On a recent visit to Loch Fyne at lunchtime,5 of us ordered the fish and chip special off the menu board at £10 each. what a mistake! the chips were sad and greasy,you had to search for the fish amongst a heavy jacket of greasy batter,the pea puree was OK if there had been more of it,and the whole meal was lukewarm and sad to say the least! this after arriving at the bar to order some drinks..............my wifes gin was topped up out of a plastic bottle of tonic that was nearly empty and flat with not a bubble (this was changed though).Whilst table service was very good,this is the second disapointment at Sheffield Loch Fyne which is a different world to the Loch Fynes we have visited regularly in Cambridge and Poole Dorset.Before the take over by the present pub group, the original Loch Fynes were fantastic,but in fairness what we had the other day,was just poor average pub food at a vastly inflated price!...............for a tenner you expect a little better.

Each to their own.......i love loch fyne. Staff are v good and polite, they wont take a booking unless they can serve you in time allowed. Food has always been good to me. Were you expecting Chip Shop chips....if ya git me???
Their wine list is brilliant !

My personal fave here is the seafood platter to share....

Im really surprised you had a bad meal here honestly.

i can never understand people who go to places like this and simply order fish and chips. branch out a bit.

We went a couple of weeks back for the first time. Got to say I was not impressed in the slightest. Ordered a bottle of wine which turned out to be the wrong one - didn't get shown the label, allowed to taste or anything so we then had to get the waiter's attention to get it changed when we realised. Food was a little on the weak side - the trout hadn't been prepped properly and a sauce served with the mussels had clearly split but was still served. Also, dreadfully slow service - to the point of annoyance, even though we were sat outside on a lovely warm evening and it wasn't particularly busy.

I doubt I'll be back. Not terrible, just not worth visiting when Sheffield has so many great little independant restaurants about.

i can never understand people who go to places like this and simply order fish and chips. branch out a bit.

On the other hand, if they cant get fish and chips right, its not a good sign.

i can never understand people who go to places like this and simply order fish and chips. branch out a bit.WHY?..............we have eaten fish and chips in Rick Steins at Padstow on numerous occasions! absolutely to die for at £14 a head.If they can't get a simple great British dish like fish and chips right I don't think we will be trying the more expensive items on the menu at Loch Fyne.....................Gordon Ramsay tells his trainee chefs to cook him an omlete! what could be simpler,but apparently few pass the test.

WHY?..............we have eaten fish and chips in Rick Steins at Padstow on numerous occasions! absolutely to die for at £14 a head.If they can't get a simple great British dish like fish and chips right I don't think we will be trying the more expensive items on the menu at Loch Fyne.....................Gordon Ramsay tells his trainee chefs to cook him an omlete! what could be simpler,but apparently few pass the test.

Fully agree with you there.

I wouldn't touch a place that couldn't batter a fish right and work the temp control on a deep fat fryer.

The best fish and chips I've ever had, by a long way, is at Rick Steins.

where is this restraunt, i had no idea there was one in sheff

i can never understand people who go to places like this and simply order fish and chips. branch out a bit.

We had three different fish dishes when we went, none of them fish and chips, none of the were cooked well. Adequate yes, but that's not good enough for a speciality fish restaurant.

where is this restraunt, i had no idea there was one in sheff

It's opposite the Hallamshire hospital - used to be Hanrahan's some years back.

i have had nothing but a good experience at this restaurant, however I have better ones at LF.

You shouldn't eat in a Loch Fyne restaurant.

They pay their table staff less than minimum wage and pool the tips to bring them over minimum wage levels, a very dodgy and only-just-legal practice.

This from the BBC:

The "ethical" fish restaurant group, Loch Fyne, pays staff at rates below the minimum wage, the BBC has learned.

It relies on customer tips to boost total pay to a lawful level.

Loch Fyne champions marine conservation, and says it is "an enterprise with respect for animals, people and ecology".

The Unite union called the company's behaviour "appalling", and said all restaurant staff should get the minimum wage, as well as a fair share of tips.

Staff at Loch Fyne Restaurants say they get paid £5.05 an hour, compared with the legal minimum wage of £5.52.

