Doing our usual 'fly-past' check, the place looked just as a good chippy should. The fish at the counter was freshly cooked, and at just after six it was already filling up with both take-away business and those who wanted to eat in.
We booked a table for 7.30 and went in search of a pub called The Famous Royal Oak, which the Englishman had seen on Fancy a Pint was the only 'decent pub' in Muswell Hill. The pub is tucked away at the other side of the viaduct, in a very residential area, but once inside you realise this is a local spelled with a large L. You could see some of the punters had been there all afternoon watching the rugby, still there were a few families, all enjoying the friendly, convivial atmosphere of this 'proper boozer'. I can see another visit will be imminent…
Back at Toffs just before 7.30 we had to fight to get inside. After a while we were shown to a table upstairs (the restaurant seems to go on and on, up into the attic of the house), and although I'd much rather have eaten in the bustling dining room downstairs, at this stage I was happy just to be seated.
The menu does have other things on it apart from the traditional fish and chips, but I wasn't going to go away without sampling the real thing. The Englishman ordered cod and I opted for haddock. We also wanted some mushy peas, something which in my view you cannot eat fish and chips without.
Whether it was the pint we'd had in the quirky old-fashioned Royal Oak, or whether it was the half an hour wait for our meal (the menu stated that all food is cooked to order and asks for your patience - fine by me), but when the food arrived and I took a first taste, I just couldn't believe how good the fish was. The batter was thin and delicious, with a definite beer taste to it, and the fish was cooked to perfection. I normally eat but a fraction of the batter, but this time I could not get enough of it. The chips too were crisp and uneven, only the way chips cut from real potatoes are. The only thing missing was sliced white bread - but thank goodness they didn't offer it. I was full to bursting afterwards and still couldn't finish my dish.
I really believe this was the best fish and chips I've ever had in England - and I've been both to Bryans in Headingley, West Yorkshire, and Harry Ramsdens (before they went all commercial and franchised).
The staff at this Muswell Hill institution were very friendly too - they were literally rushed off their feet, but all had a smile on their faces and couldn't do enough for you.
We're already planning our next visit to Toffs - that's how good the meal was.
Toffs of Muswell Hill
38 Muswell Hill Broadway
London N10 3RT
Open Mon-Sat 11.30 am to 11 pm
Closed Sunday
Phone 0208 883 8656
7 comments:
important question: did the cod have skin on or not? If not I definitely wanna go there for lunch soon :-)
It did have skin but it tasted fantastic. Something to do with the batter, I think.
Hx
Your post just made me miss London. Will have to try this place next time we're in town!
Hope that's soon, Mette?
Bx
Ah, Toffs is just the best! The takeaway is great but when you eat in it's just a different class. Luckily I live just round the corner so it's a regular occurence for me :)
Caroline, you lucky thing! We took son and his girlfriend last night and it was equally good. It seems as if Toffs is going to be a regular occurrence to us too! Hx
Toff's is great - it's our big treat for when the kids deserve a reward. However, besides the Oak there are a few good pubs in the area: the Bald Faced Stag and the Old White Lion in East Finchley,the Alexandra on Fortis Green, and at the bottom of Muswell Hill Road, the Victoria Stakes is very nice. The Clissold isn't too bad, but lacks that "pubby" atmosphere!
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