A popular York restaurant known for its sustainable, seasonal approach is moving to a new location. Fish&Forest, previously located on Micklegate, is taking over the downstairs space of the former 1331 Bar and Grill on Grape Lane. The new space, which was previously owned by the restaurant's owner, Tom Andrews's parents, has undergone a complete refurbishment and will open its doors on August 7th.
The new Fish&Forest will offer a more expansive dining experience. Alongside its renowned focus on sustainable seafood and game, the restaurant will feature a bar area, a communal table, and an outdoor courtyard. The courtyard will offer a dedicated snack menu, featuring delicacies like oysters and cured fish.
"Itâs important that people know the philosophy and ethos of Fish&Forest remains the same," Andrews emphasizes. "Weâll still be serving seasonal and sustainable fish, predominantly from UK waters, game from local estates, and forest foods. We havenât changed our concept, just enhanced our offering."
Andrews explains that the restaurant's expansion is in response to evolving dining trends and customer preferences. "Trends have changed and thereâs a market of daytime diners and people also want multiple choices, which is why we have expanded the starters section. We also want to ensure we are more accessible to people. At Fish&Forest's core is high-quality food that is reasonably priced."
A self-taught chef, Andrews launched Fish & Forest as a pop-up in 2018. The success of the pop-up led him to open a permanent location on Micklegate in 2020. Now, with the move to Grape Lane, Andrews is ready to offer a fresh and expanded dining experience to his loyal customers and new patrons alike.