One waitress, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she asked about the pay rate at her interview.

"Jokingly, I asked, 'it's not the minimum wage is it?' They said 'well actually it is; eventually you get paid minimum wage, because it gets made up in tips'," she said.

On its website the company claims: "What sets us apart is our attention to detail and focus on quality. In everything we do, be it building a new restaurant, hiring staff or cooking the food we take huge pride in doing it to the best standard possible."

The waitress said "hardly any customers realise how their tips are used".

"Many customers shove tips on the (credit) card and think you are going to get it," she complained.

Restaurants are legally allowed to include tips in the calculation of employees earnings, but the practice has been criticised as unethical.

In a statement, Loch Fyne Restaurants said it observed the British Hospitality Association's guidelines, and "no-one is paid below the minimum wage".

It pointed out that the Loch Fyne Restaurants business was owned by the Greene King brewing group "so it follows its policies".

Unite is pressing the government to alter the rules on the minimum wage, to stop restaurants including tips in the calculation of employee earnings.

But experts have warned that the area is fraught, and any changes could lead to a legal challenge.

Loch Fyne Restaurants was set up in 1998, and employs 1,200 people at 44 sites across the UK.

Last week the BBC revealed that staff at the Hard Rock Cafe in London were paid less than half the minimum wage, with waiters on £2.06 an hour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7524021.stm

You shouldn't eat in a Loch Fyne restaurant.

They pay their table staff less than minimum wage and pool the tips to bring them over minimum wage levels, a very dodgy and only-just-legal practice.

This from the BBC:

The "ethical" fish restaurant group, Loch Fyne, pays staff at rates below the minimum wage, the BBC has learned.

It relies on customer tips to boost total pay to a lawful level.

Loch Fyne champions marine conservation, and says it is "an enterprise with respect for animals, people and ecology".

The Unite union called the company's behaviour "appalling", and said all restaurant staff should get the minimum wage, as well as a fair share of tips.

Staff at Loch Fyne Restaurants say they get paid £5.05 an hour, compared with the legal minimum wage of £5.52.

One waitress, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she asked about the pay rate at her interview.

"Jokingly, I asked, 'it's not the minimum wage is it?' They said 'well actually it is; eventually you get paid minimum wage, because it gets made up in tips'," she said.

On its website the company claims: "What sets us apart is our attention to detail and focus on quality. In everything we do, be it building a new restaurant, hiring staff or cooking the food we take huge pride in doing it to the best standard possible."

The waitress said "hardly any customers realise how their tips are used".

"Many customers shove tips on the (credit) card and think you are going to get it," she complained.

Restaurants are legally allowed to include tips in the calculation of employees earnings, but the practice has been criticised as unethical.

In a statement, Loch Fyne Restaurants said it observed the British Hospitality Association's guidelines, and "no-one is paid below the minimum wage".

It pointed out that the Loch Fyne Restaurants business was owned by the Greene King brewing group "so it follows its policies".

Unite is pressing the government to alter the rules on the minimum wage, to stop restaurants including tips in the calculation of employee earnings.

But experts have warned that the area is fraught, and any changes could lead to a legal challenge.

Loch Fyne Restaurants was set up in 1998, and employs 1,200 people at 44 sites across the UK.

Last week the BBC revealed that staff at the Hard Rock Cafe in London were paid less than half the minimum wage, with waiters on £2.06 an hour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7524021.stm

?

I do wish when people comment on restaurants that they have hard facts when they put statements on here like this or that they have least been to a restaurant and had a meal there to comment.

This forum is for going out in Sheffield, not about giving us caterers a bad name that puts off customers and that we eventually close.

Sheffield has a very poor eating out selection compared to Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham etc.... lets give outlets a chance please and change the culture of the Sheffield'er that they may eat out more and bring every restaurateur a bit more trade.

it's a hard market out there, we don't need bad press like this that is not correct or reviews which are down right cruel.

The Loch Fyne staff come and dine here a lot and just had their Christmas party here and are a great bunch of people, they are, like most waiters paid on or above the minimum wage. Tips are extra if they give good service.

