GO FISH in KING WEST with THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

I had the privilege of living in the great white north most of my early years, where pan fried pickerel was a summertime staple and lake trout, the size and colour of pacific salmon, was pulled from the depths of Canada’s coldest of the Great Lakes – Lake Superior.

I grew up in a family where we learned to fillet fish before the age of ten. I realized at that time that fish had bones, but you would have never have encountered one on your plate, nor while a flaky morsel melted on your tongue with each bite. We learned how to remove the bones, however I learned quickly that it was not a common practice and am still adverse to bones in fish (and seeds in oranges).

Eating freshly caught and well filleted fish kept me skeptical of fast-food fare fish and chips, until I stumbled upon “The One That Got Away”, a funky little fish n’chips storefront fishhouse at King and Portland. I didn’t find any bones in their fish either, and Phil, in business for almost two years says it’s highly unlikely I would.

“A piece of fish a day keeps the Doctor away,” he says.

While stomping the neighbourhood in King West following a workout at Totum Life Science, I’m usually never looking for fried food of any kind. But that day my cravings called out for hand-cut french fries dolloped with Heinz ketchup. The smell penetrated both of my nostrils while rushing by and I stopped abruptly a few steps past the door, put my heels in reverse and stood looking inside like a lost tourist, trapped in a geo-warp, in the midst of a bustling urban neighbourhood.

I usually listen to my inner voice. In this case it was in my stomach calling above all sounds that surrounded me, “French fries!”

Luckily I arrived before the rush that usually occurs over lunch. There was a cool stream of sunlight that brightened the inside of the cafe-style restaurant; the mood was lifted by the smiles from behind the counter and in the kitchen. I had suddenly forgotten that I was in the middle of the Entertainment District in Toronto. I felt more like I had stepped in to an east coast village, with locals ready to share their treasures and hometown hospitality.

I couldn’t order just the fries after some excellent suggestions from the fish monger, so I opted for a small Haddock too. My order of Fish N’ Chips came up quickly. I started eagerly with the golden brown, perfectly deep fried east coast potatoes. Perfectly crunchy on the exterior they snapped and exposed a steamy hot fresh cloud on the inside. Those wanting the authentic east coast flavour of chips and vinegar can choose from a variety of regular and malt, and they recommend that you load on the salt after a good soaking.

I couldn’t help but to think of my next workout.

The fish measured up with the perfect ratio of light, white tender meat and golden batter, fried lightly to perfection. The creamy tartar sauce killed any reminder of my new years resolution.

Although Toronto’s King West continues to foster foodie-ism and there’s an amazing selection of Italian, Thai, French, Japanese and everything else, there’s still no comparison to good ol’ fashion fish n’ chips at The One That Got Away. They do a huge takeout business too!

Follow them on Twitter @theonefish and Facebook The One That Got Away- World Famous Fish House.