|
Richard Trapunski | Last Updated: October 24,2008 3:01:31 pm
|
|
Fish and Chips places are a dime a dozen (almost literally), but it's hard to find a really good one. In the brand new aptly-titled Sea, the aim is to serve the best and freshest Fish and Chips this side of London town. That's no small feat considering Calgary is known for its beef, not its seafood. The key is authenticity. Just like the countless British chip shops, the place offers take-out complete with grease-soaked newspaper. Halibut comes lightly battered and well sliced, served with a healthy portion of high quality fries and tartar sauce. I'm just going to go on record and say that I'd eat my own hand if it was deep fried.
In case you're not the fanatic for fatty foods that I am, there are plenty of other seafood options (but not many non-sea treats). The Seafood Soup comes creamy and full of halibut and shrimp, while the Teriyaki Yellow Fin Tuna provides a much lighter option to the menu. Chip shops don't usually allow much room for innovation, but the Seafood Poutine is a welcome addition to the menu. So sit back in front of the large windows and get ready for some prime High Street people watching. |
 AT A GLANCE
Sea
45 High Street, Calgary, AB
403-452-3474
Seafood
McKenzie Towne
Venue:
Restaurant, Take Out
Hours:
Tue. to Thu.: 11:30 am - 8:00 pm Fri. to Sat.: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Price Range:
$ (budget)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa, American Express
|
 |
THE BUZZ
|
|
IN THE AREA
|
|
|
|
|
19 Reader Reviews | I was born and raised on the east coast, fish was regular fare. Since leaving the east I have tried fish in many places and yuck yuck nobody knew how to cook fish properly. Then I discovered SEA .......not only was the fish awesome the homemade from scratch sauces were terrific and the service ...well lets just say that the staff at Sea should be used as a role model for other restaurants . I will definetly be back and so will all my friends...great job guys and girls
1. Valerie McKeigan's Review :: January 22, 2010 Valerie McKeigan's Rating: 4 Stars |
I headed out to the sea this weekend with my boyfriend and another couple who had been raving about the place for months. i was unhappy at having to drive from downtown to the suburbs and frankly did not buy all the hype i had been hearing from our friends. my experience of dining in the suburbs has always been of boring food, boring servers, boring music, boring, boring!
When we walked in I was instantly disarmed by the very cool vibe they have going on, Michael Franti was playing, weird art on the walls (Elvis(The King), Andy Warhol & The Queen of England) and EVERYONE seemed so damned happy. My server was perhaps the most genuine gracious person i have encountered in the hospitality industry in a very long time. Honestly, these people are like a group of joyful tattooed hippies, here to dispense the love and delicious food.
Our meal Squid Vicious (how cool),Halibut and Chips with the most delicious home-made tartar sauce and HOME-MADE lemon meringue pie with GINGERBREAD CRUST was amazing!!! did I mention it's really reasonably priced.
The restaurant was packed, with a lineup out the door, the entire time we were there and the reason is obvious. If you want a great night out, with some wonderful people and some awesome homecooked food, make the drive to McKenzie Town...you will be happy you did!!
2. Janessa And Toby's Review :: January 21, 2010 Janessa And Toby's Rating: 4 Stars |
My parents brought us up in their F & C in Toronto. Authentic as they come, I think the batter recipe was carried over from London on the boat close to her heart.
I moved to Calgary in 88 and have NEVER had F&C like home.
.Sea is a pleasant surprise and my whole family and all my friends LOVE it.
Stay away from the Lemon Meringue on Gingerbread- It's all mine!
:) unbelievable. I only like "lemon" squeezed over my Halibut, now they have me eating PIE!
Love it.
yum.
3. Barb Chris N Emma's Review :: December 22, 2009 Barb Chris N Emma's Rating: 4 Stars |
Jesse & Mike King plus the fantastic staff
We are so pleased with your service, excellent menu options and such pleasant customer service that we have informed all our colleagues and friends. All the food is soooo nice.... thank you for eveything.
We will all be return customers... forever.
Deb & Ed plus so many others.
Your the best....XOXO
Keep Smiling
4. Deb & Ed's Review :: October 21, 2009 Deb & Ed's Rating: Stars |
Three friends and I ate there and had a wonderful meal. The service was beyond friendly... they were all so polite and kind. We have been back many times due to their courteous service and excellent food. I will always go there with my companions..no doubt. Thank you so much for the fantastic and cheerful service including the food of course. Your meals are superb.
Sincerely
Ed Tierney and friends
5. Ed Tierney's Review :: October 21, 2009 Ed Tierney's Rating: 4 Stars |
what can I say? the staff, the front of house and kitchen, the head chef .... all of these people make up my favourite restaurant SEA.
The menu is fantastic. The food is mouth watering. I have never had such amazing service. The handsome young waiter working front of house is as charming and professional as can be. I can taste the love that the owners and cooks hold for their business in the fabulous fish!
