Kerbisher and Malt
British (Fish and Chips) 50 Abbeville Rd, London, SW4 9NF
££
"London's finest fish and chips"
Kerbisher and Malt opened in 2011 (seperate branch), with an ethos to keep the British traditional dish of fish and chips, simple, fresh and tasty. Since then, they have opened up 3 further branches around London and are critically acclaimed as the best place to get your fill of British nosh.
Included in the "Top 50 Cheap Eats in London" by the Times, Kerbisher has become a well known name in the household and when fish and chips fridays hits. However, I must admit... I don't think K&M's menu is all that 'cheap'... Haddock, Cod and Plaice come in at £6.90 whilst the chips £2.30. Now for London, this may be a cheap price for the dish but having lived in Sheffield for 3 years at Uni I've become used to paying a mere £3 for fish, chips, a side of mushy peas and a can of coke. The same price in London wouldn't get me much more than a portion of chips.
Yes, Kerbisher's fish are bigger and chips are crunchier - but what's a portion of fish and chips without a soggy chip here and there? The perfection of the place almost seems wrong, and horribly un-British. I think the aim of Kerbisher is to try and posh-up, even make trendy (craft beer, diner booths with open brickwork and brown paper menus) a meal which simply isn't any of those things. Even the way the words sound: Fish and Chips sounds blunt, cockney, simple. Kerbisher is trying to take this simplicity and turn it on it's head - like a single piece of cheese for dessert at a Michelin starred restaurant.
But Fish and Chips are gritty, they're greasy and... well... not very posh. But that's why we love it - so stop trying to change it Kerbisher!
Admittedly, the meal was tasty and portion sizes generous, the craft beer was very nice too but I feel would have been better suited in one of these new falafel bars. I like London the way it is, and I like fish and chips the way they have always been. I think I've made my point now, so rant over. Kerbisher you're tasty, but you've just missed the point.
OVERALL RATING: ***
http://www.kerbisher.co.uk/
