Although relatively new to the dining scene in Galway city, Nuisin and Ali Jalilvand's upscale 'chipper' has made a big splash. One of the Westend's greatest assets, everybody loves this friendly family-run café, well known for its cool, urban atmosphere and tasty food.
It sits among a row of terraced houses on Henry Street and, like most of the architecture around there, it is a building that could only be described as ordinary. But Henry Street has a charm of its own, a warm sense of community, and Hooked fits right in. They quickly gained a reputation for cooking the best fish and chips in the city, but the menu doesn’t stop there with everything from seafood tagliatelle and pan-fried dishes, prawn fajitas, crab cakes and chowders on offer.
The decor is repurposed timber and salvaged wood with a maritime theme, very much in keeping with the Westend bohemian vibe. While the wine list is a brief list of three reds and three whites, there is no end to the range of fish on offer, all sourced from their own factory. The fish comes all the way from next door, the adjoining 'Ali's Fish Shop', where popular fishmonger and former fisherman Ali Jalilvand supplies a good range of ultra fresh, local fish daily.
Inside the cute little shopfront Ali's daughter Nuisin and her team have more than nailed the friendly welcome. The menu is diverse and good value, with fish and chips for under €10. They have a range of specials every day, depending on what has landed that morning.
You could try the Scallop Mornay, three seared scallops served in a scallop shell with a white wine and chive cream sauce, topped with herbed breadcrumbs and parmesan. Hooked style battered prawns are fried in a crisp tempura, coated in sesame, coconut and chili. Monkfish Goujons are breaded and studded with lemon and pepper, served on white dinner plates smartly trimmed with blue, atop a pile of golden chips with tartare dip.
You would expect a place like this not to have a dessert, but they do have a couple of sweet treats like chocolate fudge cake and a BYO option as well. While on the down side vegetarian options are pretty much limited to chips and sides, the good news is that this great little restaurant won't break the bank.
Hooked is funky and fun, serving fabulous fish - a real treat for seafood lovers with none of the fuss.
