Fish in a Tie is a charming, oasis of calm in a busy area of Battersea, offering a hearty array of Mediterranean cuisine in a romantic setting.

The Venue
The location of the restaurant feels a little off-the-beaten track, situated at the back end of Clapham Junction station on the busy Falcon Road. But don’t let this put you off. Once inside you are in a world of candlelit tables, art nouveau chandeliers and baroque looking mirrors on every wall. The restaurant’s entrance is inconspicuous and you would be forgiven for walking right past if it wasn’t for the coat of white paint that brightens up the exterior.

The Atmosphere
Fish in a Tie lives up to its name; it is quirky and bohemian, while possessing a down to earth, rustic vibe. The tables and chairs feel a little rickety and every now and then you might catch sight of your reflection in one of the many oversized mirrors, but this all adds to the charm of the place. Go early, at around 7pm, and you could well find yourself the only one in the restaurant; wait an hour or so and every corner will be packed full, without a free table or chair in sight.

It can become very noisy as the restaurant gets more crowded, so if you’re after a quiet evening it’s better to come early. The clientele, mostly young professionals, are lively and slightly bohemian looking. Staff are very polite and more than happy to explain the menu in detail and give recommendations.

The Food
The menu is imaginative, with starters (£4.25 - £5.95) ranging from hot cheese salad to spicy prawns with avocado salad, and calamari rings with tartar sauce. For mains (prices average around £8.50) you can choose from breast of duck, marinated lamb steak, trout, salmon steak, ostrich steak... the list goes on. Staff will encourage you to opt for one of the specials (£8.50 – £14), such as T bone steak with port wine sauce, hunter’s pie, chicken stuffed with brie or fillet wellington. The hunter’s pie (£8.65) is served in a small casserole dish and contains succulent pieces of venison and pheasant, sweetened by a thick, fruity sauce containing cranberries and blueberries.

The dessert menu (all £3.45) is small, but after such generous portions you may have little room for anything else. You could opt for the apple or banoffe pie – or even better - the Black Tulip dessert, a crispy pancake that tastes of butterscotch, accompanied by cooked pear, cream and chocolate sauce. A complimentary wedge of melon is a refreshing end the meal.

The Drink
There is an extensive wine list, very reasonably priced (£12.45 - £20). A bottle of house wine costs £10.95 and is also available by the small glass for £2.75 and the large glass for £3.75.

The Last Word
Fish in a Tie is a charming, unassuming restaurant that offers good value for money and quality food. It is a good place to come for any occasion, whether it be a romantic date or a night out with friends – and you’ll go home feeling like you haven’t burnt a hole in your pocket.

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