Posted on: 9th of October 2008 | Under: Palate Pleaser

Fish and chips and vinegar,
Vinegar, vinegar,
Fish and chips and vinegar,
Pepper, pepper, pepper, salt.

I enjoy finding and trying out new places to eat (I should really detox and maybe try out a colon cleanse for all the belly abuse!), and I admit that I’ve done very little of that since I moved to Singapore. Last Saturday was a treat, because JR and I had lunch with two of his band mates after their interview one block away.

Our pit stop: Fishermen’s Wharf along New Bridge Road (right in front of Central Mall/Clarke Quay MRT). I was ecstatic to try it out. I spotted its front sign from across the street just a few hours earlier, and made JR promise that we come back to dine there one day. He had already tried the food there before, and gave a pretty positive feedback, which is why I happily agreed when Alvin (their band’s singer) suggested the place for lunch that very same day.

Nestled among a row of shop houses, Fisherman’s Wharf has a floor space of two units combined. Despite the visible stairs towards the back of the place, only the first floor is actually available for diners. Still, the tables and seats spread out across the space, including in front of the restaurant for those who want to dine alfresco, seemed sufficient enough.

Furnished with simple wooden plank table tops and cushioned stools, the atmosphere brings a nostalgia of dining only meters away from the beach. I liked the rustic feel. One wall, decorated with a mural of the seaside (with men fishing in the background), supplemented my day dreaming of actually being by the water. All that was missing was the feeling of sand between my toes, and it would’ve really felt like being there!

The only drawback is sweating while dining. The place is poorly ventilated with no air conditioner and only several ceiling fans available. Not too wise, considering Singapore’s hot and humid weather. Yes, the heat really does bring out the seaside ambiance, but better ventilation would be more appreciated for a genuinely comfortable dining experience.

With the restaurant being self-service, one has to order and pay at the counter, find a table, and wait for the food to be served. And considering the supposed poor/lack of service, it was surprising that our orders were served with very little waiting time. But then again, the place wasn’t packed (only 3 other tables were occupied at the time), so I’m not sure how fast they really are during peak hours.

The menu generally has one main dish: Fish and Chips (they do claim to have the best authentic Fish ‘n’ Chips in town). Except, there’s a variety of fish to choose from, and you also have the option of either french fries (pre-manufactured fries, which are fried… stays crispy) or chips (fresh potatoes, skinned, cut, blanched and fried) on the side. With the price ranging from as low as SGD7.50 (for the Cream Dory Fillet) to as high as SGD19.50 (for the North Atlantic Cod Loin), I say that it’s pretty reasonable.

JR and I both ordered the Baltic Sea Salmon Fillet: Fried a la Meuniere (only sifted in flour, no batter) for SGD12.50 each. He opted for the french fries (which he didn’t touch anyway because he’s on a low-carb diet), while I the chips. I was surprised by the very generous serving; In our baskets were two huge slices of salmon! It was only then that I noticed the menu that clearly stated that one order was already good to share.

The salmon was cooked to perfection; Crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside. The creamy texture of the fish topped with the tangy tartar sauce was a treat to the palate. My chips went all soggy (they did have a warning about that in their menu), so I munched on JR’s crispy french fries instead. And of course, drizzling lots and lots of malt vinegar (having fish ‘n’ chips is never complete without the vinegar!) over the fish and fries made the entire meal a winner.

In the end, despite the shine and oil that suddenly appeared on my face (it was that hot!), I was satisfied with the whole dining experience. From the scrumptious fish to the generous servings, I left the place with a delighted palate and a very full and happy belly.

Next time, I shall try their other fish varieties.