The Name Says it All - review added on

If you like fish - you'll like this! Look, I'm not particularly keen on fish and even I like it! When they had monkfish on the menu it was absolutley amazing - I actually could not compare the taste to anything I'd had before - sensational. Now the menu offers something different, I chose haddock with watercress sauce (still good but not outstanding). The complimentary bread/dip and mineral water set the evening off to a good start. The quality of the food makes up for the slightly surly service. Some of the staff are somewhat (how can I put this?) formidable. The chef/patron is a character, though not one I'd care to become acquainted with. Pity that it's the small things that prevent a place from becoming truly great - like starting to clear the table after you've paid but before all your party are quite ready to leave - and it was well before closing time - it's not like we had outstayed our welcome - they just made us feel that we had.Leaning over the table to serve a diner on the opposite side is also not very professional - and there was adequate space to move around the table and serve the food correctly. I'm still recommending this restaurant because the standard of food is undoubtedly high. If you're going along as a group of say four or six you'll probably not notice the shortcomings, you'll be too busy appreciating the food.

Overall:	6
Food:	10
Service:	4
Ambiance:	6

Recommended Dishes: monkfish

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Fish For The Non Fishy. - review added on Mon 2nd May 2005

Whilst searching for an unbooked lobster one night we managed to get said food and table at the Cafe Fish. We were certainly not disappointed with the quality of the food. The lobster was spot-on (although the chef was loathed to use it for thermidor). And for a general fish avoider as my self the choice was adequate. I took the plunge though and had the Tia seafood curry. Very nice.As with Graham S we were disappointed with the apparent tolerance of the staff with our visit. I know work in the service industry can be stressful but a smile and friendly manner would not go a miss.Service otherwise was OK.All in all a good place to go for a good fish dish... just don't be surprised by the staff.

Overall:	6
Food:	8
Service:	6
Ambiance:	6

Recommended Dishes: Lobster, Tia fish curry

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Not Surprisingly A Winning Restaurant. - review added on Thu 12th May 2005

Cafe Fish is an award winning restaurant. The food is amazing (my favourite restaurant and always my first choice). The staff are fantastic and always helpful. The owner (and chef) himself comes out to chat to all his customers and tell them what the days specials are. I really like this personal touch to the service. I see that some people have not been over happy with the service here but my experience has always been a very happy one. I think the price is very reasonable for the quality you get and the ambience in the restaurant is spot on. Perfect for a romantic meal or for a night out with friends. I would recommend Cafe Fish to fish lovers and non fish lovers alike (for they may be pleasantly surprised!)

Overall:	10
Food:	10
Service:	8
Ambiance:	8

Recommended Dishes: Greenlip mussels, Scallops

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Fish Great, Shame About The Rest. - review added on Tue 28th Jun 2005

This was our second visit to Cafe Fish so we were expecting high standards. It all started off well and the starters were of the usual high quality and the waitress pleasant.Unfortunately it was all downhill from there. Two in our party had ordered turbot with wild mushrooms and spinach but unfortunately the only thing on the plate was the turbot (lovely!) but no accompaniments apart from some limp-looking lettuce that was probably from a Tesco bag. When we complained, the owner came to see us to explain that he had worked out the dishes that morning but had omitted to tell the Chef about the mushrooms and spinach! He said he would get some sent out, but they did not arrive. Somewhat taken aback, we carried on with our meal. Unusually for us, we ordered two sweets - lemon cheesecake - which had ice crystals inside and tasted of nothing, so we left it. Cue another visit from the owner, who said it couldn't be frozen as all his sweets were handmade by a lady on a farm, and that it must be his fridge that was set too high. He also said that it was no use trying any of the other sweets, as they were all made by the same person. At this point, we opted for a coffee and a quick getaway, but unfortunately my son takes cream in his coffee and as he poured it into his cup it separated into thick globules, and was obviously off. We complained again. The owner said it was just his luck that it was our table and that it was Tesco's fault, as it was fresh that morning and had been sitting in a warm kitchen and that was the reason why it had gone off. (Yes, we didn't understand that one either!) At no point did he offer an apology.The owner made us feel very uncomfortable, as we had been trying to complain very discreetly, but he said all of the above in a very loud voice and all the other diners were in no doubt as to what was happening. I agree with Graham S that he is not a man I would like to get acquainted with.It is such a shame that I cannot recommend this restaurant, as the fish is wonderful, but we will not be going again. A pity for us locals.Sue

