Before I start this post, I want to apologise for the pictures. They’re not my best handiwork, and their editing is, well, a bit meh. It was done in a rush, and when I’m tired and grumpy – I’ve just run four events for Manchester Science Festival and done a talk for the British Science Association, and been in Cardiff for Gin Festival and am doing the day job. To call me tired, and a little bit broken would be the understatement of the year.
This is why I’m a post down this week – I’ve been everywhere but in front of my computer to write a blog post.
But enough of my whinging. Normal service must resume! And resume it shall with a little favourite of mine.
I love the Hip Hop Chip Shop. I first heard about them through a work colleague, who gave me a little heads up and told me to follow these guys. So I did. And now, years later, they’ve set up shop in Kosmonaut. About bloody time. I loved them at the Kitchens, I adore their mobile set up – it was my port of call for my only visit to the MFDF Hub this year – but for some reason, this fits.
And catching up with Ozzie on site, he seems relaxed, confident. Happy.
A happy chef, makes happy food. We were excited.
And may have over ordered.
The classic on the menu is the Feastie Boys. Battered fish biters, chips, minty mushy peas and tartare sauce – crisp batter, soft just-cooked fish, minty mushy peas that you can tell are home made, and a rich tartare sauce. It’s one of my favourites. But I’m going to suggest you try something else.
Try the DJ Kool Jerk. Jerk batter fish, battered plantain and scotch bonnet pickled pepper. Spicy, but not killer hot by any means, this was stand out for both myself and my date. Spice and fish is nothing to be afraid of, especially when it’s done this well. And the pickle? Perfectly astringent to cut through the soft, warm flavour of the battered plaintain.
If meat is your thing, then you might need a little sausage in your life. Meat Junkie Meal features chilli batter sausage wrapped in bacon, and chips served with curry sauce. And yes, we sampled a little mini version (we’re greedy, but know our limits!) and they were indeed full of meaty goodness.
But we’d also urge you to try the sides.
Mushy pea fritters. They are ridiculously good – soft light, but flavourful, and dunked in gravy, or for that matter their homemade curry sauce… So good.
In fact just bring me a tub of the gravy and one of the curry sauce and a spoon and I’ll be a happy bird.
The gravy takes 4 days to make – no granules here thank you very much, and the curry – it’s soft, rich, like a proper dahl with a gentle spice that makes you want to pour it over everything.
And those onion rings… They’re more like a giant bangle than food. But taste much better in their crisp chilli batter.
Don’t worry if you’re veggie, they’ve got their gorgeous deep fried halloumi (Halloumi Myself and I) and Vegangstarr Meal (v/vg) with soda battered vegan sausage, chips and minty mushy peas.
If you have room – and we really, really didn’t – there’s a great sounding dessert menu, including a Gin ‘n’ Juice Sorbet. Blood orange sorbet with bulldog gin and dried citrus.
I suspect that Kosmonaut might be seeing a little bit more of me.
With thanks to both The Hip Hop Chip Shop and Kosmonaut for letting us sample the menu. We’re very glad we skipped lunch. Totally worth it.