Big shout out to Tulip lounge, Thyme, Loch Fyne, Wig and Pen, Milestone, and all the restaurants out there.

SUPPORT THEM OR THERE WILL BE NO GOING OUT IN SHEFFIELD SECTION AS NO ONE WILL, well... GO OUT!

Damhouse, why so defensive? It was a quoted bbc article, so would guess they have done their research. The member is merely relaying what they have read, and personally i agree that staff should take the tips whilst being paid minimum wage, not the restaurant using it to make more profit and avoid paying staff appropriately.

The food at loch fyne is shocking all boil in the bag ready made stuff i expect.

The food at loch fyne is shocking all boil in the bag ready made stuff i expect.

I think you'll find it's not.

Shock horror! A chain cafe/restaurant has poor staff pay and you could cook the food better at home yourself! That's what chains by and large are like - support independents and then you have proper recourse if you are unhappy with the service or the food...

?

I do wish when people comment on restaurants that they have hard facts when they put statements on here like this or that they have least been to a restaurant and had a meal there to comment.

This forum is for going out in Sheffield, not about giving us caterers a bad name that puts off customers and that we eventually close.

Sheffield has a very poor eating out selection compared to Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham etc.... lets give outlets a chance please and change the culture of the Sheffield'er that they may eat out more and bring every restaurateur a bit more trade.

it's a hard market out there, we don't need bad press like this that is not correct or reviews which are down right cruel.

The Loch Fyne staff come and dine here a lot and just had their Christmas party here and are a great bunch of people, they are, like most waiters paid on or above the minimum wage. Tips are extra if they give good service.

Big shout out to Tulip lounge, Thyme, Loch Fyne, Wig and Pen, Milestone, and all the restaurants out there.

SUPPORT THEM OR THERE WILL BE NO GOING OUT IN SHEFFIELD SECTION AS NO ONE WILL, well... GO OUT!




Sorry mate, but you seem a little barmy? There are plenty of new small independent places starting up - support them! Not some goliath chain that treats its staff badly and serves food that isn't great! Allow people to point out the flaws in such places, and encourage those who deserve it to thrive!

I am guessing you are worried about being laid off from Loch Fyne? Get applying out there to the independents and see how you go - many are still setting on, and you might even get a pay rise out of it!

?

I do wish when people comment on restaurants that they have hard facts when they put statements on here like this or that they have least been to a restaurant and had a meal there to comment.

This forum is for going out in Sheffield, not about giving us caterers a bad name that puts off customers and that we eventually close.

Sheffield has a very poor eating out selection compared to Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham etc.... lets give outlets a chance please and change the culture of the Sheffield'er that they may eat out more and bring every restaurateur a bit more trade.

it's a hard market out there, we don't need bad press like this that is not correct or reviews which are down right cruel.

The Loch Fyne staff come and dine here a lot and just had their Christmas party here and are a great bunch of people, they are, like most waiters paid on or above the minimum wage. Tips are extra if they give good service.

Big shout out to Tulip lounge, Thyme, Loch Fyne, Wig and Pen, Milestone, and all the restaurants out there.

SUPPORT THEM OR THERE WILL BE NO GOING OUT IN SHEFFIELD SECTION AS NO ONE WILL, well... GO OUT!




I was mobile before, but I fully agree with naming and shaming the restaurants that abuse this loophole and underpay their staff. It gives the staff no incentive to work hard to please their guests as there is no bonus for them at the end of it!

Tragus restaurant group appear to be one of the worst for this practice-
"While many restaurant groups have dragged their feet on changing their tipping policy, their parent companies have reaped handsome rewards. Tragus Group, which controls the Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia and Strada chains, and is one of Britain’s largest restaurant operators, is understood to be lobbying the Government for a delay of several years before implementing the new policy.

The company is 81 per cent-owned by the American private equity giant Blackstone and recorded a 56 per cent rise on its pre-tax profits last year to £44m on earnings of £248m. It confirmed last year that it dips into the gratuities earned by its staff to bring their earning up to the minimum wage.

