Tried & tasted: Wright Brothers Spitalfields

The UK has a long history of producing some of the world?s finest seafood dishes, including a vast array of shellfish harvested from the bountiful waters surrounding the island, writes Molly Dyson. Wright Brothers, with its three London locations and one Cornish establishment, showcases the country?s finest fishy fare in the form of trendy oyster bars.

My partner and I visit the Spitalfields location on a Wednesday evening and are surprised to find the place heaving already. We sit at the bar so we can watch the chefs expertly prepare the dishes. The most impressive display is how quickly they can shell oysters to serve up on iced platters.

As neither of us are fans of the delicacy, we decide to get our own starters and mains. I begin with a personal favourite, pea soup, which is served here with delicious pea and ham drop scones. He goes with Galician octopus fried with chorizo, broad beans and garlic.

For mains, I make the risky choice of a whole garlic-roasted Dorset crab served with triple-cooked chips. Unfortunately, the greasy dish proves to be a bit tricky for me and a chef kindly offers to remove the shell for me. The meat inside is sweet and doesn?t leave me as full as I thought it would. My plus-one, meanwhile, tries a shrimp burger with chips and guacamole. He says it?s an interesting take on the typical burger patty and the dish is devoured in no time.

As we feel that we still have some room left over, we take a look at the dessert menu and I immediately spot my guilty pleasure ? vanilla panna cotta. It?s being served tonight with a rhubarb sauce, but our waitress graciously brings mine plain when I explain I don?t like the fruit. My partner?s lemon yoghurt concoction is perfectly sweet and comes with a delightful pair of biscuits on the side.

With its heated market terrace, the restaurant is able to cater for semi-private dinners of up to 40 people. Plus, its pick-your-platter choices offer the ideal way to unwind with a bite to eat after a long day at work.

Wright Brothers Spitalfields, 8a Lamb Street, Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6EA; 020 7377 8706; thewrightbrothers.co.uk/restaurants/spitalfields/