Restaurant: Bitar’s
Address: 689 Highway 2, Elmsdale
Date: May 30, 2010
Fish: Haddock
Cost: $9.95

It was Minnie’s turn to pick where we’d eat next, and she chose something a bit off the beaten path (but still in HRM). We’ve eaten at Bitar’s once before and had a pleasant experience, so we were looking forward to reviewing their fish and chips.

While specializing in Middle Eastern fare, the menu is quite varied and extensive. The restaurant is clean and comfortable, and the waitstaff friendly. The fish and chips were perhaps a bit above average… good but not great. You won’t be disappointed with it, but we wouldn’t drive all the way there to sample them. Oh, wait… we already did.

If you’re in the area and craving fish and chips, you might want to give Bitar’s a try.

Fish and Chips Score: 77

FCP Review Crew

Rachel’s Thoughts

The fish and batter was good. I thought the fries were better than average.

The coleslaw tasted like my mom’s, which is a good thing. The tartar sauce was good, and the ketchup tasted like Heinz, so no complaints about the condiments.

If anyone orders the fish and chips at Bitar’s, they will enjoy it.

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Rachel’s Final Score: 75

Poochie’s Thoughts
I found the fish and batter reminded me a bit like the fish sticks I ate growing up, flavour-wise. And while that isn’t unpleasant… it doesn’t impress me either.

The fries were homecut, very tasty, and perfectly seasoned. I thought they were overcooked in a good way (if that makes any sense). They were dark brown but weren’t so crunchy and hard so as to hurt the roof of your mouth when eating them.

While Minnie and Rachel were oohing and ahhing over the coleslaw and how it reminded them of their mom’s… I personally thought it was just so-so. Perhaps that’s because my mom’s coleslaw was better… but I found Bitar’s coleslaw blah, like something I would sample at a potluck supper, but never go back for seconds.

The portion of food was decent but not wow-wee… kind of like the entire meal. I found Bitar’s to be marginally above average… nothing negative about it at all, just nothing distinctively great to brag up about it. I wouldn’t drive to Bitar’s just for the fish and chips, but if I found myself there I wouldn’t hesitate to order it.

How’s that for a ringing endorsement?

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Poochie’s Final Score: 75

Minnie’s Thoughts
The fish was good… a bit greasy, but not unpleasant when eating it. I liked the homecut french fries. So good they did not need ketchup.

The homemade coleslaw was nice and reminded me of my mom’s.

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Minnie’s Final Score: 79

Skippy’s Thoughts

I like this place, mainly because it’s out of the way, yet inside it makes you feel like you’re in a downtown Halifax restaurant.

The F&C was pretty good here. The only slightly odd thing about this meal (for me) is that it was exactly what you’d expect to get at a place that sells nothing but F&C. Don’t get me wrong – that’s not a bad thing. It’s just that when you’re in a nice place like Bitar’s, you’d expect there to be something a little… different… or extra.

I’m not even sure what they could have done differently or extra for it to receive a higher score, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood and you’re craving fish and chips, it’s definitely better than some places we’ve been to that seem to be relying solely on their past accolades.

Enjoy your meal here, and tell ‘em FishAndChipsPlease.com sent you. (Try the stir fry here – it’s also good!)

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Skippy’s Final Score: 78