Tragus paid one of its directors £325,000 last year – a 128 per cent increase on the previous year. Stephen Schwarzman, the chief executive of Blackstone, last year received a remuneration package including stock and shares worth $729m (£689m). The average salary in Tragus restaurants was £10,855 a year."

Here are some further links to this problem-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/28/restaurant-chains-scare-tactics-gratuities

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2791615/Annabels-wrong-to-top-up-staff-pay-with-tips.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/fair-tips-fair-pay-now-the-waiters-bite-back-870724.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/may/06/tips-minimum-wage-ruling

http://www.gmb.org.uk/Templates/PressItems.asp?NodeID=98564

Only 3 more months for them anyhow as it has recently been ruled illegal, so Loch Fyne/Cafe Rouge etc, along with the rest will be forced to pay NMW to their staff.

As you can see below not only are they cheating staff but also the tax man, -
"But managers and staff at both Café Rouge and Bella Italia, where Tragus has claimed the exemption since 2005, insist that no independent system for handling tips exists and that those left on cards are allocated directly by the company. They also say that Tragus manages tips in such a way that waiters nearly always receive only the minimum wage. If Tragus is not entitled to claim the exemption, it could face a tax bill of up to £3.5m."

all big chains are the same, they pay **** wages, for long hours, to be treated like **** etc etc dont get me started as i in the past have worked for one of the big chained pubs and never again. However the chain restaurant are everywhere offering deals, that is the culture we live in, and unless people do stop eating in these places then they will grow putting pressure on the independant restautant. I have not been to LF in ages have been frequenting other none chained places i hate weatherspoons etc the food is bad.

For heaven's sake, has no-one seen the recent film about how fish are vanishing from the oceans called "The End Of The Line"? We shouldn't even be eating fish at all, unless it's from a renewable source!

For heaven's sake, has no-one seen the recent film about how fish are vanishing from the oceans called "The End Of The Line"? We shouldn't even be eating fish at all, unless it's from a renewable source!

From the Loch Fyne website

"We have a long and fascinating history and were one of the first businesses to place the emphasis on sourcing sustainable seafood (responsibly farmed or from healthy wild stocks) for our shops and restaurants."

For heaven's sake, has no-one seen the recent film about how fish are vanishing from the oceans called "The End Of The Line"? We shouldn't even be eating fish at all, unless it's from a renewable source!

I love pointless hippies, they make me feel superior

I went to Loch Fyne for a family celebration, my daughter's birthday. I found the food to be poor quality and expensive.

WHY?..............we have eaten fish and chips in Rick Steins at Padstow on numerous occasions! absolutely to die for at £14 a head.If they can't get a simple great British dish like fish and chips right I don't think we will be trying the more expensive items on the menu at Loch Fyne.....................Gordon Ramsay tells his trainee chefs to cook him an omlete! what could be simpler,but apparently few pass the test.

Is that at his restaurant in Padstow on this side street, or at the much larger fish bar beside the car park.

For heaven's sake, has no-one seen the recent film about how fish are vanishing from the oceans called "The End Of The Line"? We shouldn't even be eating fish at all, unless it's from a renewable source!

i love fish, yes i am aware of the vanishing fish from our waters, but i aint gonna stop eating it.

Is that at his restaurant in Padstow on this side street, or at the much larger fish bar beside the car park.Actually at the Seafood Restaurant!Where lobster is locally caught,not the Frozen Canadian stuff sold in Loch Fyne and lots of other eateries.............although cheaper,we were a little disapointed with his "chippie" beside the car park.Be interesting to hear your comments if you have eaten at either! Rick Steins on tele tonight in a new series for those interested(16th of July)........................I would like to know just how much food at Loch Fyne restaurants is scourced from the actual Loch Fyne in Scotland as advertised in the restaurants!...................come on tell us!

Actually at the Seafood Restaurant!Where lobster is locally caught,not the Frozen Canadian stuff sold in Loch Fyne and lots of other eateries.............although cheaper,we were a little disapointed with his "chippie" beside the car park.Be interesting to hear your comments if you have eaten at either! Rick Steins on tele tonight in a new series for those interested(16th of July)........................I would like to know just how much food at Loch Fyne restaurants is scourced from the actual Loch Fyne in Scotland as advertised in the restaurants!...................come on tell us!

