Thursday, March 5, 2009
Foods Fish 'N Chips Update: Lunch at Blackstone
Posted by Lee Stabert on Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 6:20 AM
Yesterday, I headed to Blackstone for some of the highly recommended fish and chips. I had never been there before and understood, the second I walked in the door, why. These are the types of places I instinctively hate. Sterile and generic, the place seems to be aiming to look and feel like a national chain restaurant. (Yes, I'm a snob when it comes to this stuff.)
As for the fish and chips, the batter was crunchy and well-seasoned, if a bit thick for my taste (my BF referred to it as "fluffy."). The fries were a pretty big disappointment--nothing special and slightly flaccid. Overall, it was a tasty lunch, but I still think the best local version I've had was at The Grill at Green Hills in Whole Foods.
Comments (7)
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I thought this was a food blog, not an architecture discussion.
As for the food, what places, besides *a national chain food store*, have you eaten fish and chips for a reference point? Seeing how the dish is a part of United Kingdom cuisine, have you tried them there? Or even Kearney, NJ?
Sooo, I imagine you won't be back anytime soon?
Good. I'll let Steph know not to expect you.
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Sorry, atmosphere counts.
But you're right about Kearny. The place might as well be in Scotland. You can get a mighty good haggis or a fried Mars Bar at a number of places there, and the fish and chips at the Scots Club are amazing.
Dude, if you're trying to argue Blackstone's case, you *so* do not want to bring British fish & chips into evidence. But since you raised the comparison—well, there is no comparison. And I *have* had the real deal, right off the pier in Brighton.
Locally, I'd say Blackstone's up there with the best. But if I had to choose, I'd rank Dan McGuinness higher. And Whole Foods.
assumng that this comment from FRANK LLOYD WRONG is from the owner/management of blackstones, all i can say is:
MAJOR TACTICAL ERROR
Having been to the UK as well, Blackstone is a far cry from authentic fish & chips. Are they a good substitute? Sure. Fish & Chips with a side of Blackstone's in-house applesauce and I'm a happy camper.
I need to get myself over to Dan Mc. for their version of fish & chips...isn't today the $6 deal?
maybe my memory is bad, but nobody said (in the original discussion)that this was anything other than best F&C in Nashville, not best ever eaten in your entire life anywhere on the planet. and I believe everyone favoring b-stone mentioned the malt vinegar, which I don't see mentioned here at all. Nor do I read that anyone complained about the limp frittes, which according to so many on this blog, is de rigeur in these situations.
as for the building's aesthetics, Lee, by my calcs you were what, 10 when they designed and built this place? Not sure what national chains were around back then with brewing facilities in the front, a wood fired pizza oven to the side, or a fireside library drinking area off the bar, so I'm curious what you're comparing it to. The U-shaped bar actually works here (where it does not in so many other places) because it is in such a large open space, something I also do not see in those chains with their close, confining quarters, every square foot measured for maximum return. But if you didn't sit in the bar you wouldn't notice these nuances. And that's a shame, especially if it also means you didn't partake of their raison d'etre, the brews. I would tweak some of the various hard surfaces and their sound reflective properties, but otherwise have found they designed a heck of a building when I think of all the purposes it serves and the site plan they were given in terms of parking and exsiting structures. Even putting the office above the brewery is brilliant, with its spiral stair connection maximizing that potentially profitable square footage below. (Especially during construction when it looked like a commode was right over a brew kettle.)
as for Frank Lloyd Wrong representing or being B-stone mgmt, I'd say probably not - they aren't shy about speaking up for themselves when warranted.
