Stein's main restaurant (The Seafood Restaurant) that evening, so we had to "make do" with his "Chippy".

Located near to his main restaurant, right on the quay and just a few metres from the Lobster Hatchery, the Chippy isn't much to look at - it is (deliberately?) "just" a chippy.

Until you notice the queues.

Then the menu. Which includes Sea Bass, Monkfish, Hake, John Dory, Skate, Tuna, Megrim Sole, Oysters, Scallops and Squid.

And the proclamation that "All battered fish and chips are fried in beef dripping."

We were very lucky, and got to the door at an unusual lull in the queue, so were seated within five minutes. Bench seats on long tables, so it's as well we like dining with strangers. Immediately after we entered, we looked outside to see the queue had grown to about twenty people.

We each ordered Battered Cod, Chips and Mushy peas - and a bottle of Muscadet.

We spoke to diners either side of us while we waited for our meals to arrive - everyone was more than happy. As were we when the meals arrived.

Most people have had Fish and Chips - and so most will know what to expect. Sometimes one can happen across a very good chippy, but mostly, they're just "fast food" of passable quality.

Fish and Chips isn't the most esoteric dish in the repertoire - it's a simple dish which therefore relies on the basics:

The very best ingredients.
The very best preparation.
The very best atmosphere.

Stein's Chippy delivered results which, to my taste, were perfect. Of course, I'll have to go back (several times) to ensure this wasn't a fluke, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice!

Verdict: Very, very Good. It's worth visiting Padstow just for a meal at the chippy, but I'd recommend at least two days, so you can sample the "Seafood Restaurant" as well.

Sandro & Marg