The Fish & Chip Shop City will be located on Old Broad Street and will open for a soft-launch weekend from 8-9 October, before its official opening on 10 October. The restaurant will have 60 covers with an additional 16 seats outside and a dedicated takeaway window. It will be available for private hire on weekends.
The restaurant kitchen will be run by head chef Steve Wilson, formerly of Scott’s and Daphne’s, and overseen by group executive chef for Des McDonald Restaurants, Lee Bull.
“I chose to open The Fish & Chip Shop in the City because over the last five years this area of London has become a hot spot for food; drawing in visitors from all over,” McDonald told BigHospitality.
“And many of our clients are City based, so it seemed like an obvious choice to make for the team.
“Over time I hope to turn The Fish & Chip Shop into a chain with 10 locations in London, and eventually I plan to roll out the restaurant nationally.”
Sustainable seafood
Fish & Chip Shop City will serve only fresh fish sourced from suppliers approved by the Marine Stewardship Council. Diners will be offered the choice of classic fish and chips made with cod, haddock or whiting, which will be grilled or fried in the restaurant’s own Camden Beer batter.
The menu will also feature a range of other seafood including West Mersea oysters, grilled lobster and a starter of seared scallops with cauliflower and golden raisins. Other fish mains will include monkfish vindaloo with cumin rice.
The restaurant’s wine list will comprise of 10 red and 10 white and rosé wines including The Fish & Chip Shop’s own blended wine. Bottled and draught beer will be available, with a special focus on Camden Town Hells Lager and Camden Town Pale Ale.
Also on offer will be a range of ‘seaside-themed’ cocktails such as the Dirty ‘Fish’ Martini, a blend of Stolichnaya Elite with anchovy brine and anchovies, and theIrish Mermaid, which consists of Bushmills, Aperol, Orgeat and Antica Formula.
Popular concept
McDonald has already opened a number of restaurants in the capital this year including the Holborn Dining Room and Q Grill Camden. His first The Fish & Chip Shop restaurant opened in Islington in 2013 and has proven a big hit.
“Personally I have always loved fish and chips; great produce that is served in a simple way. It’s the British treat and I think some do it well, but there was a massive gap in the market for improvement, which is where I thought we would fit in," he said.
“Fish and chips is a dish everyone loves and enjoys, as well as champagne, craft beer and oysters. Ultimately, we’re just a little posh shop that folks seem to like.”