We’re big fans of the London Shell Co.’s two barge restaurants in the Paddington Basin (especially the Prince Regent which travels up the canal whilst lunch is served), so we were pleased to hear they were opening a bricks-and-mortar spot on Swain’s Lane straight opposite Hampstead Heath.
The site was originally a Bourne’s Fishmongers which made it a pretty easy transition as it now serves as both a fishmonger and a seafood bar. Like the boats, the shop has an epic selection of wines, available to drink in or take away, including their Grand Duchess sparkling English wine which is a collab with Hattingley Valley wines and a great way to kick off your meal.
The straight-up seafood menu changes frequently and, whilst it’s pretty small, diners can also choose fish from the display – most of which comes from the British Isles – which the kitchen will then cook up. We had some very tasty smoked cod’s roe with fresh bread, juicy scallops cooked in Iberico pork fat (we ordered more bread just to mop this up), Dover sole in a buttery sauce and a pile of crunchy roast potatoes with anchovy and pickled onions.
A creamy, sour bread pudding with fresh strawberries and a watermelon negroni set us up nicely for the short walk to the Heath opposite where we happily collapsed into a mound. Verdict: London’s newest Shell Co. is the perfect plaice for a date.
Unit 4, Sonny Heights, Swains Lane, London N6 6AG
londonshellco.com