An Edible Voyage

May 2021 I always find that sun plus a salty breeze in the air makes me crave fish and seafood straight from the ocean, and The Crab Shed is just the place for satisfying that craving.  Situated on the quay, fish is landed straight on to their doorstep.  This is some seriously fresh fish.  The menu keeps things simple, allowing the flavours of the fish and seafood to take centre stage.   I don't usually go for fish and chips because I don't generally like batter, or chips...weird I know! But a taste of my partner's battered haddock could almost persuade me otherwise - so crispy and so incredibly light. Find The Crab Shed in the Creek car park, a little way from the hubbub of the town centre on the tranquil water's edge behind Island Street. 

April 2021 There's nothing quite like seafood that's on your plate within hours of it coming in on the boat.  The supreme freshness, the salty tang of the sea...the flavours really are out of this world.   To get your fix of the freshest, most juicily enormous Shetland mussels, stop by the ice box at the side of the road near Bixter, dig deep in to the ice, fish out a sack of mussels and get them straight in a pan with some white wine, garlic, lemon and parsley for an incredibly simple but incredibly delicious meal.   Leaving the island early the next morning, I couldn't bare to waste any of what were by far the best mussels I'd ever had, so ended up having them for breakfast... Would I recommend it? Probably not... Think I'll stick to more conventional breakfast goods, but there's a first time for everything right?   Find the ice box along the A971around Bixter.

November 2020 I'm a real fan of oysters - that refreshing saltiness that's like no other, like gulping down a breath of sea air.  When I lived in Melbourne, one of my guilty pleasures was go to the South Melbourne Market and choose myself a couple of $1 oysters to eat then and there, standing at the market stall.  So when I saw a sign for The Oyster Shed in Carbost, I had to check it out.   Paul opened The Oyster Shed in 2012, selling the oysters which he farms in Loch Harport to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy fresh Hebredian seafood.  As well as oysters, there's a wide variety of both hot and cold seafood and fish to enjoy there, perched around the occasional tables.  Grab a plate and stand outside, looking over the loch with the breeze in your hair as you savour the freshest local produce. There's also a deli style shop with an enticing display of bisques, pates, smoked and fresh fish, and some basics such as Arborio rice so you can rustle up a de...

November 2020 To devour some of Scotland's freshest fish and seafood head to the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool, and tucked off the street, overlooking the ferry port, you'll find The Seafood Shack.  Opened by local girls Kirsty and Fenella, and cooking up fish caught on the inshore fishing boats, this truck has been featured in Mary Berry's 'Everyday Life' series, as well as winning BBC Radio Four's Best Street Food, and it's easy to see why.  Fresh and locally caught seafood is cooked simply and to order, showcasing and complementing the flavours of the fish itself. I found it extremely difficult to choose between Cullen Skink, simply seared scallops or the fish wrap, but eventually decided on the latter.  It was divine.  An enormous piece of the fresher, flakiest haddock in hot and crispy tempura, wrapped up with peppery rocket and zingy but luxurious pesto mayo. A beautiful piece of fish. Find The Seafood Shack on West Argyle Street.

February 2020 I always find that the British Airways High Life magazine is a great source of inspiration for places to visit, both locally and further afield, and this is where I came across Issho-Ni.  An unassuming doorway in Bethnal Green leads in to what immediately feels like a 'cool' restaurant.  Cherry blossom and origami cranes hanging from the ceiling, and Japanese works of art occupying entire walls is a great contrast to the industrial, warehouse bones of the building. The sushi is divine.  The Our Roll is filled with fresh salmon, tuna and seabass.  Crispy salmon skin adds crunch, truffle mayo gives a luxurious richness, and tobiko pops in the mouth.  This is an exciting dish, both texture and taste wise. Next up was Squid Ink Yakisoba.  I love squid ink and often find squid ink products seem to be a little stingy with the squid ink.  There was definitely no stinginess here and, combined with the pungent crisped garl...