How a Leeds bistro is making fish and chips a lot more fancy

For years it has been the nation’s favourite take-away and with it being National Fish and Chip day tomorrow - what better excuse to tuck into a plateful?

However, the Call Lane bistro, Arts Cafe, is asking the controversial question - classic or contemporary?

Two dishes will go head-to-head for one of the best days in the British culinary calendar and customers are asked to vote on which should have a permanent ‘plaice’ on the menu.

First is proper fish and chips with haddock fillets in beer batter, twice-cooked chips and crushed peas and homemade tartar sauce.

A staple on the Arts Cafe menu since it opened in 1994 this quintessentially British dish is consistently voted as one of the best in Leeds on Trip Advisor.

Now head chef Jamie Clinton, who also works at sister restaurant Shears Yard, wants to make fish and chips fancy - swapping the fried for foam and chips for scraps.

Mr Clinton explained: “For this special, I’ve chosen sustainable roast cod, complimented with a gherkin ketchup, crispy potato scraps, peas cooked with ale and ham, and pickled onion foam. Think of it as the finer dining experience of your usual fish and chips.“We’re intrigued to find out the fish and chip preferences of the people of Leeds. Join us for a very special fish and chip Friday, and make your vote count.”

If successful, the contemporary Fish & Chip special will become a more permanent fixture on the menu.