The Fish House

Decor is nice but ashame about the fish and chips. Been twice - first time the fish was overcoooked whilst the second time it was undercooked. Chips were like cardboard in texture too and the prep and hygiene standards leavea bit to be desired. Skin on on side of the fish shows a lack of prep whilst messy eating areas show laziness on the part of workers who would rather stand and chat. Come on guys, pull your finger out. Coming from the north it shocks me places like this make it to the national press lists of best chippies - this is simply by virtue of their London Location and fancy decor when what really matters is the taste. They've missed each time for me so I don't think I'll be rushing back.

It's not super-spendy if you're comparing it to fine dining but it's a different stratosphere compared to a chippie for 'proper' fish and chips.

The breakfast here is good, especially the eggs benedict and it's busy and buzzy at the weekends. You can opt for the restaurant side or just sit at the benches to eat takeaway fish and chips.

I once tried to use a Wedge local discount card there, as they had the Wedge sticker prominently displayed on the window, but was told that 'only the manager' knew how to 'work it'. Excellent stuff.

I think overall if I was just after chips, I'd head next door and order them at the Empress of India instead.

For really good fish and chips, try the Britannia on Grove Road, or Gary's on Roman Road. Now you're talking.

A friend of mine had been raving about this place, and I can sort of see why - if you live a short walk away then it's perfectly nice. But for a full evening, as a destination dining room... no.

The service is super cheerful, but forgetful to the point of a Victoria Wood sketch. Dishes don't appear when they should... an order for vanilla ice cream took ages, and when it came it was (horribly refrozen) coconut. 'It was so frozen it took ages to get it out!' explained the waitress.

Main fish dishes are great (baked trout with bacon was lovely) and the mussels which are always on the menu are in a very tasty broth. But starters are a bit 'meh'... deep fried calamari was tired, leaden and queasy-making. As were the skinny chips with a main.

It's thrifty and buzzy (though there are, predictably, toddlers still there at 10pm, dragged out by the Hackney parents who didn't realise that having kids was going to mean an end to eating out... ). But not a patch on Fish Central though.

I'd go again if I was local, and just for a main.

As Victoria Park becomes the hangout-de-jour for lapsed-bohemians with million pound mortgages, the Fish House is bringing a bit of real food to the table. All be it for twice the price of the chippie down the road.

Still, it’s a noble concept, poshing up fish and chips in artfully minimalist decor, whether you want to take away or eat in. Whilst the perfectly battered fish and quality seafood (the crab cakes are a particular favourite), are all from nearby Billingsgate Market, the brunch menu is perfect for those bleary Saturday mornings after the night before, all in a laid-back atmosphere with a tasteful soul classic soundtrack.

The portions are gargantuan, side salads fresh, and although the chips could do with an extra layer of grease for the old-skool connoisseur, the dessert menu more than makes up for any lack of cholesterol.

All in all, a welcome addition to Victoria Park Village’s array of trendy eateries. But if you’re after some proper East End fare, head to the vinegar-stained newspaper wrappers of the Britannia Fish Bar in Mile End.