Finest Catch, Tipton

What kind of restaurant is it?

Well the clue is in the title and Finest Catch is a good old chippy. But in a unique set up. Laid out like an American diner, the interior features stylish booths, black and white tiled floors, high stool tables and comfy chairs. In a word, the place is retro. And coupled with the cute old-fashioned sugar dispensers and artwork adorning the walls and even a jukebox packed with songs of years gone by, there's nowhere quite like it nearby.

But it's just fish and chips, what's the big deal?

Well the restaurant opened off the back of the popularity of its sister restaurant in Henley in Arden, which is a good sign it is doing something well.

And although it is just fish and chips, it's so rare to find a good eat-in chippy that actually does that job, and not at extortionate prices.

The menu is as you would expect, full of chip shop classics, such as battered haddock and cod, scampi and fish goujons. In addition there are sausages, chicken and pies, burgers – and strangely macaroni cheese and chips. There's also a good array of desserts, such as strawberry and vanilla torte and chocolate eclairs, and vintage drinks like Coke float as well as alcohol.

So why should I make the effort and not just go to my local chippy?

Well for starters when you go to the chippy, once your fish has been wrapped up in paper and loaded with salt and vinegar the batter tends to go soggy, and I for one hate that. Secondly, fish and chips is so expensive nowadays, that when you see the prices at Finest Catch, you'll see there's not much difference, so you might as well eat in and make it more of an occasion.

First of all you get free bread and butter with all main courses and smaller meals and seconds of chips (if you can fit them in).

And if you're not feeling that hungry, you can opt for a smaller meal at just £3.50 with the likes of mini fish, peas and chips and no age restriction applies. Children also receive free refills of soft drinks. There is also a takeaway option so you get the best of both worlds.

So what did you go for?

You get a choice on the menu of £6 main courses and £7.50 main courses – which are basically larger sized portions, and for the difference of £1.50, myself and my companion both went for the larger battered cod fillet and chips. What came were deliciously large portions of fish with light crispy batter and tasty, thick-cut homemade chips.

On the side we had mushy peas, which came in a large bowl, plenty for two people and a generous portion of tasty onion rings – both at just £1 each. Together with a can of pop and a pint the bill came in at just £21. Which was cheap enough, and then our kind waiter bought over a booklet of vouchers with the bill and took a further £2 off because we had spent over £20, so in the end it was just £19. For two main meals, sides and drinks, you don't get much better value than that.

So what's the downside?

The only downside of Finest Catch I'm afraid to say is its location. It's on High Street in Princes End, which is quite run down and there's not much else around. On my visit on a Monday night there was only a handful of other diners and I find it quite difficult to see how the restaurant will attract passing traffic.

But do you think you would go back?

Absolutely. The food was great, the service was friendly and the environment clean. Besides, I have a booklet of vouchers that need using up, so what better excuse.

ADDRESS

Finest Catch, High Street, Princes End, Tipton DY4 9JF

Tel: 0121 5570486

Web: finestcatch.co.uk