Mister Chips, Whitby

Chips!

I admit it. The Magpie Cafe was simply too busy to bother to wait.

So once the famous one’s not available… where next?

Mister Chips looked like a good alternative. A small restaurant with full tables is usually a good sign, and we weren’t disappointed.

That said, it wasn’t cheap. Don’t come expecting change from a fiver.. or indeed a tenner. My fish weighed in at a pricey £11+… but then I did go for the extra-special jumbo massive one. For someone currently based in London, it seemed like a fairly normal price.

After being shown to a table, we were delivered tea – in a pot which didn’t pour, but which did at least taste nice – and invited to place our order. Within 10 minutes the food arrived – with separate bowls of mushy peas and ketchup. The fish broke apart with the merest hint of pressure from a fork – and the top batter was crispy. The chips were thick, not overdone nor soggy, and not so many that it was overpowering.

Criticisms? Well… it probably needed draining a little more, as I felt the bottom batter was a little saggy – and asking extra for a slice or two of bread is a little bit of a cheek when you’re charging as much as they are.

But if you’re in Whitby, find the Magpie busy, don’t mind spending a small fortune and being a bit pretentious, then go for it. I’d happily make the trip again.

^J

View Larger Map

Natalizi’s, Chiswick, London

Full English chez Natalizi

This is a food and drink blog about food and drink. That might sound obvious, but the point should be made here and now, because food doesn’t mean two small sprigs of celery over a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It’s about proper food, cooked appropriately, and served with a modicum of decency and humour at a price which won’t give you a stabbing pain in the wallet.

In which case, this is as good a place to start as any. Staffed by some very lovely, chatty Croatians who really understand what service is, this cafe on the Chiswick High Road in London  is a gem. It doesn’t look much from the outside but you’re greeted with a smile, and the food is served quickly and is hot. I always go for the Full English but there’s lots of options on the menu if you feel like something a little less filling. The beans appear to be Heinz. The sausages actually have meat in them, and herbs, and appear not to be cheap. Bacon is crisp, mushrooms are tasty, tomatoes are neither rock hard nor so squidgy you can’t get hold of them, the hash browns aren’t soggy and the eggs actually taste like they should.

You get this with a cup of proper builders’ tea, the chance to watch yummy mummies strolling up Chiswick High Road, a little special cake after your meal (yes, really), a winning smile from the lovely waitress and all for £4.90.

You can’t go wrong, so go… unless I’m there, in which case if you’ve stolen my table on a Saturday morning I will NOT be happy.

>J

View Larger Map