Gills N Taters – Fish n Chips Search

Fly N Fish- 2304 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach, CA. 92663                       P: 949/673-8400

Have you ever stood in a place long enough to have the mind wander? Have you ever stared mindlessly at an object where consciousness drifted? Ever been in that space between reality and fiction? This is where the imagination takes over…

There is a place deep in one’s brain where the perception of the present is in charge, but starts to transition into fantasy. At this moment, the dream state becomes the invention of one’s reality.

…all in a moment an arena appears with thunderous crowds in the stands. Focus becomes centered on a large pool complete with diving platforms and swimming lanes. Imagine fish fillets with artistic and athletic abilities taking turns to demonstrate their diving prowess one by one while making an entry with little or no splash. The roar of the crowd becomes deafening. In  another corner, fillets chosen for their grace and poise perform in synchronized maneuvers rolling over and bobbing like Esther Williams. Other competitors in Spitz–like manners make their way swimming laps, bouncing off the edges, and propelling their way back to the point of origin. Eventually the fierce competitors exit the water. The crowd demonstrates their appreciation with applause and cheers.

Poof!   In a dream shattering moment, a spoon is dropped on the kitchen floor. With a shaking of the head and a re-focus of the eyes, a realization forms. The mind wandering during this lapse of time while staring into the fryer at The Fly N Fish, has abruptly ended.

At the Fly N Fish in Newport Beach, the kitchen is the centerpiece of the restaurant. The chefs are visible dipping the cod fillets in a batter infused with Anderson Valley Lager into a deep fryer. The fillets and fries react at impact with a battery of sizzles. The meal is adorned with condiments. The fries are covered with Parmesan cheese and Truffle oil, then prepared for the presentation and delivered.

This Fish and Chips meal experience was extraordinary with those in attendance being awarded on many fronts.

Jill, our server, said we would not be disappointed. We were in agreement!

Silky Sullivan’s- 10201 Slater Ave, Fountain Valley, CA. 92708                    P: 714/963-2718

There is a place where fish converge under one roof and stand united. Once together in the great hall, vigorous debates ensue with participants demanding a voice and boasting of their attributes. Subsequently, the victorious are chosen. The select proudly assemble, standing side by side, singing in unison,  bearing a similarity to a Who-ville soiree.

The newly elected rank and file swears an allegiance, forms a procession, and makes their way to the kitchens of Silky Sullivan’s in Fountain Valley, California.

The ordained are run through a series of conditioning programs and round table discussions that includes the airing of dirty laundry. The fish are now guided through a treacherous obstacle course designed to firm the tissues. A steady diet of nutritious foods is introduced to rejuvenate and detoxify. Smiles are then planted on the faces creating a cheery disposition mimicking the permanent surprise of an overzealous facelift.  The program concludes with the training of proper etiquette to guarantee well rounded candidates.

Most would surmise that the story ends here, but know this is where the journey begins!

Upon delivery, we sat back to take it in. It reminded me of a puzzle. Not in the way that describes some kind of disharmony, but that all the pieces were present to make this meal complete. The batter was a darker shade than usual, probably due to the Guinness. The fries were of the medium sized variety and most likely double dipped to create a crispy golden brown appearance. The Tartar Sauce looked rich and creamy. The aroma was overwhelmingly delicious. All these components turned intoxicating, heightened our euphoria, and transformed us into pondering philosophical geniuses.

Megan, our server, who eats fish and chips twice a week, was right in her conviction. They were exceptional!

UPDATE: CLOSED AS OF JULY 2019

3-Thirty-3 Waterfront- 333 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, CA.              P: 949/673-8464

The 3-Thirty-3 Waterfront Restaurant in Newport Beach was rumored that  their renowned fish and chips was prepared with grouper. This is truly a rare experience for this type of fish to be used. We needed to investigate this possibility. We were ecstatic to find it to be a reality.

Turns out these grouper are raised in environments that promote scholastic achievements from young juveniles into adulthood with the prospect of the ultimate success at the 3-Thirty-3 Waterfront. The fish continue training in healthy practices that allow them to be the best with their virtues intact. These noble fish are then marched like contestants viewed by judges in a pageant, where only the best in class receive this coveted elevation in stature. The freshly battered fillets are then run through a series of Olympic style activities where they dive into 350 degree oil, swim for a few minutes, and then present themselves for the final sacrifice.

When the server popped out of the kitchen with our orders, we were blown away by the magnitude of the presentation. A huge bed of shoestring fries, by the way, were some of the best we’ve experienced. There they were, four ample fillets pointing skyward with condiments positioned to maximize visual appeal. This began to initialize the stages of digestion. At onset, the process reminded me of a locomotive leaving the depot, chugging, wheels rolling, and spewing steam all while preparing the body to embrace this mighty feast.  Each bite dipped in Tartar Sauce created a new mouthwatering experience. The surface of the tongue began to dance with delirium. We were definitely in Heaven.

Our server, Dana, insisted that their fish and chips were some of the best in the biz. She was right!

