Taking over a huge building directly on Poole Quay, previously home to Purbeck Pottery's shop which was, looking back, an exceptionally strange use of such a huge, visually impactful building. Stripped back and beautifully decorated, the building is barely recognisable from its previous life of playing host to floral ceramics and kitsch polkadot-puppy doorstops.
A delightful wood burner adds a sense of homeliness, unusual in such a huge space, and extremely welcome considering the howling winds and driving rain outside, whilst the tables are simply laid and the decor tastefully translates the nautical feel of the menu and, indeed, location.
With an opening date of 27th January, a select few bloggers and press were invited along for an intimate evening with Chef Director - Kirk Gosden - who talked us through the company's sea-to-plate journey, which begins with Skipper Nick Rich, aboard the Rockfisher. Heading out for just 3.5 hours at a time, Nick sells 100% of his catch to Rockfish, who then move this straight to their Fish Room, along with fish purchased from Brixham Market, and then off to any one of the eight restaurants. This not only ensures the absolute freshest fish available, but provides an ever changing and diverse menu.
Sustainability is key, and responsibly sourcing of every single piece of fish which is served.
With that all in mind, I was truly salivating at the opportunity to taste some of this seafood...and let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint!
With the restaurant manager and staff now at the helm, we were treated to a seemingly endless array of utterly mouthwatering fish and seafood, beginning with nibbles of olives, peppers, pickled anchovies and cockles. These accompanied an absolutely lovely white wine made by the company, for the company only. We were informed that the wine was made to mimic the feeling of squeezing fresh lemon over fish...and I kind of get it! Fresh and crisp for sure, a great wine and a perfect accompaniment for the seafood we had ahead of us.
Also on the Rockfish drinks menu was their very own gin, which of course caught my eye and we were kindly offered a sample of. I will probably do an entirely separate blog post for this gin as I actually really loved it and otherwise I'll waffle on about gin, as I do, and we shall be here all week!
So back to the food.
Next up were appetisers of double smoked salmon with a mustard, mayonnaise and dill cream topped with rocket, salt and pepper cuttlefish (an exceptionally sustainable fish which when fried both resembles and tastes just like squid....utterly delicious), sardines, and scallops in garlic which were just to die for.
Mains swiftly followed and we were treated to chargrilled monkfish tails with pesto, a whole roasted gurnard, battered pout and cuttlefish smothered in melted butter and garlic (I have in my notes - 'Better than Sex' - so it must have been pretty darn good!)
To accompany there were unlimited fries and salad, and an in-house-made tartare sauce which was heavy on the dill which I LOVED, probably the best tartare I have tasted. Even the pepper mills offered up a unique taste, loaded with white, black and another peppercorn I cannot for the life of me remember the name of (shoddy note taking on my part due to being heavily distracted by the cuttlefish) but gave the pepper a delicious citrus burst, akin to grapefruit. Delightful.
Desserts followed, one of which I was unable to sample due to my allergies, but the gluten free churros will appeal to any with a sweet tooth and are dusted with cinnamon which is just the most delicious aroma....and then a 'Winter Mess', a unique take on the classic Eton Mess, using stewed apples, cinnamon and toffee flavours which gave it the incredible taste of an Apple Strudel but with chewy meringue and ice cream, piled into a sundae glass. Incredible.
Overall, I simply cannot recommend this place more highly. For lovers of seafood, this is certainly
the place to go! Rockfish opens on the 27th of this month and I highly suggest you book a table asap! you will not be disappointed.
Thank you so much to Kirk, Laura, and the team at Rockfish Poole for such an awesome evening, it was great to meet you all and I am sure I will see you again soon.
Menus are available online but please bear in mind that the specials will change daily, kids menu available.
"Tomorrows fish are still in the sea"
Emma-Louise
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