Thanks for reply! Intend to sample at least the chippie this summer - will report back!:thumbsup:

Thanks for reply! Intend to sample at least the chippie this summer - will report back!:thumbsup:I can recomend Rick Steins Seafood Restaurant in Padstow at lunchtime for fish and chips,great service,great atmosphere,and it won,t break the bank as night time can be expensive.(Also recomended) you can get a proper Gin and tonic,presented with your own glass bottle of tonic,not a Gin served in the wrong glass then topped up out of a plastic bottle nearly empty,of flat tonic water! as experienced in Loch Fyne Sheffield.

I went last week and had the take out fish and chips for £5.00. The service could have been a bit more organised, but the food was gorgeous. It arrived at the bar in large handled paper bag, inside was a closed long type burger carton with printed old fashioned newspaper underneath the food. Tartre sauce and mushy peas were also served in separate cartons along with a large Loch Fyne printed napkin. Went into botanical Gardens and had the best picnic had in a long time...wonderful:)

Have to say always enjoyed my food each time we've been to Loch Fyne - been about 5 times since it opended at varying times for fdifferent reasons, but always enjoyed the food - I wouldn't class it as expensive at all.

?

The Loch Fyne staff come and dine here a lot and just had their Christmas party here


They have just had their Christmas Party, in july? :huh:

I actually work at Loch Fyne myself and yes we did have a Christmas party in June. Unfortunately we are too busy serving customers at Christmas to party ourselves and so we waited until we could party in the warmth at The Damhouse which i much say was great. Thankyou Shaun.

I would like to clear up with anyone that has any questions about the way we are paid that I myself, along with most of the staff at Loch Fyne, am actually under 22 and so I am not entitled to normal minimum wage but instead I get minimum wage for my age range which yes is under £5. Shock horror if you have a problem with that get onto the government for giving people under 22 such a poor minimum wage but it is not the restaurants fault. Tips are just an added bonus for us because we work so hard to try and make sure you enjoy your evening.

Yes your facts may have been quoted by the bbc but what do they know. The media like to bend facts.

We also work on a money belt system in our restaurant which means that every server keeps their own tips and we do not pool them or the managers receive an amount. We also receive credit card tips but as they are seen as a second income we are taxed by the government for them and so that is why we prefer cash tips.... not because it goes to the company instead.

Hopefully those that enjoy our service will join us again and those that haven't perhaps give us another chance.

I would like to clear up with anyone that has any questions about the way we are paid that I myself, along with most of the staff at Loch Fyne, am actually under 22 and so I am not entitled to normal minimum wage but instead I get minimum wage for my age range which yes is under £5. Shock horror if you have a problem with that get onto the government for giving people under 22 such a poor minimum wage but it is not the restaurants fault. Tips are just an added bonus for us because we work so hard to try and make sure you enjoy your evening.

.

The government are not paying your wage, Loch Fyne are. They are choosing to pay you less than £5 an hour and it's probably the reason that most of the staff (and I quote) are actually under 22. You do not state what your hourly rate of pay is, or what the hourly rate of pay for staff over 22 is. This would quite easily clear up the issue. Are you sure that the wages quoted in the article were for an under 22 year old?
Oh, and under £5 an hour is diabolical. Under 22 yrs old or not.

I actually work at Loch Fyne myself and yes we did have a Christmas party in June. Unfortunately we are too busy serving customers at Christmas to party ourselves and so we waited until we could party in the warmth at The Damhouse which i much say was great. Thankyou Shaun.

I would like to clear up with anyone that has any questions about the way we are paid that I myself, along with most of the staff at Loch Fyne, am actually under 22 and so I am not entitled to normal minimum wage but instead I get minimum wage for my age range which yes is under £5. Shock horror if you have a problem with that get onto the government for giving people under 22 such a poor minimum wage but it is not the restaurants fault. Tips are just an added bonus for us because we work so hard to try and make sure you enjoy your evening.

