The Smithfield, Wellington

finds a smart restaurant behind the traditional, highly regarded takeaway.

The first time I went to the Smithfield for a fish and chip takeaway was on a recommendation from a friend - a friend with very high standards I must add!

As she praised it I thought to myself "it must be good". We enjoyed our takeaway on that particular evening and while queuing had seen that in the restaurant area which is through another door there were families dining with small children and a highchair was already in situ. There were also couples of all ages dining.

So after visiting Wellington centre on a Friday afternoon several months later, John, Eddie and I decided it was nearing tea time and took the short walk to the Smithfield. The fish and chip takeaway and restaurant opened in April last year in the former pub building - it had stood with its windows boarded up after closing despite different managers trying their best to make a go of it as a pub.

It was nice to see it undergo a total refurbishment and reopen in the hope it would become a thriving business - and that it certainly is.

I had only told my husband John that it was a fish and chip shop with a seating area - admittedly I had failed to tell him he would not be finding gingham table clothes, the usual sauce sachets, waitresses wearing the traditional aprons or that it had won five stars on the council's Scores on the Doors hygiene scheme.

To say he was impressed as we walked in is an under statement. The restaurant is a totally separate room to the takeaway area with a friendly waitress who took the time to greet us and offer us a table.

She was extremely helpful and said we could take a table most appropriate for us as we had the pram and needed a highchair.

The chunky dark wooden tables and chairs are complemented by the contemporary purple and cream decor and the subtle lighting and the restaurant was clean and fresh. The toilets were also revamped and it was obvious that standards were high throughout the establishment and they deserved the five stars on Scores on the Doors.

The extensive menu caters for everyone - obviously the traditional battered fish and chips but also other options including a selection of burgers, kebabs, healthy options and grilled fish including salmon.

There were options of jacket potato or salads for people who did not want chips.

There was also an unexpected starter menu - just for the benefit of the review we thought we had better try them out.

We had the mixed platter to share - garlic mushrooms, spicy battered plaice goujons, filo prawns and calamari served with salad and dipping sauces. Neither of us are lovers of calamari but the waitress had no problem serving extra garlic mushrooms instead.

It was served piping hot and presented well and the plate was soon cleared. The only advice I would give (rather than criticism) was that it would have been nice to have been offered a small plate each to eat the starter off but the big plate it was served on was sufficient.

John went for the cod, chips and mushy peas, while I had the haddock, chips and garden peas (£6.99). The generous portions of fish were served chunky and encased in light, crispy, tasty, hot batter. After cutting through the batter the fish simply fell apart - it was gorgeous. The chips were traditional but not dripping in grease.

In fact after finishing our meals there wasn't a sign of grease left on the plates.

Although there is a children's menu, Eddie was satisfied with helping himself to ours . For once I didn't feel I had over-indulged and did not regret the decision to have them in the first place which I usually do after a takeaway.

We accompanied our meals with soft drinks but the restaurant is licensed with the offer of bottle beers/lagers and wine by the glass.

The waitress was very friendly and although she was busy and working alone, our food was served swiftly and piping hot - the presentation of the meals also got top marks.

The Smithfield is definitely worth a visit and with its reasonable prices I don't think it's worth trying to get the meals home before they go cold and have the smell lingering in the kitchen all night.

And for any review readers who are shocked a fish and chip can get four stars (I always base my rating on what they offer so therefore it is not in comparison to a fine dining Michelin star restaurant), then I suggest they make a visit themselves. I would challenge them for to find a better venue offering the traditional fish and chips.

Owners from seaside resorts with their extortionate prices should also pay a visit and take some advice too!

ADDRESS

The Smithfield, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1EA

Tel: 01952 261555