Description: I found Geales recommended in a guidebook years ago, and we return on every trip. Its a little difficult to find; you take the Circle Line and get off at Notting Hill. Leave the tube station on the south side. Farmer Street is a small alleyway blocked off from the street. It's worth all the effort, and it's no secret. Your best bet is to have a reservation or to eat early. It doesn't open for dinner until 6pm, so you might want to try lunch, which is served everyday except Sunday. The whole restaurant is smoking. This can be a problem, but it's one of the few places I'm willing to tolerate it.
We began our adventure with a starter of deep-fried calamari rings with lemon aioli. It was not a large portion, but they were large rings and were very, very tender. It was delightful.
For our main course, we had cod and chips. We all got the same thing. Sometimes I have plaice and chips, but not this time. This fish and chips almost defies description. The coating is light and flakes off, and it isn't greasy at all. The fish is the freshest you will ever taste--exquisitly white and tender, very lightly flavored. The pieces are huge, and none of us left any. The chips are nice, crispy french fries, chunky and delicious.
We washed this down with pints of ice-cold lager. I ordered a side of gherkins. I love them--sweet and tart at the same time. I even shared.
There is nothing on the menu except fish, but it runs the gamut from fish soup, prawn cocktail, and fish pie to oysters, salmon fish cakes, and lots more.
For dessert, we had some delicous sorbet, which cleansed our pallates and warmed our hearts. It was a wonderful meal with great service, a very British atmosphere, and three very contented Americans.
I can't believe I forgot to bring my camera, but oh well--my description will have to do for this visit.
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