Forum Topic

Kerbisher and Malt

I thought this high-standard chippy was brilliant when it opened last year. Then it became unreliable and now it just seems to have gone permanently downhill. I talked to the manager and owner about what could improve but I don't think it will happen. Anyone had better experiences?

Rachel Sanger ● 4619d37 Comments

We went for lunch(4 of us) last week and found the food wanting. The fish was fresh enough but wasn't cooked well - batter too soggy and the chips didn't have the crunchy tastiness that chips have in the north. Comparing the food with say the Loch Fyne Seafood and Grills chain, K'n M was lacking the quality experience - had Loch Fyne fish recently in Leeds and Winchester and there was no comparison. Come on K'n W Ealing, pull yer nets up, your falling behind.

Gerry Tan ● 4483d

I've been in Kerbisher and Malt a couple of times and I do think its food is good.However, I use the Tai Hing Chinese takeaway in The Avenue, almost directly opposite the Drayton Court Hotel.  The food is always freshly cooked, nicely cooked (ie not horribly greasy) and the portions are huge. Honestly, unless you are extremely hungry, I'd buy one portion of fish and chips and split it with someone.

Allison Franklin ● 4486d

Based on Simon's experience it doesn't say a lot for the other London 'chippies' does it?

Nigel Brooks ● 4489d

Thanks for the youngandfoodish website link which lists the "Top ten eateries in London" by burgers, fish'n chips and salt beef and other food categories. Good to see they list Gaby's Deli in Leicester Sq for salt beef. and they sing the praises of Kerbiher & Malt of Ealing.

Gerry Tan ● 4489d

I just think if K + M was ''Dave's fish bar'' and nr Green Man Lane, it would be nothing to write home about

Simon Wycombe ● 4489d

There was an interesting BBC Food Programme on R4 yesterday all about high quality fish and chip shops. I think one of the websites mentioned which lists the supposed top 10 Fish and Chip Shops in London was http://youngandfoodish.com/london/top-10-fish-and-chips-in-london/ and it lists Kerbisher and Malt in Ealing in its top 10. I've never been to K&M so can't comment on its quality but thought I'd pass on the information.

David Highton ● 4489d

I agree. If K & M was in a ''dodgy'' bit of Ealing no-one would rave about it as it's not actually that good!

Simon Wycombe ● 4489d

Andy's at the top of Leighton Road.Fresh fish, crispy chips and a nice bloke.

Nigel Brooks ● 4489d

The waitress had never heard of rock, either!

Simon Wycombe ● 4489d

Its a shame that there isn't a truly outstanding fish'n chip shop in Ealing...or is there such a chippy in Ealing?

Gerry Tan ● 4489d

That's a shame.Same prices, smaller fish, not a recipe for success.

Nigel Brooks ● 4489d

Went recently. More a chip and fish shop than other way around.Nice but too many chips , too much batter and not enough fish! No better than the average 'chippie' ,in truth.

Simon Wycombe ● 4489d

Perhaps you've been to K&M when the chef has had an off day.  The only thing we don't like is the lack of variety in the fish offered - would be good to sometimes have sole or even lemon sole. Apart from that K&M is OK imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4614d

Yes - sometimes they can come up trumps, I agree. That is what makes it so frustrating! It's good that they serve wine and grilled fish and various other nice options. But when you've had some half-cooked or soggy chips a few times (and they don't seem to care) you no longer look forward to going there. Maybe only at times when they are really busy the food is good and fresh.

Rachel Sanger ● 4614d

Have only been there once, the food was poor to say the least and to top it all, it was winter and the place was absolutely freezing. Not tempted to try again

Carol Atkinson ● 4617d

We've been a few times to Kerbisher and Malt and always found their fish very fresh and their carafes of white wine reasonable. They only offer a small selection of fish - they should have a few more varieties perhaps - otherwise we like the restauirant and will continue to go. Its quite noisy in there - a good sign 'cos its popular.

Gerry Tan ● 4617d

Just learned that Cook's are fighting a CPO to turn their parade into flats! Cooke's have been on that site since 1934.Get down there and make them busier than ever!As to a pie and mash shop on Boston Road, if there were competitively priced (pie, mash and liquor for under £4.00 eat in) they would do well. More than that and the Manze, Cooke's, Arment's and Kelly's shops are far more compelling.

Nigel Brooks ● 4618d

I reckon a Pie & Mash shop might do quite well on the Boston Road. Perhaps the 'Little Wonder' family should consider it!

John Walker ● 4618d

I'm nowhere near old enough to have been in a local pie and mash shop.Never even seen one but did know about them.Last few times I've been to a few in other parts of london almost all the customers have been under 30.It's real food and nowadays quite different.Think it would be great to have a good one hereabouts.

