Tucked away on Quay Street, The Seafood Bar is a real hidden gem. This quaint little dining room is home to an impressive range of beers courtesy of Verdant Brewing and an ever-changing menu of super-fresh seafood. The kitchen uses whatever is freshest, so you never quite know what you’re going to see on the menu. That being said, you can be sure of one thing: it’ll be delicious. The interiors are pretty pared-back, with simple furnishings and a chalkboard outlining the day’s menu.
The beers here have pretty funky names, including the 8% IPA “Neal Gets Things Done” and the fruity “Maybe One More”. These, along with some sharing beers and a guest wine or two, provide the perfect refreshments to go along with the seafood here. Dishes don’t distract from the seafood being showcased. You might start with a gurnard ceviche, topped with smoked almond and grape, or deep-fried haddock goujons with sriracha mayo and pickled red onion. From there, you might see pan-fried scallops with cauliflower and curried butter, while crab might be paired simply with mixed herbs and cucumber.
Something spicy might come in the form of mussels laced with lime leaf and ginger, accompanied by a hunk of sourdough for dipping. Simpler bites are often available too, such as a fish finger butty or chips. Desserts aren’t just an afterthought here, so you might see a rhubarb and ginger trifle or stout cake with clotted cream and caramel. Occasionally, there is a six-course tasting menu with beer pairings. In that case, the dishes are a little more extravagant. Previous highlights include white crab with pickled vegetables and hollandaise, cured salmon with blood orange, pomegranate and Szechuan pepper, cod with a crispy oyster and cuttlefish with lentil ragu. Pairings typically feature the various beers from Verdant along with some guest appearances.