Review
P&P also has a meal-kit angle to their business so it's really more of a twisted love triangle than the typical storefront/restaurant (which is yet another reason I think they might actually persevere). They're also doing the restaurant part the right way by offering a legit Friday Fish Fry on Fridays (which is what we Wisconsin folks want)! What's more, they're keeping the local angle with their Fish Fry by offering walleye and smelt from Lake Superior - which is the closest commercial fishery where these species are available. These locals come at a premium - $20 for either - but you can feel good about eating them if you're willing to splurge.
It also doesn't hurt that they prepare the fish well. The smelt were individually filleted which has to take some serious effort. They also came is a large school and while I tried to count them, I lost interest after 15 or so...let's just say the portion is fair. While the dry breading (common to both fish) wasn't ultra-flavorful I had no problem enjoying each and every crunchy bite. The walleye comes as two fillets and was definitely the real deal. It had the look and those desirable musky undertones. If I had it to do over again I'd go for the walleye, but both were easily recommendable and enticing in their own way.
As a fancier-than-average Fish Fry French fries aren't on the menu at Old University establishment but there are four other options to choose from (of which you get to pick two). We sampled the onion gratin (which were surprisingly mild), the roasted spuds (which were best when paired with the gratin), and the apple slaw (which was surprisingly sweet and inviting). The side were well thought-out all-around and we were pleased with our selections.
The tartar was just a straight-up aoili with a little lemon which was pretty wispy and didn't really help the fish. The spicy cheese roll on the other hand was simply excellent and did everything it could to make this Fish Fry all it could be.
Like I say, I've seen this song and dance before, and while I'm hesitant to believe it will work this time I think P&P is playing a slightly better angle than those who've failed before them. While they weren't super busy this Friday when we showed up, business was picking up as we were finishing. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and think it has a good chance to succeed where others have failed.
P&P has either walleye or smelt for $20 on Fridays (which are two relatively local fish). Of course, $20 isn't all that cheap, but both portions are plentiful which helps to justify that price. They walleye typically comes as a pair of long, thin fillets dusted perfectly with a light and crunchy breading. Unlike places that slather it on, this breading remains light and is matches the flaky fish in every way. It also doesn't harbor any grease whatsoever which helps it maintain the signature walleye flavor we all love.
Since there aren't any deep fryers on this pasture, French fries aren't an option, but the onion gratin and roasted potatoes with Dijon stand in nicely. Of course there are plenty of other options to choose from (which I won't list here - mostly because I don't remember them) but these two mix well and make for a suitable accompaniment for the fish.
I'm a huge proponent of thick and creamy supper club style tartar sauces, and this was anything but that. It was a little foo-foo, for me - whipped and lemony - and while it's not my jam at all, I still appreciate what they are trying to accomplish.
The highlight of any Fish Fry should be the fish, and while this walleye certainly shines, the part that glows the brightest is their house-made cheese roll. This thing is soft, yet crusty, and undoubtedly on of the best buns in the city. Feel free to prove me wrong.
I fully understand the farm-2-table movement and while I appreciate it, it's not totally for me. I love my fish and for the most part I don't care where it comes from as long as: 1) it is what it says it is and, 2) it tastes great. Luckily, if you are a locavore type you can still get a great Fish Fry at places like Pasture & Plenty. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and think it appeals to Fish Fry purists and farm-2-tablers alike.
P&P also has a meal-kit angle to their business so it's really more of a twisted love triangle than the typical storefront/restaurant (which is yet another reason I think they might actually persevere). They're also doing the restaurant part the right way by offering a legit Friday Fish Fry on Fridays (which is what we Wisconsin folks want)! What's more, they're keeping the local angle with their Fish Fry by offering walleye and smelt from Lake Superior - which is the closest commercial fishery where these species are available. These locals come at a premium - $20 for either - but you can feel good about eating them if you're willing to splurge.
It also doesn't hurt that they prepare the fish well. The smelt were individually filleted which has to take some serious effort. They also came is a large school and while I tried to count them, I lost interest after 15 or so...let's just say the portion is fair. While the dry breading (common to both fish) wasn't ultra-flavorful I had no problem enjoying each and every crunchy bite. The walleye comes as two fillets and was definitely the real deal. It had the look and those desirable musky undertones. If I had it to do over again I'd go for the walleye, but both were easily recommendable and enticing in their own way.
As a fancier-than-average Fish Fry French fries aren't on the menu at Old University establishment but there are four other options to choose from (of which you get to pick two). We sampled the onion gratin (which were surprisingly mild), the roasted spuds (which were best when paired with the gratin), and the apple slaw (which was surprisingly sweet and inviting). The side were well thought-out all-around and we were pleased with our selections.
The tartar was just a straight-up aoili with a little lemon which was pretty wispy and didn't really help the fish. The spicy cheese roll on the other hand was simply excellent and did everything it could to make this Fish Fry all it could be.
Like I say, I've seen this song and dance before, and while I'm hesitant to believe it will work this time I think P&P is playing a slightly better angle than those who've failed before them. While they weren't super busy this Friday when we showed up, business was picking up as we were finishing. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and think it has a good chance to succeed where others have failed.