Oliver Gregan ● 4618d

Ah, didn't know that Nigel and my pal has a greengrocers on the Bush Market at the Goldhawk Rd end too! Will give it a try! Cheers!

Bud Richards ● 4618d

Sadly Bud you are probably right, glad I'm older :-)You've no need to schlep all the way over to the East though.A.Cooke's are still going strong on Goldhawk Road (by the station at the Shepherd's Bush end).

Nigel Brooks ● 4618d

With respect, isn't it the older generation that like this cuisine ? Even if someone opened a shope in Ealing, commercially it's sadly doomed to fail.The 'yoof' of today like their chicken, innit!

Bud Richards ● 4618d

There used to be a Pie Eels and Mash shop in Talbot Road behind The Olde Hat I think.  It closed down in the 70's when the Green Man Estate was built and all the cottages demolished. Hey, what goes around, comes around but not likely to get a Pie eels and mash shop again.

Brian Davis ● 4618d

NEVER eaten in one but would like to. I must make an effort to nip over to East London way and try one. Apparently it's divine!

Bud Richards ● 4618d

Oh, a Pie & Mash shop bliss :-).There is still Cooke's on Goldhawk Road but that's about it for west London. There used to be so many in my youth. Pink's in Brentford, one at Walham Green, one in Hammersmith. I was spoilt for a while when working by Tower Bridge to go most weeks to Manze's  on Tower Bridge Road(only open at lunchtimes but well worth a visit)I'd love to see one in Ealing, not some overpriced 'hand-raised, artisan' pie with crushed potatoes nonsense but a good honest Pie Mash and (parsley) Liquor shop. If it did stewed eels (and jellied as well) so much the better.

Nigel Brooks ● 4618d

Tbh I was not mad on K&M the first time I used it and it really did not make me eager to return which I expected after the reviews on this very Forum when it opened. Shame to see however that standards have dropped...

Bud Richards ● 4618d

Love Pie and Mash shops. There was a brilliant one in Greenwich near the DLR station and the Cutty Sark. They even did veggie pies and dessert pies. Really cheap and splendid. Closed down a few years ago. It's a Starbucks now.Agreed, Nothing like that locally. Now a pie and mash shop in South Ealing Road, that would be something.Never took to Eels though.Best chippy is for me also the one in Albany Road. Fish always top rate and the Kebab shop on the same parade is also very good and friendly service too.Quite agree with Oliver Gregan, it's always enjoyed more if eaten on occasion rather than every few days which some I know actually do!

Michael Brandt ● 4618d

To be honest I've had a few not so good Fish and Chip meals and was so put off by one or two that I went years without eating fish and chips.But well made, it's a superb meal and enjoyed even more if not had too often.Last week I was in Wanstead and had lunch in a Pie and Mash shop.All organic certified beef pies.2 pies, Mash and liquor and a pint of barley water all for 3.25.It was really super and I wish we had something like that here.

Oliver Gregan ● 4618d

Again I am very surprised. Being a northerner I know my fish and chips and I haven't had a bad lot from them in 30 yrs.

Keith Iddon ● 4618d

Went to the Golden Chip once on recommendation.A lunchtime.Burnt chips in dirty oil. Never went back.

Oliver Gregan ● 4618d

I am surprised by that Nigel.

Keith Iddon ● 4618d

"The one near Leighton Road has been consistently good for decades."Andy's has been good for years and has got better since Andy took the business over from his cousin.I have tried The Golden Chip three times (it is my loocal 'chippie') but I have been thoroughly underwhelmed by both the fish and, the last two times, albeit that the last time was at least two years ago, soggy chips.

Nigel Brooks ● 4618d

Golden Chip in Hanwell is by far and away the best. Well worth a trip from Ealing;I have never been disappointed with the quality of the food....and it's a family run local business too.....

Caroline Drewett ● 4618d

Golden Chips on Boston Rd Hanwell best in the borough imo. Phone them up and ask for the skin to be taken off the fish in the proper style that you never get down south.The home made fish cakes are great too as is the fried chicken. I have used this place for 30 yrs.It is a little more expensive but is very good.

Keith Iddon ● 4618d

All a bit flash in the pan.The best chippies are the long established proper ones.Ealing never had a brilliant one but Northfields has two, The one near Leighton Road has been consistently good for decades.The one in Albany road off Ealing Road in Brentford does fantastic batter and the fish is always really good and proper old style soggy chips - the sort the Germans hate!!

Oliver Gregan ● 4618d

I went there last week with friends - excellent fish, chips not quite as good but considerably better than average.

Sue Rowe ● 4619d

Oh my. I thought it was just me! Last time I went in the chips were half scalding hot and half stone cold. The lady few times have been a disappointment.  I much prefer the one next to acton town station now

Suzan Issa ● 4619d