Restaurants

A humble local takeaway and adjacent restaurant that’s popular with young groups and older couples, Nautilus makes little effort to attract custom by its decor (though elsewhere the fruit-illustrated condiment trays would be fashionably kitsch). Instead, this pristine, family-run outfit successfully relies on friendly service and quality cooking. The menu extends from chicken and scampi to dover sole: fillets and cutlets, fried in matzo or grilled. The prices may shock at first, yet portions are gigantic and prime fish are handled with aplomb. A plaice fillet stretched across the plate, so there was barely room for the token wedge of tomato and torn lettuce. For our other choice, we cut open the crisp orange-brown crust of piping-hot haddock to reveal steaming moist white flesh beneath – quite glorious. Add a bowl of houmous or taramasalata to start, accompany with pickles and coleslaw and you’ll have no room for the ready-made desserts from Disotto’s (Nautilus knows to stick to what it does best). Carafes of wine are shaped like vinegar bottles, and the irony wasn’t lost on us. We’ll return though, for the warmth of the welcome and excellent fried fish.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009