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EATING
OUT
Top
fish 'n' chips
Jerry
Lebens takes a portion at Bardsleys
 We
all know that there are chippies and there are chippies.
Anyone who's spent any time in Brighton has probably heard
of Bardsley's and it's terrific reputation as one of the
finest fish and chip restaurants in the country.
Why
don't you go there more often? You want reasons? I'll give
you reasons. Go to Bardsley's you're walking into a thick,
buttery slice of Brighton history. Muriel and Roy are the
third generation of a frying dynasty - son Neil makes it
four. It's a real chip shop too, spotless white tiles, no
candelabra.
We were
pathetically late (Last orders at 8.00pm) but the welcome
couldn't have been better. I'd have told me to bugger off
- there and then. Still, we were in and we were hungry.
Drink? You mean tea? Oh no, they could nip to the pub for
us, or we could entertain a bottle from the Co-op down the
road. No corkage. We said "two pints of Kronenburg,
please," and a marvellous girl nipped to the pub for
our bevvies. For five pounds. Heaven.
Cod
and Chips
(£5.50). Utterly Gorgeous. Grilled Sea Bass and
Chips (£7.95). Sex with Fins (And I could have
had it poached or fried). Is there a secret? No, they use
the same oil and stuff as all the other shops. It's the
quality of the fish. They do use a thin batter mix so, although
the fillets may look small on the plate, they're crisp and
light, not fat and greasy. All the cod is line caught in
highly regulated Norwegian waters and frozen rapidly at
sea. Other species are provided by a small number of trusted
suppliers who know not to call if the quality isn't up to
scratch.
The
menu is as you would expect plus a few exotic specials (see
the board). There's a nod towards the veggies - I quite
like the sound of Pea Fritters and Bubble Cake
which, Roy says, is a bubble without the squeak…
Bardsley's
is special, and Roy and Muriel make sure that every customer
feels special too. They clearly adore what they do, and
are tickled pink over their glowing reputation. For a tiny
price get down to Baker Street and enjoy some of the best
fish you've ever tasted. At the same time you'll be putting
something back into the real Brighton.
Essential
Info
Opening Hours: 10.30-2.30/4.00-8.00 Closed Sun/Mon
Atmosphere: Give us a snog.
Bardsley's Fish & Chip Shop
23 Baker Street
Brighton
01273 681256
copyright New Insight 2002
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