On the face of it this place should have been right up my street. An uplit bar glowing blue neon, glass everywhere, a cold glass of Pinot Grigio and a mild hint that maybe the beautiful people would be arriving at any moment to sip on a few cosmopolitans. The menu had some decent fish options on it, but like a true Brit I went for the Fish and Chips. In the back of my mind I could tell that this was a mistake, but I pushed ahead anyway, after all there was not a scallop to be seen anywhere.

It was a mistake, it did not even look like the sort of Fish and Chips I was hoping for when it arrived, in fact my heart sank as I saw the sad battered fish lying on the plate before me. Now I am not going to cast any aspersion on how this was cooked or any other comment. I am just going to make the comparison that I have had better battered fish out of the frozen aisle at any average supermarket, and I would barely even contemplate eating one of those. The batter was soggy and the fish was wet not even moist, something was not right here. Was it tasty? No not really, the tartar sauce was needed to impart any kind of flavour. The fries were OK and the one redeeming moment was when the barman brought me some malt vinegar without any kind of prompting. Maybe this is how they make Fish and Chips in America, and maybe my hunt was fruitless, who knows. I mean lets be honest here the nearest coast is a long way away and I never really think you get good fish and chips anywhere that you cannot hear the seagulls and the waves crashing or smell the ocean spray.   

I enjoyed my wine, but I made the wrong choice on the food, I should have known that it was not going to be great, after all it was $16 compared to the Fish specials which were closer to $25-30.

I wonder if I can get a Filet o Fish from the McDonalds next door?

Nicks Fishmarket Bar and Grilll is at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 135 , the McDonalds is in the Food Court

Take the Brown Line to the Merchandise Mart CTA stop

Website: http://nicksfishmarketchicago.com/