Fishworks, in Richmond’s Old Market, is passionate about its high-quality fresh seafood, and the friendly staff make dining here a pleasure. Each of Mitch Tonks’ branches of Fishworks are known for their traditional fishmongers counters, where you can select your meal on the spot or make a purchase to take home. The menu changes daily but always includes classics such as smoked salmon, Darmouth crab and zuppa del pescatore – a fantastically fishy stew in a delicious thyme and garlic broth. The cheerful royal-blue walls and wooden floors are as welcoming as the enthusiastic staff and scrumptious food.
Fishworks Seafood Cafe
Seafood Restaurant in Richmond
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All In London Review
Tricky to find, but well worth the effort.
I have been there on several occasions – on a first date (it’s relaxed and can be romantic but not embarrassingly so), with female friends as part of an evening of pubs and clubs and even with couples who love well cooked fish.
It’s modern – white, chrome and canteen like – but not clinically so. Very like Fish! but a little less bustly, more upmarket and relatively speaking more expensive. I love the wet fish counter by the entrance – it means that you can see what is fresh and seasonal and helps you decide what you might select for your dinner. And the chalkboard at the reception desk/waiter station always has specials of both food and wine marked up.
The menu is extensive. And changes a lot. But some of my favourites always seem to appear. For example, for starters – crab cakes (£7.50) or calamari (£7). But I never tried the starter plate which appears to offer a selection of tasty nibbles (£9.50). And as you would expect there’s lots of choice of oysters.
For mains I have had the fishcake (£12) and the skate (with black butter and capers (£14.25) and the salmon (with hollandaise - £14). There are one or two options for those who don’t like fish – but not many and it is a waste to go there if you don’t. There’s a reasonable selection of wines – and expect to pay at least £18 for a bottle.
For harassed parents you will be pleased to know that they have a children’s menu too – fish fingers, mussels, fish cakes and that ubiquitous spaghetti and tomato sauce. Mind you, can’t say I’ve seen kids there in the evening.
The staff are friendly but not over familiar. And the service is good if, on busy occasions, a little slow. But I don’t go there for fast eating so it has never been a problem.
They run a cookery school too – which I have always wanted to try out but it’s over £200 for the day. So if anyone does have a go please let me know what it’s like.
Reviewed by KimT
Published on Oct 1, 2008
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