If I was in the condemned cell about to walk the Green Mile and asked what my final meal could be, I'd reply without hesitation; 'Fish & Chips'. The satisfaction derived from such a simple plate of food sends my taste buds into raptures. Fresh fish cooked in crispy batter accompanied by chips covered with scraps; perhaps a squeeze of lemon on the fish, salt & vinegar of the chips & scraps. Oooh, I'm salivating at the prospect! Unfortunately, F&C's, like many things in life have the power to disappoint as well as elevate. Good F&C's aren't always easy to find; even when you do locate an establishment that hit's the spot, there's no guarantee it will do so the next time you frequent. From where I live, it's only 20 minutes drive to Whitby, probably the Fish & Chip capital of the world. Over the years I've enjoyed multitudinous F&C experiences there, whether it be wandering around the harbour clutching my booty swathed in newspaper when I was a kid, latterly with a box of treasure avoiding seagulls or seated within one of the plethora of establishments offering the same menu at an alarming difference in price. When funds allow, my favourite sitty-down place is Trenchers. Although I've had my share of disappointments there, these tend to be wider interspersed than the majority of those I've experienced. My wife and I cruised to Whitby on Tuesday 10th Oct with the intention of enjoying F&C's from a takeaway and taking a stroll. However, walking past Trenchers, the temptation was too strong; no queue, tables aplenty, aroma filling my senses. We did a quick left turn and walked through the door. Shown to a table for two, we didn't need the menu, as soon as the receptors in our brains had realised the direction we were heading, there was never any doubt about our order. Small haddock and full salad for my wife, small cod, chips & scraps for me. Accompanied by a couple of slices of brown bread & butter, a diet cola and a half of Worthington. I've experienced the results of an order can occasionally be less than anticipated, however, at this place and time it would have been impossible to have met a couple of happier customers. I was euphoric, everything was about as perfect as could be. A small cod may sound a bit skimpy, but it was totally satisfying, I was left wanting slightly more, which I guess is how things should be. I parted with £40, including a £5 tip, which may sound excessive compared to alternative venues, but such was my delight I'd have paid more without question. On that particular teatime, there isn't an establishment in the world that could have made me feel better and if I was to be walking the Green Mile the following day, I'd be doing so with a big...
Read moreVisited Whitby before, can not go without having Fish & Chips and decided to dine-in based on reviews as would normally opt for The Magpie. OK, so it’s not the real seaside experience eating in a restaurant, missing out on the sea air, dodging the gulls and protecting your dinner from the scavengers on the sea front, however Trenchers was a great experience. The service was excellent, loads of immaculately presented staff, seated immediately in a clean and comfy area, drinks arrived in a flash and food order taken promptly. Travelling as a couple I had Regular Haddock and my Partner had Small Cod. Mains arrived after a short wait, on the face of it, the Cod looked very small in comparison to the Haddock, but don’t be deceived, it was more than sufficient and my partner struggled to finish as the chips were plentiful. The batter on the fish was exceptional, aerated and crunchy with shards of delicious flavour crumbing off. Both fish were chunky, flaky and beautiful cooked, tender whist retaining its bite. I think the Haddock had a stronger flavour owing to the skin being left on. Chips were well cut and cooked to perfection, light golden colour with a crisp edge, fluffy on the inside. At no point during the meal did either the fish of chips go soggy, despite freshly squeezed lemon and copious amounts of vinegar, clearly the temperature of the oil has something to do with that, like I say, perfection. We were provided with homemade tartar sauce, which was a great addition, I ordered mushy peas, unfortunately I felt they were a little on the bland side, nothing a bit of vinegar and a spoon of tartar sauce couldn’t fix, however a little on the expensive side too. To be honest, the whole restaurant is on the expensive side compared to the nearby competition. It is certainly the most expensive we saw personally, not saying it is the most expensive as we didn’t look everywhere. However, as with most things in life you generally get what you pay for and Trenchers was definitely worth paying that bit extra for. Excellent service, top quality fresh fish caught daily and locally farmed potatoes cooked to perfection. Highly recommended, a must visit if...
Read moreNestled in the heart of Whitby, Trenchers is a seafood lover's paradise that combines British charm with a level of hospitality that would impress even the most discerning traveler. Coming from New England, where seafood is practically a cultural staple, I approached my meal at Trenchers with a seasoned palate. I’m pleased to say, it didn’t just meet expectations—it surpassed them.
The service at Trenchers is a well-tuned dance of professionalism and warmth. The staff, attentive yet unobtrusive, offered a level of care and courtesy that set the stage for an impeccable dining experience. And when it came to the meal itself, Trenchers truly shines.
My dinner, the seafood chowder, was nothing short of a revelation. Each spoonful brought together generous chunks of cod, smoked haddock, prawns, mussels, and salmon, enveloped in a creamy fish and vegetable stock. The interplay of flavors was expertly balanced; the smoked haddock lent a subtle depth, while the prawns and mussels provided a delicate sweetness, making the chowder feel both hearty and elegant. It’s a dish that could easily rival any New England clam chowder, but with a distinctly British twist that I won’t soon forget.
For anyone in Whitby—local or visitor alike—Trenchers isn’t just a meal; it’s a memorable experience that captures the essence of seafood dining at its finest. Whether you’re a connoisseur or simply a lover of quality food, Trenchers is...
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