To Ealing, where I was promised sourdough better than Poilane and a fish and chip shop which smells like fish and chip shops used to.

Well one out of two ain’t bad.

To be fair, it’s not the Pitshanger Village Bakery’s fault they’d run out of bread. We didn’t get there until 3:30 and the very next day our local bakery was running similarly low on stock at around the same time.

But back to those fish and chips…

Blue Ocean can stand proudly on a surprisingly foodie street which includes the aforementioned bakery, a good looking fishmonger and butcher and a wine shop which sells excellent cheese (we bought half a baby Colston Bassett Stilton for a very reasonable £21).

Cod and haddock were cooked to order – the haddock flaked perfectly beneath my fork, though its flavour was no match for the meaty cod.

Batter was well seasoned, crisp without, slightly mushy within – reminding me of the fish fingers which were my favourite supper as a child.

Talking of mushy, the peas were bog standard – bright green and starchy with a hint of pea-y sweetness.

Chips were cut square and stocky from tasty potatoes, though not quite crispy enough for this eater.

Tartare sauce was from a packet and vinegar was represented by ‘fish and chip shop taste’ but while this would jar in some eateries, it’s perfectly acceptable, even desirable, here.

Service was sweet and swift and they had Diet Coke in real glass bottles.

Blue Ocean and the bakery were recommended to me by someone who lives locally and is one of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable people about food I have ever met.

I was surprised to hear he lived in this area, but having experienced some of the delights of Pitshanger Lane, I understand why now.

Thanks for the suggestions Pete, I’ll be back to try the bread soon.

Blue Ocean Fish and Chip Shop, 151 Pitshanger Lane, London W5 1RH, 020 8997 7438

Tip: They stop serving between 2:30pm and 4:30pm.