fishmonger
  • ben
    Has anyone else tried the new-ish fishmonger on Seven Sisters Rd, opposite the Tesco Metro, just by the tube? I've been there a few times and think it's pretty good. The guy who runs it is from Afghanistan, which is landlocked, and based on his cooking advice I'm not convinced that he eats much fish himself. But it's good value (cheaper than the place on SGR), and the guy often throws in a few prawns if I buy other stuff. Worth supporting.
  • Colette

    Yep, my mum has been to it a few times and has also said it's pretty good, and cheap. I keep meaning to try it out, but then forget it's there.

  • Bridget
    thanks for that, I will try it, I keep going to the one on SGR but Im always disappointed.
  • staplejack
    walked past the Seven Sisters shop on Saturday and there was a truly rotten smell coming out of the place...
  • N4_bandit
    Man to Fishmonger "Got any mussels"
    Fishmonger "Doesnt look like it!"
  • Fin
    The Fishmonger on Stroud Green Road has definitely improved in recent weeks. New display, new produce and most importantly new found enthusiasm.

    Had a chat with the owner yesterday, he admitted things had slid for a year or two (family problems apparently) but now they're back fully committed with new ideas, suppliers and products. Worth supporting.

    Oh, and the fish I bought for dinner was excellent!
  • staplejack
    Definitely back to it's best. And top-notch cooking tips too ...

    There was a BBC film crew in a few weeks ago for one of the weekend food magazine shows...
  • injoke
    deleted
  • Fin
    Previous guy, yes. New guy, far from it.

    Like I said, it's all change there recently.
  • Firenze
    Pleased to hear this place has improved. Was a regular customer until I bought some dodgy swordfish a couple of years ago. Have been tramping over to Crouch End ever since.

    Look forward to giving it another chance.
  • staplejack
    New guy is the owner - Thierry, also of Chez Liline next door. He put 'miserable man' in to cope with the workload of running two places through some shitty family stuff but has now got more focus on the fishmongers and has really put some effort into turning it around.
  • bennyfromtheblok
    I've bought a few things from the guy on Seven Sisters and always been very good. The prices are very reasonable, especially once you have been two or three times. It's well worth supporting - unless you want another mobile repair shop opening up!
  • missisclack
    Was 'miserable guy' the large smelly one? Check out staff in Tesco used to groan and put their hands over their nose when he would shuffle in.
  • Ali
    Has anyone eaten in Chez Liann next door since it started its set meals ?
  • wisteria53

    We had a lovely set lunch there yesterday. Highly recommended if you like fish.

  • Bridget
    I feel sorry for the little man, I hope he has managed to get a job somewhere. I used to go in because I felt sorry for him and wanted to keep the shop going. The fish was very stale with blurry old eyes.

    He wasnt very chatty - I hope he is ok!
  • tosscat

    Are "the little man" and "the large smelly man" the same person?

    Are you a giant Bridget and is missisclack a dwarf?

  • injoke
    deleted
  • missisclack
    I AM AN ENORMOUS DWARF.

    Now I've worked out who is who. 'little and miserable' & 'BIG AND SMELLY'. I think that little and miserable didn't speak great English. BIG AND SMELLY (AND DIRTY T-SHIRTS, SOCKS, JOGGING BOTTOMS AND CLOGS) put me off buying and eating anything.

    My friend (a local-ish man) quite fancies Thierry.
  • Philistine'sMonster
    Anthony Bourdain says all fishmongers are miserable. Butchers, on the other hand, are always jolly chaps. Well, that's what he says in Kitchen Confidential. Or was it the other book?

    I'd be miserable surrounded by dead, smelly fish all day. Whereas chopping a cow to pieces with a meat cleaver would make me grin like a lunatic.

    Probably because I am, in fact, a lunatic.
  • unaestheticunaesthetic
    phil, i'm with you aaaall the way... :D
  • jellyhead
    There's a nice article about the fishmongers on Stroud green Road on http://www.yourlocallondon.com/editors-blog/finsbury-park/
  • Comedydave
    France Fresh Fish is excellent, the owners are very helpful and friendly. I bought a live lobster the other week which was amazing. I did try the one opposite mini Tesco on Seven Sisters, but when I got home the fish smelt of bleach, I think it had been cleaned in a way to increase its shelf life, it was nasty and I threw it away. France Fresh Fish every time.
  • poxy
    I went in FFF last week with the best of intentions. However, the smell of funky fish put me right off. I jumped on the W7 and went to Purkiss's in CE and bought a lovely fresh sea bass.
  • ShaunG

    A few years ago before I lived here, I knew someone who used to rave about a fishmonger down this way - Steve Hat I think the name was. Has this gone, or did I get the wrong end of the stick?