Overall:	2
Food:	6
Service:	6
Ambiance:	6

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It's To Die For. - review added on Thu 19th Jan 2006

My wife and I have been something of a regular at Cafe Fish since we discovered it a few years ago, after buying our holiday home in Scarborough.The reason we keep returning is that we have never had a bad experience here. In fact we have only ever had great experiences here and these are not confined to the cuisine.We love the personal touch provided by the owner/chef - William. He is very much larger than life in all ways but that is - for us - to the good.He relishes the responsibility of detailing the different dishes of the day, which are typically created/invented by himself and his co-chef Robert after their buying expedition to the docks. He is willing and able to change the method of preparation and/or sauces etc to suite your particlar desire and - thus far - has always triumphed.We have never experienced any of the moodiness implied by some of the reviewers. To the contrary we have found them to be very personable and chatty when prompted.Over the last few years we have introduced many of our friends to Williams oasis and to a man they have enjoyed it as much as we have. They are now also regulars- along with ourselves - at the New Years Eve and Burns Night bashes. The food is exquisite, the atmosphere exactly as we wish and the staff well worth their money.The only way this place could be improved is with singing lessons for William!

Overall:	8
Food:	10
Service:	10
Ambiance:	8

Recommended Dishes: Prawns Pil Pil

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This Plaice Has Sole.... - review added on Mon 14th Aug 2006

It was my friend's 29th birthday and a group of five of us were looking for somewhere new to try in our home town of Scarborough. Cafe Fish was suggested and it proved a great choice.On arrival we gathered in the bar area and sampled the complimentary stuffed olives and anchoivies while the chef enthusiastically informed us of his Specials that day. I thought that this made a pleasant change from the usual restaurant style of pointing at a blackboard!We were sat relatively quickly after deciding what to have and took this opportunity to enjoy the bread that was offered on the table.I had Thai fishcakes with a sweet chilli dip for starters and an arrangment of three baby Lemon Sole each wrapped around asparagus with cheese on a bed of Sand Fire with a creamy sauce. Fantastic!We found the staff very friendly and were given plenty of time to have a chat and a laugh.We all agreed that we would like to go again we just need another excuse!

Overall:	8
Food:	8
Service:	8
Ambiance:	10

Recommended Dishes: Thai Fishcakes

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Its Gone Down Hill William - review added on Fri 1st Sep 2006

Well where do I start, I travel every year approx 100 mile each way to Cafe' Fish. Every year has been excellent to say the least until this week 30/8/06. 1) The mussels are not farm as per menu, excuse after we told them "er I fink there out of season"2) The Ling dish was supposed to have scollops, excuse "er I bet the chef forgot or got mixed up and forgot to put them on. I can ask him to cook you some more if you want"3) The 2 lb lobster I specifically phoned to order was a mere 1 lb if lucky excuse "we get that many lobsters these days its hard to see which are the big ones"4) We asked a waitress 3 times for our veg which should have come with both dishes, she said ok. When we had almost eaten our meal's the other waitress said "oh I am sorry she is from Poland and does not understand very well"We were offered no reduction in price for the missed items, but we could have a complimentary liquore.

Overall:	2
Food:	2
Service:	4
Ambiance:	10

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Review added on Thu 21st Jun 2007

well, after reading the reviews I feel some people have been to a different restaurant. We have visited this place many times, in fact made a special trip to scarborough on two occasions. Firstly..fish is not my favourite dish but at this resaurant they turn my least favourite ingredients into the most delicious meal. The owner is a true character with a passion for his menu, in fact worthy of a visit to watch him in action. Yes, he has an amazingly different sense of humour but like his food, it is without parallel ! If you want the freshest, best cooked and well presented food, try this place (if you can get in!) Scarborough is not known for its haute quisine so it's quite a suprise

Overall:	10
Food:	10
Service:	8
Ambiance:	10

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Tasty fish! - review added on Mon 17th Sep 2007

Dont know what is up with everyone. I have been to Cafe Fish 3 times and it has never disappointed food wise. The owner is very nice and can always rustle up a nice dish depending on what he has in. The waitresses could smile a little more but its not really a complaint. the food is lovely.

Overall:	8
Food:	10
Service:	8
Ambiance:	8

Recommended Dishes: thai fish cakes, mussels, sea bass

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