Review of Wanstead Shell Shack

shellshackSuki Orange, Wansteadium’s food blogger, writes:

sukibigI know, I know, I’ve been slacking on my duty to test and blog about Wanstead culinary developments. Actually, to be honest, I’ve still been doing the testing, naturellement. It’s the blogging bit which has eluded me a bit. I’ve had the Wanstead Shell Shack on my to-blog list for a while, so I’m particularly grateful to David Plane (@planey2k), a Wansteadium reader who is more usually blogging about the markets and golf, for stepping up (and thanks to his wife Lesa for giving a human face to the photographs). David writes:

The contrast between the Wanstead Shell Shack and Queen’s British steak house could hardly be starker. Yet the latter has recently begun to share its grounds with the former and they complement each other well.

Both are fine establishments, don’t get me wrong, but whilst the BQ is an indoor dining experience where you would easily expect to pay £50-75 a head for juicy red meats and bold red wines, the Shell Shack is a down-to-earth, family-run (literally – mum, dad and young daughter) cockle and mussel stall.

The Shell Shack has more than a twist of lemon though – fresh anchovies marinated in garlic or chilli, lobster tails neatly presented amongst other seaside favourites, jerk salmon served with fluffy rice and chargrilled vegetables – all reasonable priced and served on an outdoor deck adjacent to its upmarket carnivorous neighbour.

We paid £11 for lunch, including a drink, and thoroughly enjoyed the genuine nature of the patrons, the quality of the snacks and the fact it provides a pleasant alternative to the cafes and patisseries that adorn Wanstead High Street, just a few minutes’ walk away. The solitary and minor criticism was the leafy green garnish, presumably picked from a packet to the periphery of my plate masquerading as the advertised “side salad”. For me, a proper portion of this popular accompaniment needs to include iceberg lettuce, red onion, celery, at least one chopped-up tomato and a peppery leaf like rocket or watercress. Fortunately, a complimentary tower of slightly buttery rice was provided as a “welcome to the shack” extra – though I can’t guarantee this will be given to every lucky diner

When I offered a tip, the owners refused, instead telling me they’d prefer I spread the word about their place, which has been open for the past two months – “this is our ninth week”, the guv’nor proudly informed me – and return for lunch again soon. Consider this blog the keeping of the first of those two promises – I don’t intend to break the second one.

The Shell Shack is open from Thursdays to Sundays and the car park plays host to a hand car-wash, which could be well worth taking advantage of as an alternative to the Jet garage further down towards the Green Man roundabout. The Jet lads give you an excellently washed motor, but with no crayfish to munch while the shampoo is applied to the bonnet, I might be taking mine to the rather more appetising Shell Shack in a fortnight’s time to see if the car wash is as pleasing as the grub.

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Wanstead cricket, Whitsun weekend

Our man with the liniment writes:

The Herons’ 1st team will want to forget this weekend, after losing to South Woodford in the Premier League and to Sawbridgeworth in the first round of the Conference Cup.

Haseeb Chaudhri’s six wickets enabled the 2nd team to get one back against South Woodford. In the corresponding 3rd team match David Gibbs, taking time off from his day job (he’s the minister at Wanstead’s Grace Church), scored a half-century and felt the power of the Lord (in this that was Alan Lord) who cleaned up with several economical wickets.

Hadleigh held the upper hand against the Herons’ 4th XI, but the 5th team were led to a convincing win over Harold Wood thanks to superb bowling from youngster Afrasiyab Malik.

Wanstead Women blazed a new trail with a very successful Whit weekend of touring the West country, some cricket having interrupted the merriment.

More details as ever at Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket club site.

Seven things for Wanstead kids to do in half-term

Suki Orange is normally Wansteadium’s food blogger, but here she turns her hand to selecting some stuff to do around these parts over half-term.

1. Stratford Circus – the wonderful theatre which is quicker to get to by Tube than John Lewis at Westfield – has a week of “Spring into Summer” events this week, including playing with interactive artists. It’s aimed at children aged 0-8, but will set you back about £8.

2. So if that’s not for you, the gem that is the Museum of Childhood has a variety of events all about spying… disguises, I-spy trails, clues and so on. Sounds like it might be fun – and it’s always a joy to go there in any case. And though the cafe is very nice, it can be pricey. But the great thing about it is there’s a room downstairs designed for BYO lunches. My kind of place.

3. Stratford Picture House has a range of children’s films on all this week at good times – 11am, 1pm etc – and you don’t need to go near the Vue in Westfield to enjoy them. Though personally I’m more tempted by the Barbican’s offering on Saturday of Laurel and Hardywith live accompaniment. Of course, you might be thinking that if you can survive as long as Saturday, that will be achievement enough. But it’s worth bearing in mind. Personally I might use it as a threat/reward type thing.

4. If you’ve never read Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, well friends, you’ve missed out on a treat. The work of Mo Willems, schooled in the ways of Sesame Street (a favourite in the Orange house), is an undiminishing joy. The book (the original in a series) is being dramatised today, Monday, in Wanstead Library. I’m not sure if you’ll get tickets at this stage, but if you have, good choice. And if you haven’t buy a copy here.

5. You may be tempted by a trip into town, in which case I think the South Bank centre might be worth a look. Amid everything that’s going on they have a workshop for 6+ year-olds about the importance of bees. It sounds like watching Bee Movie without having to sit on the sofa. And as all regular Wansteadium readers know, bees are a concern round our way.

6. Last week we discovered the Redbridge Lakes. We had never heard of them, but they are definitely good for an hour or two if the sun in shining, and they’re free. Get close to nature – fish included – and there’s a cafe too. And parking. What’s not to like (apart from the fishing, if that’s not your thing). It’s at Roding Lane North, about three minutes from Charlie Brown roundabout.

7. I’ve tried to keep these things to do relatively local, so why on earth am I suggesting going to the Horniman Museum, which is without doubt in South London? Is it just the freakishly realistic stuffed animals that meets you as you go in? Is it the bizarre air of a Victorian obsession intricately pieced together? Is it the fantastic gardens or the nature trail-type events laid on for half-term? Yes, to all of those. But the real selling point for us in Wanstead is that it’s so easy to get there. Central Line to Stratford, then Jubilee Line to Canada Water, then London Overground to Forest Hill. It’s a walk up the hill from the station (passing some fine coffee shops) but the whole journey should take less than an hour. No need to thank me.

Well I hope that’s useful – do share any other suggestions with the commonweal, using the comments form or on Wanstead Talk.