  • JoeV
    Steve Hatt Fishmongers
    88-90 Essex Road
    Islington, London N1 8LU
    Tel: 020 7226 3963
  • poxy
    Steve Hatt is on Essex Road, about half a mile north of Islington Green. His fish is very good and very expensive but no better than Purkiss's in CE or Waitrose for that matter.

    The queue outside SH's on a Saturday morning is comical.
  • wisteria53

    We vote for France Fresh Fish - and Chez Liline! We had the £10 two course lunch special today. It was wonderful and made with fish from their shop next door.

  • nick_m

    I've always supported FFF, but worried about the 'tropical' nature of some of their produce. Some of it looks like it should be on a coral reef and not on SGR. You can't go wrong with a mackarel from there though. Purkiss rules supreme unfortunately, but the Purkiss men do a grim line in acne.

  • Tallboy
    Should fish shops smell fishy? A relative told me that clean fish shops don't smell of fish, and that a smelly fish shop is a sign of poor hygeine. Is this true?
  • poxy
    No. Yes.
  • taff bach

    Maybe

  • Misscara

    I've only ever had really good experiences with France Fresh Fish. I don't find their shop particularly smelly for a fish shop, however sometimes when the wastebins are out they can be a bit smelly when you walk past them. We had a great barbecue last month with fish and seafood bought from there and I'd highly recommend it. The Seven Sisters road one is alright but not as good as FFF. I don't personally think Purkiss is any better than FFF but it is a lot more expensive.

  • Tallboy
    Thanks Misscara. I have never used FFF because of the ocassional very fishy smell outside. I'll give them a go.
  • staplejack
    Went to Chez Liline (sister restaurant of FFF) on Saturday. Prawns in lemon butter, brill with asparagus and mushrooms. Divine.
  • Tallboy
    Ditto I've never been to Chez Lilline because of the occasional very fishy smell outside FFF. I'll give them a go too.
  • WillM
    Fully agreed. Barbecued some FFF fish last year, and will be doing so again this year. And the restaurant's taster menu is fantastic, even if they could work on the decor a bit.
  • Ian

    I use FFF all the time and have never been disappointed. Currently have a fad for making a starter from their monkfish and regularly get my paella ingredients there. Nice people, nice fish and good seafood - every so often I build myself up to getting lobster or crab if they have live ones kicking about.

    We've only eaten at Chez Liline once. Food was nice, just lacked a little in atmosphere. No reason not to go again and I'm sure we will.

  • missisclack
    FFF smells less since the huge guy who wore his mum's slippers. He was the stinker. The check out people in Tesco would freak when he came up to them, and make exaggerated choking gestures or dramatically cover their nose and mouth with thier sleeves.
  • twinspark
    FFF and Chez Liline are to be treasured not viewed with suspicion
    [some comments here are laughable ' a fish shop that smells of fish'!] The family that own both businesses are incredibly hardworking and very gracious. When you buy fish they will give advice on how to cook it and they really know their stuff. The tropical selection of fish is what makes FFF unique and Purkiss and others plain by comparison.
    The service at Chez Liline takes a while because it is literally cooked to order so if you're in a rush go to Nando's or Miso. There used to be a kebab/chip shop on this site sounds like some in SG would prefer that.
    [although it might smell of kebabs and chips ]
  • Ian

    @twinspark - I'd echo that. They are really helpful at giving tips on the fish.

  • Misscara

    Ditto.

    Also, if you go late in the day you can often get a bargain or a few extras thrown in for free. And if you are looking for something special, or having a large barbecue, let him know a couple of days before and he'll advise you and order stuff in specially for you. I really have nothing bad to say about this place, which is unusual for me :)

  • missisclack
    I like it/them too. Especially since big smelly slipper man has left.
  • Shushu
    French Fish is just the best fishmongers going! excellent service and beautiful fresh fish!
    cant be beaten. their restuarant is great too...yum!
  • Sevlow
    They've got in Tobiko (flying fish eggs) too! Happy Days!!
Add a Comment

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Apply for Membership

Categories

In this Discussion

Local Events: Next 7 days

(Calendar link)