The homogenous state of UK culture is often criticised. Multi-national stores and conglomerates have supposedly taken over the high street; major labels have consumed independent artists; and the only restaurants available are chain bistros and cafes. However, it is my belief that there are plenty of independent treasures out there, both online and in the street. You just have to take the care to look for them.

Through this blog I will do that leg-work for you, introducing you to independent gems that you can then check out for yourself. Indie Treasures focuses on independent culture and enterprise in the UK, revealing shops, restaurants, designers, record labels and artists, triumphing both their autonomy and their vision and creativity. There is a huge, burgeoning independent scene out there, full of true individualism and quality, and almost always at very reasonable prices. So think of this baby as you independent guide to an independent weekend!

Saturday, 14 July 2012

Poppies Fish and Chips



 Just off Commercial Street in the heart of Spitalfields, straddled between the area’s legendary fashion market and our world famous Brick Lane is Poppies Fish and Chips. As you might expect, situated as it is amongst fashion boutiques and hipster bars, this is not your average fish and chip shop – this is excellent quality fish and chips with a vintage, retro twist. Poppies fuses old school East End values and hipster sensibilities to create a cool restaurant that has tasty, great value food.


The first thing that strikes you about Poppies is the retro feel of the place. This restaurant has an informal, friendly setting, but the strongest vibe is the 1950s style – the formica tables, the jukebox, menus written in chalk and service girls wearing aprons and headscarves. This traditional visual style is replicated in the food. Chips are served in newspaper. The menu includes all the old favourites you would expect and a good ol’ fashioned chippy, with classic cod and haddock potions alongside skate, rock, plaice, lemon sole, as well as the dreaded jellied eels. You can even get a generous potion of sticky toffee pudding or apple pie for afters. 


Poppies offers the perfect combination of traditional and fresh, posh and popular. The food is so familiar, yet of innovatively good quality. All fish is sourced fresh and sustainably from Billingsgate Fish Market. Chips are peeled and hand-cut out back. The chicken is all free-range. Even the tartar sauce is home-made. 


One of the most noteworthy elements of Poppies however is the consistent quality they offer. The food is always good. You will never get a soggy chip or sour, tasteless fish. You will always be served quickly, and can usually get a seat in the restaurant, even though they seem to always be busy. Such high levels of quality and customer service, as well as the general appeal of Poppies Fish and Chips is all down to Pop, the owner of the restaurant. Pop and his family have been serving fish and chips in the East End since 1945, and the experience shows. This restaurant is a masterpiece in traditional food, offering probably the best fish and chips in London.


Poppies is active on Twitter, FourSquare et al., and they even have a customer of the week loyalty scheme on Facebook. You can eat in or takeaway; I personally like to stop for a cone of chips and a cup of tea, eaten outside the front of the shop. Such an experience is blissfully English. I’m pretty sure I had change from £2 last time too.

http://poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/
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