Over on our Instagram channel we’ve been continuing our popular ‘Suggested By You‘ series, where our followers recommend a local, relatively unknown independent venue, and we head down with our filming crew and check it out.
After a visit to Nila’s Burmese Cafe, Mama Flo’s and an upcoming visit to Marble’s Brewery and Tap Room, we squeezed in a visit to Heaton Moor to discover Easy Fish Co. – a fishmongers that’s also a half-eatery, where you can see the fish on display being used to serve on the restaurant side.
It’s the ultimate in fresh produce, where I suppose you can pick your very own fish from the shop front and then have it expertly cooked and prepared for you in the kitchen to eat in the restaurant. Although maybe not, it’s not a lavish suburb version of the old hunter-gatherer thing that was so big back in the BC’s.
Still an independent, family run business, Easy Fish Co. has been providing fresh fish and seafood for 10 years, with over 120 years of experience in the fish trade. They’re now 4th generation fishmongers and can even trace their roots back to the original Smithfield Market in the Northern Quarter!
As you enter, you’re greeted with a friendly fisherman’s welcome, and an almost overwhelming selection of fish, scallops, oysters and prawns – freshly caught that very morning. Owner Charlie talked us through his ‘big hitters’ amongst their loyal local following, including their day-boat Morecambe Bay Brill and John Dory.
They source only the finest produce each morning from their trusted network of coastal suppliers, and everything can be prepared by their highly knowledgable staff – ensuring you’re always getting the very best fish imaginable.
Attached to the fishmongers is a restaurant and bar, with a cracking terrace out front (in Wilmslow) which is perfect when the sun rears its lovely head. The menu in here aims to be as seasonable and sustainable as possible and there’s some truly outstanding dishes on offer.
Restaurant Manager Paul handpicked some of his favourites from the menu for us, including Oysters from Carlingford Loch in Ireland, which are served with either a shallot and red wine vinegar, or a drop of Tabasco.
As you’d expect, these beauties go perfectly with a nice cold pint of Guinness.
The Roast Halibut was beautifully cooked, really flakey, and meaty. It’s served with charred tenderstem broccoli, wild mushrooms, and champ mash potato.
Taking this dish to the next level was the unique sauce served alongside it, which was more of a steak sauce than a fish sauce and worked perfectly with all the elements on the plate.
Their Squid & Prawn Platter (£20) is absolutely massive, easily enough for two people to share, and comes laden with tempura king prawns, salt & pepper squid, salt & pepper cauliflower, slaw, sweet chilli basil and wasabi mayo.
There’s also the ‘Taste of the Sea’ Platter (£50) with buffalo cod cheeks, smoked fish pâté, blanchbait, Thai king prawns, tiger prawns, smoked salmon, mussels, salt & pepper squid and salt & pepper cauliflower. Wow.
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Easy Fish Co. Heaton Moor
Tuesday – Saturday
Fishmongers: 9am – 4pm
Restaurant: 12pm – late
Easy Fish Co. Wilmslow
Wednesday – Saturday
Fishmongers: 9am – 4pm
Restaurant: 12pm – late
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