Expensive meals out are no longer the realm of posh rooms, French classics and suits and ties. In 2010 you can eat scientifically styled dishes for over £100 in Shoreditch wearing trainers if you like. Eating out is trendy in London but not all of us can afford to waste a week’s wages on one meal – or would even want to if we could!
Bloggers (and newspaper critics) seem obsessed with reviewing these trendy, pricey places, but what about all those local eateries on high streets around London, surely some of them deserve attention? Enter Fish in a Tie.
We had read a few random reviews on Urban Spoon about Fish In A Tie, the prices were what caught my eye, two lunch courses for £5. Reviewers all were local and commented on its eclectic decor, large portions and super cheap prices. We had to check it out.
Tucked in behind Clapham Junction Station, Fish In A Tie is not going to win any awards for location but we arrived at 7:30 on a Wednesday expecting an empty room but were greeted by a smiling host rapidly looking around a packed room trying to find somewhere to ‘squeeze’ us.
The decor is kind of crazy but the room feels warm and homely and I was impressed it was packed on a Wednesday. They have a £10 3 course menu plus a normal a la Carte and specials menu.
The cuisine is Mediterranean influence and the menus are tough to pick from, so many delicious dishes! We ordered a bottle of house red, a Prawn and Avacodo Salad and a Goats Cheese and Pepper salad for starters from the smiling waiter. Sipping on the wine we commented how loud (in a good way) the room was, everyone in there was in high spirits and I love a meal where you don’t need to whisper.
The Entrees were both delicious, a great hunk of quality warm Goats cheese and roast peppers and the Prawns were spicy served with avocado on top of a Mexican style crunchy tortilla, a strange combo but the small prawns were juicy and fresh and the spice perfect.
We both decided to order of the specials board opting for Pork Belly with a Calvados sauce and Sword Fish with herb butter. There was lots of great looking dishes to choose from though, Rib Eye Steak and Béarnaise, Pork Medallions with mozzarella and bacon, Duck breast with ginger and honey, Rack of Lamb with Rosemary and a seasonal Risotto with green beans and courgettes.
Our mains were pretty good, nothing gourmet but for £7 we weren’t expecting finesse. The Swordfish probably had been a fair few days out of the sea but the herb butter was great and the pork belly was well cooked with a tasty sauce and a slice of black pudding.
Our waiter looked like he was about to cry when we refused dessert, I caved and ordered a Banoffee Pie which seemed to cheer him up a lot! It cheered us up to when it came, delicious!
Our whole meal with wine and service came to just under £45 and as we were leaving around 9 people were still piling in the door! Obviously this place is a hidden gem; it may not get love by the trendy foodie scene but if you’re looking for well cooked honest food in great atmosphere at ridiculously cheap prices then Fish In A Tie is well worth the trek to Clapham Junction!
We will be back, a lot!
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