The Chippy Fish & Grill- Anaheim Packing House 440 S. Anaheim Blvd. #204 Anaheim, CA. 92805 P: 714/603-7865

The Chippy Fish & Grill, situated in the Anaheim Packing House, is a place where the bar was set so high that only the finest cod line up and demand to be used. The chosen are always fresh and never frozen. Each fillet so carefully scrutinized that any slight imperfection catches the ire of the chef calling for its dismissal.

The lightly seasoned soda water batter is an English family recipe and is  shrouded in secrecy. After deep frying, the now golden brown fillets became a visual masterpiece with an aroma to match. Each bite was a delicious compilation of flavors. The batter had a slight crunch to it. The fish was flaky and moist without being oily.  The fillet, the batter, and the flavorings maintain their own identity, but come together like a fine instrument.  The fries were medium in length, lightly salted, and seasoned to perfection. The Tartar Sauce was actually homemade.

I opted for the three piece meal, but realized that everything was so light I could have had a fourth.

After a brief conversation, we realized that we may have found another fish and chips worthy of being considered a Gills N Taters Holy Grail.

 

O’Connell’s Sports Pub & Grille- 19047 Bushard St., Huntington Beach, CA. 92646 P: 714/964-6741

O’Connell’s Sports Pub and Grille is a hidden gem in Huntington Beach, located in the corner of a shopping mall that has fish and chips tasty enough to wake Lazarus.

Each dive into these fillets produced hints of home cooking. The fish was moist and flaky and not mushy. The pub style beer batter was infused with Guinness or Modelo that delivered an electrified response to the palate. The encrusted fillets had crispy to softer areas that made it easy to avoid complacency and break any glimmer of monotony.  Dipped in Tartar Sauce the flavors became even more amplified. The fries were of the larger variety and lightly seasoned. The malt vinegar dousing made the entire meal even more satisfying.

Make sure to wear a bib. The salivating process will be in overdrive. Surprisingly, this entire meal was less than nine dollars, which the tightest budget could easily digest.

Hennessey’s Tavern- 143 Main Street, Seal Beach, CA.                                     P: 562/598-6456

There is a fierce competition in the air.  There are two battling restaurants in Seal Beach clawing their way to the top of the Fish N Chips upper echelon. We were excited to join in, like crickets celebrating the extinction of the seagull.

We opted to visit Hennessey’s Tavern this time on recommendations. We ordered.  Then within the proper 15 minute time frame, our fish and chips arrived. There they were, four perfectly sculpted fillets covered in light brown beer batter encrusted blankets. The moment the first bite sank in, while stumbling over the proper wording,  I looked up and proclaimed,  “Hey this is good!” After a series of positive gestures, we continued.  The crust flirted with crispy, but was just right. Flavorful bites of moist, flaky, and tender fish reminded me of a time when ingredients were unadulterated by commercialization. The fries were cut on site, as evidenced by the peel on some. They had a slight crispiness to them and lightly seasoned. The tartar sauce drew out a trail of hidden flavors.

The entire meal did not taste heavy or reminiscent of the spill of the Valdez. In the end, all in all, we could understand why this place is a home town favorite.

The Olde Ship 1120 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA. 92706                             P: 714/550-6700 & 709 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA.                                   P: 714/871-7447

On the recommendation from quite a few people, we ventured over to The Olde Ship. A restaurant devoted to the fineries of British faire. How could we go wrong with those responsible for the origins and birthplace of Fish and Chips?

The owner, Simon, explained his tireless and unrelenting commitment that his supply chains provide the highest grade fish available from Iceland and Alaska.

In the kitchen, there are experts at each stage of the process demanding perfection under the watchful eye of Simon.

Upon delivery, I stared momentarily at this feast sensing a stir in the belly knowing that something profound was eminent. After a slight dowsing of lemon juice I took my first bite.  That bite was  drenched in flavor and could instantly put a smile on the crankiest of codgers. There is a choice of Cod or Haddock. I recommend one of each. The pub style Carlsberg Beer infused batter did exactly as asked of it.  The batter blanketed the tender fillets locking in flavor and moisture. The Tartar sauce was a great compliment. The amount you use just depends on your level of indulgence. The chips were the larger cut variety and lightly seasoned.

The English pub décor with it’s beautifully dark stained wood interior complete with nautical memorabilia set the stage elevating the fish and chips to the next level.

We applaud the effort and determination for The Olde Ship to continue producing the best! We suspect that they would exceed Her Majesty the Queen’s expectations!

Circle Hook–Newport Beach, CA.  3432 Via Oporto Suite 104   P:949-200-9476

We can understand why this place is a local favorite. The presentation of the fish and chips, cradled in an open container is both visually stunning with an aroma to match. The lightly moderate pub style beer batter that envelopes the fillets is perfect in that is not too hard or soft.  The fillets themselves are moist and tender. Each bite has a plethora of tastes without a sodium bombardment. The Black Cod that they commercially catch themselves with their own boat can set the standards for freshness. The malt vinegar is very light in its bite and does not disguise the flavor. One can tell that the fryer oil is changed frequently. The whole meal had a clean feeling to it. The accompanied fries do not appear to be commercially produced. They had excellent texture and were lightly seasoned. The Tartar sauce was a great compliment and not overwhelming to the fillets. The complete meal had a great vibe.