David Beckner
Google
My partner and I ventured out during the biggest snowstorm of the season to try out Sea Witch Fish and Chips, which had come highly recommended from some friends. Who wants to stay home and cook when the weather is so bad, when you can manage to get out and enjoy some comfort food. We were able to get parking on a side street and walk to the place.
This is a really cool little diner, with a definite retro feel about it. The bad weather ensured that we got a snug booth for 2, as there were only a handful of (had to be local) customers inside. Upon entering we were greeted with a friendly welcome and directive to seat ourselves at whatever booth we’d like - I assumed he was the owner/chef. We were able to hang our jackets on the end of our “booth’ and have a look at the menu.
The menu is straightforward and simple, presenting the same line up of fish and chips, double fish and chips, fish sandwich or just fish, for each of the four standard fish offerings: Haddock Halibut, Pickeral and Trout. There’s a Weekly Special Option, which this week was Ocean Pearch. Also available are Haddock Cakes, sub-ins of poutine or onion rings, a Kid’s menu, Witch’s Brew (house chowder), and “Bits and Bobs” list including slaw, gravy, curry sauce and a special Horseradish, Garic, Dill Dip. For libations, there is a short list of local craft beers and cocktails, cider and wine.
I opted for the Haddock and chips, paired with a cold can of Woodhouse Nordic Pale Ale while my partner had the Halibut and chips, and a can of Lost Craft Old School Pilsner. We also ordered the Slaw, which was more than enough for the two of us. We also had two large glasses of water at the table.
We could watch the chefs prepare our meal in the open kitchen that we walked past to get to our booth. The golden, crispy fish with a mountain of chips arrived piping hot with our slaw and beers, delivered to us by our lovely server Grace. My Haddock was very good, but not as “tender” as the Halibut my partner ordered. But this is exactly what would be expected of these two fish species, hence the higher price for the Halibut. Both outstanding. Chips were the large, chunky kind, betraying the pleasant fact that they must be made fresh on site from whole potatoes. It was all very delicious and filling. Our slaw was a welcome contrast on the side. The fact that the meal was piping hot, and stayed hot, ensured that the fish and chips never tasted heavy and oily. Our beers and waters were the perfect pairing.
In summary, a fun little spot when you have that hankering for well-prepared and authentic Fish and Chips. This is their only specialty, not the from-the-bottom-of-the-freezer fish and chips that so many places serve. To be honest, we could have ordered the Two and One as there was so much food – two pieces of Fish with the Chips shared between the two of us. But who really wants to share their chips. We will be back with our friends I know it. Maybe have some chowder. And maybe on a less wintery evening….