FISH and chips on a Friday night – what’s not to like?

When we made our way into Harry Ramsden’s on Marine Parade we were given a nice table by the window looking out across towards the Palace Pier. Though to be fair with the huge windows surrounding the entire exterior there’s a nice view from most tables.

Harry Ramsden’s may be a nationwide brand but the newly-refurbished restaurant in Brighton feels truly charming with a classic British cafe feel which is fitting for Brighton.

I could imagine parking my Vespa (if I had one) on the seafront and dropping in with my friends.

And I was well chuffed that they had Peroni on tap.

It meant I had one of my favourite lagers straight away from the excellent and attentive staff.

The house red is good too.

It wasn’t long before I was tucking into my gorgeous king prawn cocktail.

It had some with shells on for you to peel and lots were ready to eat, all served up in a snazzy, huge glass which looked great.

For her starter my wife went for the crispy coated mushrooms served with a green leaf salad garnish and garlic mayonnaise, which was very tasty too. As requested the children’s meals arrived at the same time as the starters.

The fish fingers were a world away from the ones in your freezer.

Instead they were long, battered chunks of cod that my one-year-old loved.

My six-year-old loved her sausage and chips too, after stealing some of my prawns.

The starter portions were generous but I was still ready for my salmon and chilli fishcakes, lovely with the sweet chilli dipping sauce.

The classic cod and chips were great. The batter was the key, not at all soggy. The flaky cod inside was perfect and the chips were spot-on – not too many and again, not at all greasy. I normally find that when I fancy fish and chips it does not live up to what I hope for. But not here.

We made room for a cracking Knickerbocker Glory. My first since I was about eight years old. But that’s the way the place made me feel.

The restaurant is so smart and it was a real family night out for us and the mixture of couples and other families there that night.

This place makes sure those hoping for a memorable British seaside fish and chips will enjoy a very good one.

Arron Hendy