Harden's survey result
Summary
“Good fresh fish, simply cooked” is the offer at this trio of seafood bistros (entered via a fishmongers at the front), which are “solid and reliable without being spectacular” – with the bonus, in the case of the Mayfair branch, of finding “really good value so close to Piccadilly”. The May 2019 opening of the new Covent Garden venue signals an upswing of a brand that has been in the doldrums since its peak in the late 1990s.
Summary
“You enter through the front shop full of fresh fish” at these straightforward seafood bistros just off Piccadilly Circus and in Marylebone (surviving branches of what was once a national chain). You don’t get fireworks, but you do get “excellent simple fish”, “reliably prepared” at “reasonable prices” and the Swallow Street branch in particular is brilliantly located.
Summary
“An excellent selection of very fresh, simply cooked fish” inspires very consistent satisfaction with these straightforward bistros in Marylebone and near Piccadilly Circus (survivors of what was once a medium-sized chain); “a mixed West End crowd makes for a jolly atmosphere”.
Summary
“Simply cooked, very fresh fish” is the “straightforward formula done well” at these plain West End bistros. Aside from the fact that you walk through a fishmongers to dine, they “have no pretence to be anything other than upmarket fish ’n’ chip restaurants”.
Fishworks Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We went for the pre-theatre menus. The fish was beautifully cooked. Service was charming but a little haphazard especially as we had made it clear on arriving that we had to be about in time to get to the theatre for 7.30. We will happily return and take friends. The venue is interesting and busy."
"Service can be a bit erratic but it is a reliable place for a reasonably priced fish meal"
"The new Covent Garden branch does not live up to its hype unfortunately. Rather noisy and cramped setting, amateurish service, and food is OK but nothing more"
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