RIGHTING THE MAST

OK. So it's a little past 5/7/2010. What can I say? Sometimes life just comes at you hard like a hurricane wind, and it's all you can do to ride out the storm. Anyway. We made our way through.
Tonight I steered the ship into Tigard, and sought out Gaffers Fish & Chips, located at 11945 Sw Pacific Hwy, Ste 206. It's a strip mall. Plenty of parking. And I shall dine there again! The dining room is mostly small booths with an intimate feel. The bar nice and cozy and open. Dark, comfortable interior with a large fireplace that almost made me long for winter. There was a TV that would make the lounge a sports bar, but it wasn't really a sports bar per se. I found a table and commenced with my business.

The menu was plain and simple. The usual fanfare of bar food. And a page of fish and chips and other sea-based compliments. From the looks of it I was afraid my fish might have started in a blue box in a freezer at a grocery store. I could not have been more. wrong. I had 4 choices: 1 piece, 2 piece, 3 piece and 4 piece. I opted for a two piece with some shrimp on the side.

When my plate arrived, which was a very short wait, my eyes and stomach clearly disagreed. I was looking at the 2 biggest pieces of fish I have ever seen on a bar plate. They were plump, pipin' hot and soooo good. It was clear they were fresh and hand battered. While my eyes and tongue became excited, my stomach was already asking for a doggy bag. The fish was so flaky and delicious. Cod in the tradition of Fish and Chips of course. The chips were more of an American style, but were still pretty good. The shrimp were adequate. I have had better, but the fish completely compensated!

All in all an Admiral's meal at a moderate single fin. This is a place worth going out of your way to visit. An excellent Americanization of a British tradition!

Did you know that Chips refer to the cut of fries? They are slab-cut or chipped, hence the term chips. Now you know.

SECOND PORT

Well this project is nearly at full steam. Last night I dined at the Rose And Thistle in North East Portland. The place is not quite bar, not quite restauraunt. A bit of an odd feel, in a good way.

The Rose And Thistle is located at 2314 NE Broadway. Parking is along the street. Think of English bar with a dining area slapped on the back of it. It is all done in English Tudor with the expected decorations on the wall. In retrospect it is starkly similar to a basement in the house of one of my childhood friends. As far as the fish and chips go, there were a few options. There was the traditional cod, as well as halibut. The fare is served in a thick beer-based batter. What I would call 'tavern style'.

Dinner was served. I ordered the small portion. It came with 3 pieces, and a healthy portion of fries. The fish was very good. Nice, fresh, and flaky. The batter was heavy, as is the nature of beer batter, but had a good taste. Fries were good. All was served hot.

All in all, a good experience. It doesn't have that ring of authenticness that I have experienced elsewhere. I would use the term Americanized. A good value with a Captain's plate that will run you between 1 and 2 fins depending on your appetite.

Did you know that fish and chips become popular as a take away meal in the United kingdom in 1853? Now you know.

NEXT STOP: Gaffer's 5/7/2010

FIRST PORT O' CALL.

Thursday night found me dining at the Fish And Chip Shop on Killingsworth in North Portland. As I walked in I immediately smelled the animal fat grease. Manchester United was playing football on the tele. I knew that this place was all I was hoping it would be.

The Fish And Chips Shop is at 1218 N. Killingsworth, right at the intersection of I-5 and Killingsworth. Parking is a little scattered, so a small walk might be in order. The menu, history, and a monthly coupon is all available at their website http://www.thefishandchipshop.com/ .The layout has the NoPo Cafe type feel to it, but the decor shouts out British Empire with gaps filled in by colored renditions of the shop's mascot. Tables are simple with the usual accouterments. I was pleased to find vinegar on the tables. I also noted that many of the condiments were European brands as well. As I settled into a table, I really felt like I should have gone through customs to get here. The menu is simple, straight forward, and is very British. There is a lot of British common meals here. They carry a variety of European sodas as well. Any displaced Brit longing for home could find some comfort here. I ordered batters, cod and chips, and an Irn-Bru upon recommendation from my waitress, Heather. She hails from Boston, but has spent significant time in Scotland, giving even more credibility to the feel of this place. (So you don't have to Google it, Irn-Bru is a Scottish brand of orange-soda, and wonderful!)

Finally the moment had arrived. Dinner was served. And it did not fall short of raised expectations. The fish was so good! Tender, flaky and light. I immediately regretted my lunch because I knew I would not have the room to finish the large two pieces that occupied my plate. The chips were thick and heavy in the British tradition. They were also very good. The animal fat gives them a different taste then the vegetable fat most fast food places use for fries.

After all is said and done, it is an Admiral's meal in the range of a single Fin. Run, don't walk to the Fish And Chips Shop, make sure you order gribblings, get the cod, tell Heather I'll be back again soon, and Bob's your Uncle!

Did you know that in England, fish and chips establishments are called Chippys or Chippers? Now you know.



NEXT STOP: Rose & Thistle, 4/22/2010

RUN AGROUND!

The Maiden Voyage has been delayed. Again. Next Thursday is booked, so we'll be trying again 3/25. Thanks.

FIRST THURSDAY

The first place is The Fish And Chips Shop, 1218 NE Killingsworth, Portland Oregon. If you are interested in joining me, leave a comment and we'll work out a time.

ANCHORS AWAY!

Welcome to my blog! Every other Thursday I will be at a local food place dinning on their take on a European classic. I will be blogging my findings as well as some history on this fine meal. I will also be casting for the next location at random from 'the fishbowl'. So come out and join me, or let me know your favorite place! And come back here to see where I've been and whether they were the 'Catch of The Day' or a 'Catch and Release'.