Yes your facts may have been quoted by the bbc but what do they know. The media like to bend facts.

We also work on a money belt system in our restaurant which means that every server keeps their own tips and we do not pool them or the managers receive an amount. We also receive credit card tips but as they are seen as a second income we are taxed by the government for them and so that is why we prefer cash tips.... not because it goes to the company instead.

Hopefully those that enjoy our service will join us again and those that haven't perhaps give us another chance.

Calm down! These people are on your side and want to see you earning a decent wage for what you do!

Madaboutfood,

Cheers for replying. Never knew they take tax from the credit card tips. I'll definitely continue tipping by cash from now on!

Went to lock fyne last night and found the food to be not only gorgeous but reasonably priced- has some amazing smoked salmon with a bream for main and both were beautifally cooked.

Will definately be returning soon.

I took my nan to Loch Fynn for her birthday last month, first time I had been.
It was fantastic. The food was delicious, the staff friendly and the prices fair.
I had poached smoked haddock with mash and mustard sauce, really really nice.
My nan had the fish and chips, she said it was the nicest she'd had in a long time. I tried an oyster for the first time. I wasn't sue at first but the staff were friendly enough to describe them when I asked.

I will definately be going again.
Madaboutfood - I'll remember cash tip next time:thumbsup:

Enjoyed lunch at Loch Fyne a couple of weeks ago - it's a good addition to Sheffiled eating places, BUT went there last night, and the atmosphere had changed completely. Loud music (I kind of like to talk to the people I'm with when I go out to eat, not listen to thumpa thumpa music) and there were a couple of tables were people were just screeching their heads off (not Loch Fyne's fault, of course). So, I'd go again for lunch, not so sure about the evening.

The service was very good. We left a cash tip. I always do - that way it should get to the person who served you.

The government are not paying your wage, Loch Fyne are. They are choosing to pay you less than £5 an hour and it's probably the reason that most of the staff (and I quote) are actually under 22. You do not state what your hourly rate of pay is, or what the hourly rate of pay for staff over 22 is. This would quite easily clear up the issue. Are you sure that the wages quoted in the article were for an under 22 year old?
Oh, and under £5 an hour is diabolical. Under 22 yrs old or not.

You are right it is the restaurant that pays my wages but at the end of the day they are a business and want to make as much money as possible so why wouldn't they pay out the least amount that they can. I know plenty of other businesses that also pay only minimum wage. The onus shouldnt be on them but on the government to force them to pay more.

I am paid £4.77 an hour but including tips it can make it up to £6 or 7 an hour. It is a diabolical amount but the restaurant isn't doing anything actually wrong by the law. I know that you all are just trying to stick up for us but I think expecting the restaurant to pay out more when they aren't forced to is just wishful thinking.

At the end of the day my issue wasn't with the wages but the fact that the media was making out that we were being paid under minimum wage but we aren't. I know for a fact that over 22s get their minimum wage too. Its £5.73 but with tips that can go up to £8 or £9.

To everyone that seems to be enjoying it im glad. Hopefully we will see u again soon.

I took my other half to Loch Fyne on Monday, to celebrate his birthday, and it was lovely.

I had potted shrimps, fish & chips then creme brulee. He had goat's cheese tart, roast salmon then the largest portion of sticky toffee pudding I've ever seen!

All the food was delicious, and the staff lovely and friendly. We tipped in cash :)

We'll definitely be back!

first time to Loch Fyne last night bank hol monday and going on what was served it will be the last! mussels to start which were not cooked fresh but probably microwaved or reheated in the seving juice, luke warm and tough.
main course,roast salmon 2 small pieces dry and overcooked and again not fresh cooked warmed up in an oven i suspect, a small bucket of 6 measly chips which were soggy (oil not hot enough) poor leaf salad wilted all served on a bread board for £13.00, others on the table fared just as badly, tortellini was either microwaved or badly reheated as pasta was very dry and had hard edges. to be fair when they asked if we had enjoyed and we said no we were offered complimentary desserts and were not charged for the mussels but seriously a big operation like this should be able to produce simple dishes with ease! the place wasnt even busy, a shame as the waiting staff were good. i can feel a letter coming on to head office.

