So, I’d been meaning to check out this Portside Seafood Restaurant in Cambridge for a while. Heard a few mates talking about it, you know, the usual “best fish in town” kind of chat. I’m always a bit skeptical about those claims, everyone’s got their favourite, right? But I had a free afternoon last week, weather wasn’t too bad for a change, and I thought, why not, let’s give it a go.
Getting There and First Impressions
Finding parking near the centre of Cambridge is always a bit of an adventure, isn’t it? Drove around for a good ten minutes before I snagged a spot that wasn’t a mile away. Anyway, I eventually found Portside. It’s not a massive, flashy place, which I actually quite liked. It looked like a proper, no-nonsense seafood spot. Walked in, and it had that kind of busy but not chaotic vibe. There were a few folks already tucking in, which is usually a good sign.
What I Decided to Order
I took a look at the menu. They had a decent selection, all the usual suspects you’d expect from a seafood place. I was tempted by a few things, but you know, sometimes you just crave a classic. So, I decided to start with half a dozen oysters. Can’t really go wrong with oysters if they’re fresh, can you? And then, for the main event, I went for the cod and chips. A true test of any seafood joint, in my opinion.
The chap who took my order was friendly enough, didn’t rush me, which I appreciate. Sometimes you go into these places and they’re hovering over you before you’ve even had a chance to properly read the menu.
The Food Experience
The oysters came out pretty quick. They were good! Nice and fresh, with that clean, salty taste. Came with the usual lemon and Tabasco. Happy with those. A good start.
Then the fish and chips arrived. Decent portion size, I’ll give them that. The fish, the cod, was flaky and the batter was crispy. That’s the main thing, isn’t it? Crispy batter. Nothing worse than soggy batter. The chips were proper chunky chips, not those skinny fries you get in some places. They were good too, well-cooked. Plenty of salt and vinegar on the table, which is essential.
I just sat there, enjoying my meal, watching the world go by outside the window. It’s funny, sometimes the simplest meals are the most satisfying. I wasn’t expecting culinary fireworks or anything, just good, honest seafood, and that’s pretty much what I got.
Final Thoughts
So, after I’d finished up, paid the bill, which was reasonable enough for Cambridge, I headed off. Overall, it was a decent experience. Portside delivered what it promised. It’s not a fancy, fine-dining kind of place, but if you’re after some straightforward, tasty seafood, especially fish and chips, then it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.
Would I say it’s the “best fish in town”? Well, that’s a big claim. I’ve had a lot of fish and chips in my time! But it’s definitely up there. It’s a solid, reliable option. I’d go back, yeah, if I was in the mood for that kind of meal again and happened to be nearby. Sometimes, that’s all you need from a restaurant, right? Good food, no fuss.
