Marine, Whitby

This restaurant was the first one we dined in together when we first came to Whitby.  We were out late looking for a place to eat and we found Marine.  I say 'found', it's slap bang on the quayside opposite the fortune teller.  Ever since we first ate here, we make a point of coming every time we are in town.

As we entered this time, we were greeted by a gentleman on a piano.  He was taking requests and whilst he may not have had a classical voice, he was very talented and he kept the atmosphere upbeat without being overbearing.  It was very inviting, especially when it was about -10 degrees outside.  The seasonal menu boasted all kinds of seafood, from mussels and oysters to lobster and paella.  There is also a meat section, but as I said in my previous post, I'm strictly a seafood girl when I hit the coast.  Especially when it's so fresh (caught that morning). 

We both plumped for the seafood chowder to start.  According to James,a chowder is always seafood, but I won't hold that against them.  It was full of lumps of fresh fish and clams.  The broth was thick and creamy, the flavour was deep and satisfying.  I have to say, it was very filling for a starter.  James had it previously and it was just as good as we remember.

For a main I had the fisherman's pie.  Mistake.  The pie itself was gorgeous.  The mash that topped it was crispy on top without being burnt, the sauce was thick, rich and buttery. It was billed as having prawns, chunks of fish and queen scallops.  I found one scallop which was perfectly cooked, fat and meaty.  The prawns and the fish in turn were each very well cooked.  But the sauce itself was cloying and lacking in seasoning, and I have to admit, after the chowder this dish was simply too rich and filling for me.  I would have each of the courses again, but not one after the other.  For a chowder starter one should choose a lighter main and vice versa.  James, it being his birthday, opted for a whole lobster.  Whilst more expensive then when last we had them, for a fresh lobster cooked with either thermidor or plain with a drizzle of lemon for less that £20 can't really be argued with.  James had it with thermidor.  Again, the sauce was too rich for me but he loved it.  It was meaty and salty, and came with a little grappling hook stick thing for pulling the last bits of lobster out of the shell.  James, being a caveman, didn't need such a fiddly thing.  The lobster was served with salad, fries and a wedge of lemon.  The fries were crisp but nothing extra special.

 
I give Marine a 9/10.  The food was delicious, the atmosphere fantastic and the wine list extensive.  We opted for the house sauvignon blanc and it was light and zesty, perfect accompaniment with so much seafood.  I tend to mark down anything I have to add extra seasoning to, but still my favourite restaurant yet in Whitby.