6. C Davis 's Review :: October 08, 2009 C Davis 's Rating: 4 Stars |
As a dedicated staff member of Sea. Fish 'n' Chips. I'd just like to let all of our loving, loyal customers know, that the kindness and compassion you treat all employee's at Sea, is the exact reason we are able to provide you with the service we do. I absolutely LOVE my job( i speak for all staff members), and am thankful for all the wonderful people who embrace what we're trying to 'bring to the table'.
-thank you thank you thank you Dave, if it werent for people like you, fish slinging wouldnt be the same!!
see you next week!
7. Laura's Review :: October 03, 2009 Laura's Rating: Stars |
As an English immigrant I can tell you that Sea Fish n' Chips is as authentic as they come around here.
I live way on the other side of the city, but I will certainly make the trek over there again. Keep up the great work!
8. Melissa's Review :: October 02, 2009 Melissa's Rating: Stars |
As a regular customer of Sea over the year we have lived here in Calgary I think I can give an honest and accurate review so here goes...
First you can't get any better than Laura, Jesse and the rest of the staff for the hospitality you receive when you enter Sea.
Usually I take away and get 2 piece Haddock and Large Chips (yes it's me English Dave, Laura) and to answer Keiths review earlier the portions I get are substantial(large is more than enough for 2 normal appetites) but I have what I call a healthy appetite! and I'm always bursting at the seams after my usual take out, I loved my fish and chips back home but I have to say the fish and chips at Sea are equal to or better than anything I could get at home, they even do mushy peas and sometimes curry sauce!
Tonight we decided or should I say persuaded by Laura to try dining in instead of dashing off with our supper and again service was excellent and the food was tremendous, they even cater to my wifes preference of having grilled haddock without the batter!
I think had Jesse or any of the staff had known about Keiths problems they would have bent over backwards to satisfy him.
Credit to Jesse and her staff for the addition of specials on the menu, I always get the same thing but it`s nice to see the menu kept interesting!
So give it a go and try the best fish and chips this side of Whitby you will go back!
So keep up the good work Jesse your food keeps me coming back week after week and quality and portions have been excellent and consistant.
See you next week...
English Dave
9. Dave 's Review :: October 01, 2009 Dave 's Rating: 4 Stars |
YUM!!! Is all I have to say... after living in England for many years and sampling different fish & chips, Sea's offerings are delicious, authentic and mouthwatering!!! I would definitely recommend this restaurant. Ignore the bad review below, I've eaten there many times and it has always been good!!
10. Megan's Review :: August 28, 2009 Megan's Rating: 4 Stars |
Why isn't there a 5 Stars, as if there was this would most def get 5 stars.
WOW, fantastic, delicious and thank you SEA! I'm from England, and we've been here a year. I was feeling really home sick recently and a Canadian friend of mine told me about SEA and how her English co-workers had tried it out and loved it.
So today we went and it was Sunday so it was Take out Only.
When I was a child, my family has always loved fish and chips, so in England when I was little we'd seek out the best chip shop locally and whereever we stayed on holiday around England.
Sea, for us, (my hubby and 3 kids) surpassed many chip shops in England. We were very very impressed and the newspaper and the white paper was all there and the mushy peas, my husband usually kicks a stink in England when I order them, but today even he ATE them. I LOVE mushy peas. I don't like poor quality fish and actually refuse to eat it. So in England I'd usually just have the chips mushy peas and maybe a sausage. Today I swiped the GORGEOUS cod of my darling husbands plate.
The chips are less greasy than England too so that's an added bonus! but even more delicious! The care and pride they take in their food is fabulous.
The portions were good and we were very very pleased! Thank you SEA! Can't recommend SEA enough! Everyone in Calgary, flock to the SEA!
My only complaint is, that I have missed a whole year of eating their delicious food!
Melanie
Rating them *****
11. Melanie's Review :: August 16, 2009 Melanie's Rating: 4 Stars |
so awesome! i ate at sea for the first time and everything was so nice. the menu, the decor, the staff... we had the squid vicious (calamari) and popcorn shrimp for appetizers and the calamari was insanely delicious. our waitress guided us with the "mains" and we had yummy cod and yam fries with homemade red roasted red pepper aoili. everything was seriously nice. the atmosphere is perfect for anyone who wants to hang out, listen to Elvis and eat really delicious food!
12. Tessa's Review :: June 27, 2009 Tessa's Rating: 4 Stars |
As the owner of Sea. Fish n' Chips, i check this site regularly to see how we are doing in the eyes of our customers. Great quality food, made with love and fantastic customer service is at the core of who we are.
I was saddened to read Keith's review and to know that he had a unpleasant experience at Sea. I would however, like to address his specific complaint. We certainly HAVE NOT decreased our portion sizes and NOTHING we do is ever in attempts to "save money", especially if it relates to the quality of our food or service.
I wish every meal, of the thousands we prepare each week would leave my kitchen "perfect", but unfortunately this is just not possible. There are many variables that effect how each piece of fish looks and tastes once it reaches the plate. We all try extremely hard to ensure only the highest quality fish n' chips reach our customers, but we are only human and we will make mistakes.
