“It’s a really exciting time for us and we can’t wait to be serving customers again.”
So says Stephen Andrews, who has set a date for the opening of his all-new Fish&Forest restaurant.
Work is well underway to transform the former 1331 bar on Grape Lane into the restaurant.
And it will open its doors on Wednesday, August 7.
Fish&Forest, based in Micklegate since 2018, has moved to the downstairs of the former 1331 bar, previously owned and run by Stephen’s parents.
It is being given “a luxurious new look”. Artist Dan Cimmermann has been commissioned to paint one of the walls with a giant mackerel. His work will also adorn the walls and be on sale at the venue.
Stephen said: “We’ll still be serving seasonal and sustainable fish, predominately from UK waters, game from local estates and forest foods. We haven’t changed our concept, just enhanced our offering.”
There will be an expanded starters section to give diners more choice, he said.
“At Fish&Forest’s core is high-quality food that is reasonably priced. It’s why we offer an a la carte menu – and you don’t usually see this level of quality unless it’s a tasting menu, but they are out of reach for a lot of people.
“We want our guests to experience something special, but without breaking the bank.”
New cocktails
The menu will change regularly to reflect seasonally fresh ingredients, and will feature dishes using spider crab, wild bass, halibut and venison.
Fish&Forest will feature a bar area, a communal table and a courtyard outside offering a snacks menu which will include oysters and cured fish.
“Everything we serve will be 100% prepared and made by us, cured in-house and butchered in-house. I am honing in on sustainability, where the fish comes from what meat we are getting,” said Stephen.
“While I have loved our time at Micklegate, the new premises will allow me and the team to push ourselves to the next level and be bolder in what we do.”
Luke Boyes is one of the general managers at both Fish & Forest and Notes Wine Bar and will also oversee bar offering – which will include special cocktails designed to work with the flavours of Stephen’s dishes.
“The cocktails are researched and studied and will go through a trial process before they are perfected. We will be making our own syrups, cordials and foaming agents as well as spirit infusions to complement the food at Fish & Forest,” said Luke.
Lunch will be served from noon to 2pm and dinner from 5.30pm to 9.30pm. The bar and courtyard will operate a walk-in service. To make a table booking, visit the website.