Its The Simple Things….

Simply Fish
Shoreditch Boxpark, Units 42-43
2-4 Bethnal Green Rd. E1 6JU
020 7613 4440

Located above the infamous Boxpark in Shoreditch, the options at this restaurant were plentiful; from the option to dine inside or outside (if the sun ever really decides to come out), to have your fish pan fried, grilled, deep fried, or baked. What's life without choices?

Greeted and seated immediately, Simply Fish is a small enclosed roof top restaurant has a fresh, sea breeze feel, with light décor and soft lighting resembling almost a beach hut. A great contrast from last weeks trip to ChickenShop . Similarly though, Simply Fish has an open kitchen to which we sat next to. 


As personable as this is, sitting near an open kitchen makes us slightly anxious about food being microwaved and by the time you've taken your coat off, your meal is in front of you. This aside, we played it pretty safe and ordered our drinks and starters to set things off.

Drinks/Starters

Sizzling marinated Chilli Prawns 

As you should know by now, water for the table, a can of Ginger Beer and for starters Sizzling marinated chilli Prawns to share. As the waitress took our order, she opened a draw underneath our table and voila, there was our cutlery! Such a nice touch don’t you think?

While waiting for our starters, we noticed the music in the restaurant was really taking us back to the 90s. Yes, we are talking TLC, Destinys Child, Usher, Toni Braxton, 112 – in a cosmopolitan seafood restaurant! 

Singing along and discussing the day, our starter arrived and as the saying goes, all great things come in small packages. Although this was small in size, it was Huge in flavour; packed with chilli, spring onion and ginger – the taste was a great indication of what to expect for our mains.

Mains

Seared Japanese Salmon
with Jasmine Rice, Cucumber
& Chili Salad, Miso dressing

Simply Fish provides readily prepared fish dishes but also gives diners to option to choose exactly what fish they’d like, how they’d like it cooked and what to accompany it with. Jamelia went for Seared Japanese Salmon with Jasmine rice, cucumber & chilli salad, and miso dressing. While Candace opted for Pan-fried Cod with Thai coconut sauce, sweet potato wedges and stir fried vegetables (takes a breath).

Pan Fried Cod, Thai Coconut Sauce,
Sweet Potato Wedges & Stir Fry Veg

For such a casual restaurant, with a nonchalant name we did not expect anything near to the presentation standard of the food when it arrived. The Salmon was surely infused with iconic Japanese flavours like ginger and wasabi, it really took our taste buds on an oriental ride. The Jasmine Rice was a 'good' match however the consistency perhaps a tad bit too mushy. The Cod? Light as a kite!

Candace is not usually a fan of skin left on fish or sweet potato for that matter, whereas Jamelia is a advocate for both. Based on this experience, Candace is now happy admit that skin on fish and sweet potato are everything! The crispy fish skin and sweet potato contrasted so perfectly to the light melt in the mouth cod and potato. The stir-fried vegetables had an obvious oriental flavour, which complimented the Thai coconut dressing. Both dishes married confidently and gave scope for new choices on our next visit. Sitting next to the kitchen is working out pretty good for us so far!

Dessert

Apple and mixed berry crumble
 w/ cinnamon ice cream

Time for dessert! 
Another rivalling situation from ChickenShop, as again, we went for a patisserie style dessert; Apple and Blackberry crumble with cinnamon ice cream. The crumble was a one we had never experienced before. A mushy mixture of flavoursome apple and blackberry with a crispy crumble coating, however unlike other crumbles this was to baked. It was almost as if the crumble had been sprinkled on top. Not something we had experienced before but something we would order again and generous in size - enough to share. But at the same time however not something we would go back for in particular.

The Cinnamon Ice Cream was almost ice like, vanilla ice-cream with a cinnamon slant - an effective but obvious match for any crumble.

With all fish caught daily from Cornwall, Simply Fish provides a healthy alternative to the standard fish and chips. We left the restaurant chuffed with the service, satisfied and guilt-free after enjoying a fresh light flavour packed unexpected trip to Asia!
For our meat lovers ...Might we add- don't let the name fool you Simply Fish did have meat options including Jerk Chicken!

Price: £47
TasteCard? Denied

WOM Spits and Chews

Spits:

• Bathroom (box park public toilets)

Chews:

• Friendly Staff
• Guilt Free Light, Fresh Meal
• Fish options
• Modern, young, vibrant (waitress took orders on iPhones)

Overall WOM Rating : 4 kisses out of 5

                                                              Verdict? CHEWS :-)