Keith, having not addressed this complaint with myself or my staff did not give us the opportunity to make it right, which we would have happily and immediatley done. To assume that our intention was to "rip off" our customers is certainly unfair.
I would like to thank everyone for their continuing feedback and assure all our customers that we are absolutely dedicated to providing high quality food, prepared with love and care at a fair price.
jesse king
13. Jesse King's Review :: June 01, 2009 Jesse King's Rating: Stars |
We just had some halibut from Sea in McKenzie towne. It's too bad there isn't a rating of 0 Stars as I would have used it. The chips were good but the fish was disgusting. I was cut so thin and battered so much, we couldn't tell what kind of fish it was. The batter was hard as was the fish. All in all a terrible experience and extremely poor value " Rip Off". We have had fish and chips from Sea before and it was very good. Perhaps they are trying to save money; a sure way to lose customers. We won't be back if this is the quality they are offering.
14. Keith's Review :: May 29, 2009 Keith's Rating: 1 Stars |
I just finished my amazing dinner of halibut fish and chips and had to write a complementary review. When I arrive to pick up my take out order it was not quite ready so the owner offered me "a glass of ice water, tea, or coffee...anything to make myself at home while I wait" I accepted a glass of ice water and took in the quaint relaxed decor while I spent just a few extra minutes for my piping hot freshly made food to come out.
The side of fries was perfectly cooked--tender on the inside, crisp on the outside. The cuts of Halibut were generous, and five pieces managed to feed a family of four (the order was originally for two people, but the other members couldn't resist) I also got the seafood chowder, which surpassed my expectations--the left overs are in my fridge for tomorrow's lunch!
Overall, I know I'm going back. The service was exceptional--something of a rare find these days. The food was outstanding, and the Saturday-newspaper-wrapped-fish was the cherry atop of a perfect meal.
15. Summer's Review :: May 26, 2009 Summer's Rating: 4 Stars |
i dropped by sea. fish n' chips on saturday night for some take-away, it was very, very busy. i placed my order with the most delightful young lady, who was working extremely hard to keep the throng of waiting patrons happy. both the servers, in fact, were gracious and efficient and seemed genuinely happy to be doing their jobs.
after recieving my food all wrapped up in newspaper and piping hot, i headed home. the fish and chips were great, as usual and the high street greens and sesame vinigarette were really amazing...
unfortunately the 6 battered jumbo prawns i had ordered were missing. i phoned the restaurant and was immediately put through to the manager or owner, i'm not sure which, after i explained my situation she apologized and then asked me, "what can i do to make this right for you?" i could hear the clamour of the busy kitchen in the background and yet she took the time to patiently listen and then problem solve a solution with me... WOW!, if only all businesses conducted themselves in a similiar manner.
i will surely return to sea. again and again, not only for their delicious fish and chips but for the great care they show for their customers.
16. Max's Review :: March 16, 2009 Max's Rating: 4 Stars |
I am not a fish fan, so when my parents decided on Sea. for dinner I was excited in the least. I arrived and found that there were non-seafood options on the menu. A Ragin' Cajun Chicken Burger, and a Kharma Burger (veggie). I was also allowed to sub in yam fries instead of the reuglar fries.
Everything from my waiter (who looked like Hugh Grant, and Hugh Laurie combined), to my food (Ragin' Cajun Chicken Burger), and the Pop Shoppe soda was excellent.
I will definately return and recommened this place to everyone!
17. Beach's Review :: January 17, 2009 Beach's Rating: 4 Stars |
Excellent seafood chowder - the best I've had in years, despite being in landlocked Calgary! The waitress was professional and lovely, and handled a table of clumsy construction workers and their mishaps with humour and grace.
I had the "small" cup of chowder for $3 which was actually a substantial bowl and very filling. I also had the mixed wild greens salad, which was really super-fresh butter lettuce with a mound of shredded beetroot, a mound of shredded carrots, thick slices of cucumber and really red tomatoes. What a treat for $5!! My total bill was $8.40, and I left a $4 tip because everything was so excellent.
The addition of an excellent piece of fresh bread or a nice dinner roll would be the only improvement to the food.
The only downside in this restaurant was that the kitchen staff were loud, and the kitchen is not completely closed off from the small dining area. There were a few spicy words overheard, but not in anger, thankfully. They were having a boisterous good time, and considerintg the quality and presentation of the food, and the value, I can forgive them!!
I just imagined them to be some salty sailors moved inland to give Calgary a taste of real fresh, quality seafood dinners, at a bargain.
18. Lori's Review :: January 06, 2009 Lori's Rating: 3 Stars |
I love my fish and chips.... but regularly I do not find a great place to eat in calgary.... But this place makes me coming back for more... a definite yes to my menu!
19. Anonymous's Review :: November 20, 2008 Anonymous's Rating: Stars |
| Click here to view all 19 reviews |
|
|
45 High Street, Calgary, AB |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
MBO Calgary :: Calgary Restaurants & Dining Guide
