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On 11/08/06 17:23 +0100, Billy Abbott wrote: > > I have a friend visiting from the US soon and in standard tourist mode he > asked me "Where's the best fish and chip shop in London". I have no idea, > and don't even know what would be considered a really good chippy. > > He's going to be staying in Angel, so does anyone have any suggestions > that I could pass on? And any thoughts on what makes a good chippy? I'm > not a fan of chips, so any chip shop that makes chips that I like is on my > list. The Trawlerman on Upper Street is pretty good (and walkable from Angel). Occasionally slightly over-greasy, but the portions are generous. And as a bonus, George is usually behind the counter (at least, he was still there last December) and is an absolute treat. He's always comically miserable, like some perenially put-upon Alan Bennett character, but friendly with it. Horrible, broken page, but: http://www.eatoutgoout.com/Display_Restaurant_new.asp?R_ID=27752&Tab=1&Back=0 I'd skip the Fish Shop on St John Street (just south of Angel) - their schtick is "gourmet fish and chips" with prices to match. A chippy with a wine list is not a real chippy. Slightly further afield, I always had a soft spot for The Fryer's Delight on Theobald's Road, a shortish bus ride (19 or 38) from Angel. Their batter is great - crispier and lighter than most, and I'm not sure what oil they use, but the food has a distinctive (but pleasant) taste. Not everyone likes it, which leads to mixed reviews on that thar intarweb. Chips are usually crips rather than greasy. They serve a good mug of tea, too, if you can get a table. The one caveat is that they have a delightfully European habit of shutting up shop for several weeks in the summer (usually the whole of August, if I recall) and all sodding off on holiday. So if your friend is here soon, the Fryer's Delight is out. And goddamn, having typed that, do I ever miss Fish and Chips. Americans appear to be utterly, genetically incapable of producing even a passing resemblance to proper Fish'n'Chips. Roll on my next (uncomfortable, liquid-free-luggaged) flight to London... :)
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