The all-new bigger-and-better Fish&Forest is set to open in York this week.
Fish&Forest will open on Grape Lane this Thursday, 8 August.
But you’d be lucky to get a table straight away, as the restaurant is already fully booked all weekend with a lot of August already booked up too.
YorkMix took a look inside to get a glimpse of the transformed venue and to find out more about the all-new Fish&Forest from chef Stephen Andrews.
The restaurant is in the former 1331 bar, which was previously owned and run by Stephen’s parents. The Fish&Forest restaurant and bar will operate on the ground floor of the building.
It was based in Micklegate from 2018. It’s sibling establishment, Notes Wine Bar, now operates there.
Inside the old 1331, the look has been transformed. Chef Stephen has colour blocked the whole building to a dark blue. On one of the walls is a striking mural of a mackerel, painted by local artist Dan Cimmermann.
“Changing the way that it feels as soon as you walk in was one of our biggest things,” Stephen told YorkMix. “Then also giving our own little stamp to the building, with our style and brand that we had before.
“We don’t want to change what we do or who we are – we just want to enhance it.”
The menu
The restaurant is still ‘tinkering with some ideas’ for the menu, but it will stay predominantly fish, with game, veggie and vegan options.
“Our menu sticks with what we did before – it’s day boat, line-caught fish. I get a text message the night before and that’s how I’m going to decide what’s going on my menu.
“I’m probably going to have the Mackerel Kiev back on my first menu,” Stephen revealed. “It would be a bit silly if I didn’t seeing as I’ve got a giant mackerel on my wall.”
Now the new kitchen is bigger in size, Fish&Forest have extended their starter offering from four to eight. The dishes will range in price, with the price fluctuating depending on what is in on that day.
Starters could be between £6-£15, with main courses between £23-£30.
“I try my hardest to be fair and honest on pricing,” said Stephen. “We only go for the highest quality. We believe in supporting local fishermen, or local game shoots and veg suppliers.”
As well the main restaurant area, the enhanced Fish&Forest will also feature a bar, courtyard and garden.
Special cocktails
Special cocktails have been created for Fish&Forest by Luke Boyes, one of the general managers at both Fish&Forest and Notes Wine Bar.
Luke has been crafting concoctions using unique spirits “which I’m struggling to see anywhere else in York” and has also put his own twists on the classics.
As part of their ethos of sustainability and having as little waste as possible, Luke also has ideas to use leftover carrot or beetroot peel to create syrups for his cocktails.
The bar will feature a big communal table where patrons can come and have an early drink or sit and relax with some nibbles. The snack menu, which is available all day, will include tasty treats like oysters and cured fish.
The forthcoming garden area will feature booth seating and be a cosy and relaxed environment.
“We really want to have a good balance between a restaurant and somewhere you can come and have a nice, casual drink.
“It’s just finding that fine line because we don’t want to sway towards too much like a bar – we are first and foremost a restaurant.
“We really want our regulars and local guests to come back and love it and see that it’s still true to Fish&Forest. Of course, with York being a tourist town we do want to attract the tourists too.
“We’re aiming for creating that unique neighbourhood vibe that you get when you walk around a suburb and everyone knows everyone. It’s making sure everything feels personal.”
Birthday fizz
Personal touches at Fish&Forest include providing a glass of fizz on arrival if it’s a birthday celebration, and doing something special for those celebrating an anniversary.
“We’ve got a good handful of regulars that have all made really nice comments on their booking notes, and are super excited to come back. It makes us really proud and honoured that they would choose to come back to us.”
Fish&Forest are also currently hiring for chef and floor staff positions – to find out more about how to apply, visit their Instagram page here.
With opening so close now, Stephen is raring to go and to welcome people back to a new era of Fish&Forest that’s staying true to its roots.
“I’m 99% sure people are going to come in and say that it’s impressive – I can’t see them coming in and not enjoying what we’ve done.
“I’m just excited to see all the people back!”
Restaurant service will start from 12pm to 2pm, and then will resume again at 5:30pm until 9pm.
The bar will stay open between services and will close around 11pm, with the snack menu available all day. There are also plans for the bar to open between 9am and 12pm for coffee and pastries.
To find out more and to make a reservation, visit the Fish&Forest website.