I went there yesterday and ordered 4 different marinated types of herring fillet and then the fish and chips.

Herring fillets were OK, but nothing special. Marinades were less than inspiring and didn't do one of my favourite starters justice.

Fish and chips was utterly abominable. Haddock tasted old and tired and the batter was completely wrong, which meant that the fat had penetrated it and ruined the fish inside. I ate about a quarter of it and left the rest. I would have complained, but somebody else was buying and they enjoyed their meal, (although what I saw of it, didn't impress me either). My sister's fish and chips was barely covered by batter, there was a thin layer which had almost entirely fallen off, which meant her fish was completely inedible.

If you want good fish to eat, learn to cook it at home, because then you can judge for yourself whether the fish is fresh enough. Restaurants have a nasty habit of turning out less than fresh fish, which I have no doubt was one of the problems yesterday.

The chips were excellent though and the sides were OK.

I went there yesterday and ordered 4 different marinated types of herring fillet and then the fish and chips.

Herring fillets were OK, but nothing special. Marinades were less than inspiring and didn't do one of my favourite starters justice.

Fish and chips was utterly abominable. Haddock tasted old and tired and the batter was completely wrong, which meant that the fat had penetrated it and ruined the fish inside. I ate about a quarter of it and left the rest. I would have complained, but somebody else was buying and they enjoyed their meal, (although what I saw of it, didn't impress me either). My sister's fish and chips was barely covered by batter, there was a thin layer which had almost entirely fallen off, which meant her fish was completely inedible.

I cook fish and chips all the time at home and even when guessing the recipe for the batter, I've never had results anywhere as bad as this. I have no idea how a professional kitchen with (supposedly) professional cooks can mess up this simple dish. I'm guessing the temperature of the fat was wrong, but I will be telling everybody I know to steer well clear of the place.

If you want good fish to eat, learn to cook it at home, because then you can judge for yourself whether the fish is fresh enough. Restaurants have a nasty habit of turning out less than fresh fish, which I have no doubt was one of the problems yesterday.

The chips were excellent though and the sides were OK. So you didn't complain ?? more fool you then .. You paid for a meal that was no where near your expectations ?? Who's the numpty now then ?? If people that are dissatisfied complain at the establishment in question then perhaps they may make a difference rather than griping on about it on here.... :huh:

So you didn't complain ?? more fool you then .. You paid for a meal that was no where near your expectations ?? Who's the numpty now then ?? If people that are dissatisfied complain at the establishment in question then perhaps they may make a difference rather than griping on about it on here.... :huh:

The reason I didn't complain (if you read my post more carefully) is precisely because I didn't pay for the meal.

I eat out for a number of reasons including, but not restricted to:
- to eat nice food,
- to enjoy the company of friends and family and a nice atmosphere.

If I had complained, the second of those two would have gone straight out of the window after the first which had already ruined the experience for me. I wasn't about to ruin it for my friends who were paying and were enjoying their meal.

I take your point though and rest assured if I had been paying myself, then I would have made my feelings very clear and had no compunction about giving the manager a piece of my mind.

I went for a meal here last night and had a great time. I'm not really a big fish eater so I got the fish & chips which was really tasty. My partner had sea bass and scallops and said she thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff were friendly and attentive without being intrusive and to top it off we got a free half bottle of champagne because they were busy and needed our table so asked if we wouldn't mind finishing our drinks off at the bar (we were just about ready to leave anyway).

I think we'll definitely be going back.

I've said this before, but I really like Loch Fyne, always have. I think it's reasonable prices for what you get and I have always found the fish there very good. It was nice when we went a few weeks ago to see that the menu had changed (as it had always been the same every other time I've been) and I had prawns which were lovely (I wish they'd been shelled as I don't like shelling prawns myself but that's just personal preference). I am also incredibly pleased that that lovely site is now occupied by Loch Fyne rather than that horrible American diner thing which used to be there -horrendous.