What could be nicer on a sunny evening than to dine on fish and chips at the coast? So on that amazingly warm Easter weekend my family and I headed to Whitley Bay to do just that.
It had been a hectic weekend with queues at chippies across the North East, but the staff at Pantrini’s - donned in Pantrini’s black aprons and basketball caps - were still smiling and polite.
And they dished up my favourite chips in a long while. They were not glorified French fries, nor pasty, pale specimens with those weird, super-long chips among their number. They were well-fried, chunky, and tasty and a three in colour on our scientific chip chart . I finished every last one.
Mind you, they’ve been open 100 years next year, so I should not have been surprised they get it right!
We had been eyeing up the glorious mounds of Italian-style ice cream right next door to Pantrini’s at Di Meo's on the way in, but sadly had no room after our main courses.
What was for mains?
Ours was a varied order and I thought that’s why we had a bit of a wait, but when we were called for the fish dishes, the others had still to be assembled. Unfortunately that time on the counter-top meant my son’s light and crispy cod batter had become sodden underneath.
I was surprised at the range of dishes on offer. As a vegetarian, I had been prepared for a chip supper with only ketchup for company. However, there were veggie burgers, mac and cheese – a house speciality – chip stottie and filled jacket potatoes. Sweet potato fries were also listed, though there were none on our visit.
I chose a veggie burger, which was of the potato, carrot and pea variety, but it had a lovely leek flavour and was firm rather than soggy, as so many are. With chips, salad and its bun, it was £4.99.
My husband’s mac and cheese looked a bit sad and he found it lacking in flavour. But our ardent fish fans were happy.
The medium cod – large is available – was 22cm long and very thick, with fresh white flakes and no bones or skin. It cost £6.99 with chips and my son was glad he hadn't opted for the larger fish.
An accompanying portion of mushy peas (£1.29) was absolutely delicious and enough for two. It was chunky, and tasted of peas – not of salt, which often happens.
Homemade dishes
My daughter chose a fishcake and chips (£5.99), which she was delighted with. This was homemade with cod, haddock, potato, parsley, dill, chives and lemon juice. Pantrini’s pride themselves on their homemade tartare sauce too, which we realised too late.
Also homemade are desserts of brownie, sticky toffee pud and chocolate cake, plus ice cream or sundaes. I guess that’s because a simple but smart café is attached.
There were a handful of drinks to choose from at £1.29 for a Pepsi Max and £1.49 for a bottle of water, and you can also get hot drinks and milkshakes. Kids get Kwenchy Kup drinks with their various meal deals, such as sausage and chips at £3.69.
Finishing touches
We asked for salt and vinegar, and this was just right for the grown-ups but not salty enough for our young adults. Another customer returned for more salt as we waited. We were also given two sachets of ketchup apiece, perhaps due to our wait, as a sign on the counter said “a splash of sauce” was 40p.
Tables are available on the busy pavement outside but we crossed to the promenade with our sturdy paper carrier bag, admiring the bright beauty of newly reinvigorated Spanish City, before taking up one of the many seafront benches.
There we sat watching the sea, huddled together as the sun faded and the breeze picked up, warming our bellies with plastic forkfuls of our satisfying suppers.
Take a look inside new Spanish City micropub The Split Chimp in Whitley Bay
Take a look around mini Whitley Bay play village - complete with St Mary’s Lighthouse and Di Meo's
