The Ship, Christchurch

For the attention of the manager:

I would like to bring to your attention the substandard quality of food served on a recent trip to the Brasserie. On Thursday the 2nd of September on a day out and about in the town with our two children my husband suggesting that we try the The Ship Seafood Brasserie. Being a Fishery Officer and having both a keen interest and love of seafood I was enthusiastic about going. We entered the restaurant which I must say looked clean and well presented. My husband and I accompanied by our two children decided on the special menu and two children�s meals.

Firstly the children�s meals, the chips were black, either the oil needed to be changed or the chips had been previously cooked and reheated in the oil thus overcooking them and the Haddock goujons were ok, if not a little greasy; the portion sizes were fair.

The starters: my husband had the mussels which were okay but the portion size was very small. My soup however was both cold and tasted like most of the beach was left in it. I was ready to complain at this point but thought I would reserve judgement for the mains.

The main course: My husband had the salmon and potatoes with red onions. Firstly his salmon was the size of a postage stamp and overcooked, he had a huge portion of thickly cut gooey onions which did not complement the fish and potatoes with no butter or herbs - just slightly undercooked potatoes in a dish, he was not impressed. My main was the hake and Mediterranean couscous. The portion size of the couscous was pathetic - about a heaped dessert soon with no real Mediterranean flavour. The hake which was served on the bone was raw in the middle and the sauce a salty slime that I can only liken to something that is not fit to grace the page of even this letter. It was inedible. At this point I was ready to let our waitress ( Who was ill informed about the source of the seafood served ) know of my disgust at the meal we had just been served. I asked too talk with the Manager, we waited a while but in the end left without any managerial acceptance of responsibility .My husband being a more reserved character asked me not to let this spoil a rare family day out and with my young son becoming bored and fidgety I was encouraged to leave the restaurant . My husband and daughter enjoyed a bowl of ice cream each which with the bread was the best part of the meal by far.

The restaurant area is to the back of the building. We were seated at one of eight tables. For people who smoke you have a small paved outside area, however you have to walk through the restaurant to get to it. ( Each time the outside door was open a draft of cold smoke smelly air blew in, which happen a lot, people going for a quick smoke ) which left the restaurant feeling cold.

Having spent �50.00 on what was supposed to be a lovely family dinner before a busy meeting the following day was the worst meal my family and I have ever eaten. I would certainly advise anyone keen to try some local shellfish that THE SHIP Brasserie was not the place to go, Do not waste your money.

Food has the ability to make a great day better and leave you feeling satisfied and happy. Such a poor meal left us all hungry and disgruntled and rather poorer that we had set out.

We will certainly not be returning it was a disgrace.

5 Sep 2010 17:35