Hooray! - Henry’s

HOORAY!

Massive investment in Henry’s of Hunstanton, a new ‘posh’ fish and chip restaurant in the resort

By Austen Dack I have been promising to get to the ‘new’ fish and chip restaurant Henry’s of Hunstanton since it opened on the green at the East coast resort. Henry’s sits in a prime space overlooking the town’s wonderful panoramic beach Jane Wallis, who owns The Pavillion next door (including an ice cream parlour too) which she has run for 15 years, always saw the potential in the premises, formerly the town’s Heritage Centre. She said: “I could see that it was a brilliant site and a fantastic opportunity that we could not turn down when it came on the market.” The building has been completely renovated and refurbished inside and out to house the restaurant and takeaway business, named as a nod to the resort’s founder, Henry Styleman le Strange, whose statue is a short distance away on The Green. Diners can either sit inside the restaurant, which has some wood panelling on the walls, or in the outside eating area offering

superb views across The Wash.

“We’re describing our fish and chips as ‘posh’ as we wanted to offer people a bit more in the town and are raising the bar for Hunstanton. They have been very well received by customers,” said Jane.

They pride themselves in using local producers including Marrfish, Priors butchers at Dersingham and Barsham Brewery. Even the potatoes were grown less than 20 miles away too.

We arrived for our tour with co-owner Ian Wallis just before the restaurant opened and it was great to see the couple’s plans come into fruition. Ian had taken advice from various people in the industry including Fred Capel as to where to place things. The space was fantastic, with takeaway on one side and the restaurant on the other.

“Everyone in this industry is so friendly and happy to help you,” Ian said.

Our party all ordered cod and chips, (one gluten free), except for me. I plumped for the FAS haddock with mushy peas and home-made tartare sauce on the side. We also had some incredible onion rings too.

The fish was white, juicy flaky and batter

HENRY’S

was perfectly cooked. The chips too were crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle and were cut smaller than some chip shops would do, without losing any of their taste.

“We’ve had many compliments and suggestions that we should enter the Seafish National fish and chip awards for best newcomer, so that’s what we intend to do,” said Jane. (Hoping that Seafish will allow this delay for new shops due to Covid – Austen)

As well as fish and chips, which can be cooked to cater for vegetarians, the menu includes prawn cocktails, prawn skewers, homemade smoked mackerel pate, vegetarian halloumi skewers and tempura vegetables. There is also a pan which is used for gluten-free items.

In addition, there are homemade fish cakes, chicken and steak and ale pies, salads, sausages with Henry’s gravy and grilled fish.

Lite bite meals offering half portions are available along with meals for seniors at £7.95 and a two-course pre-theatre menu (post covid) for £15, including a drink.

Afterwards we wandered down to Ian’s Ice Cream Parlour (he makes all the icecream himself) and had some lovely flavours.

The biggest surprise of the day was when head fryer ‘Ed Sheeran’ came to chat to us. A big attraction of the shop is Ed, later found out his name was really Chris.

Henry’s has led to the creation of 30 new jobs, which are a mixture of full-time, part-time and seasonal.

Check them out for yourselves they are open seven days a week throughout the year, from 11.30am to 9pm.

Be sure to say hello to Ed.

Would you like you shopped featured? Email austen@chippychat.co.uk