Fatbelly Fred'S

If anyone requires some help i'm now available.I have left The Boathouse in Instow. Sometimes teams just don't share the same goals and just causes frustration. I wish them all well as there are some lovely people there.

It's with great sadness that after a recent family bereavement that we have to announce the closure of Fatbelly Freds.On behalf of Fred and i, we would like to thank you all for your support over the last few years.Hopefully i will see you in someone else's kitchen very soon. If you would like to lease the restaurant under your own name please feel free to contact me as i own the building.

Thank you all so much for being are truly valued customers. Tonight we won the best restaurant in the Devon Food and Drinks awards. All the long hours seem worthwhile

Well we're here again 5 times in 6 years. Nominated for the North Devon Food and Drink Tourism awards best restaurant and for Best server (Freddie) really pleased.Without the staff we wouldn't have had the consistency over the last 6 years. So a massive thanks to all of them.A huge thank you to all of you that put us forward, now we just need your votes to go the last mile please refer to the North Devon Journal Awards. Thank you all again

It's been a long time coming but we've got a weekend off. On the 9th of Sept we're in Brixham for "Fishstock" we're up on stage plying our trade. If you want a fantastic seafood orientated day out then why not join us, numerous TVs chefs and some of the best seafood chefs of the South West. Along with copious amounts of food to eat there's plenty for you and your kids to get involved in. Check out Brixham Fishstock on google and get a hint of what's to come.

Really pleased to announce that we've been short listed as one of three in the Love The Flavour Food And Drink Awards for Best Restaurant. Thank you all for your continued support.

Over the last 6 years we've achieved a great deal.My son Fred has fledged from a young trainee to one of the best waiters in Barnstaple,we've been in numerous foodie finals and watched as Barnstaple has peaked and troughed through the events of the last few years.We've managed to keep going through the tougher times when all were feeling the squeeze a little too much. Earlier this year we managed to deregister from the dreaded VAT which allowed our business to breath once mor...e. Some people think that in the catering industry that you can claim your VAT back on food, You CAN'T. Catering businesses depending on which VAT they're on lose out. We have been on 20%, meaning that for every £1 spent in the restaurant, we have to give the government 20p, not only do we have to do that but then we have to do all the paperwork and then pay an accountant to check it and process it.A 5th + more for no return. This year has been a bumper year (unexpected) Barnstaple is buzzing and it's a pleasure to see our town beginning to smile.We've just arrived at no1 on tripadvisor .Thank you all for taking the time to give a review. Sadly it's a little bittersweet as we've arrived back at The VAT threshold and with all the rising costs we've decided it's not worth losing 20%+. During the last winter months we had numerous bookings and either not turn up or phone that day to cancel. We, i might add were not the only restaurant to take the hit, many of us had large tables fail to turn up or turn up with fewer people or just cancel last minute.Something which a small business finds hard to stock for and to staff, especially when your cooking with FRESH produce. So with heavy heart we announce that as of 1st Sept we will be closed until the early part of the new year.This will allow us not to have to lose our profits and to remain VAT free and be able to open next year with more continuity. Thank you all for your support fondest regards Geoff Ps if you know of anyone needing a chef let me know
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Pregnancy and seafood – debunking the myths Mon 24th July 2017 Pregnant Woman Cooking 770X600 A report from the BBC states “Women are unsure how much to eat while pregnant” this week. Apparently one in three mothers’ thinks they have to eat 300 or more extra calories every day!
... Women should only be taking on more calories in the last trimester of their pregnancy, 200 extra per day.
The article goes on further to advise expectant mothers to be eating a more balanced diet, for example, fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates like pasta and potatoes, protein like pulses, fish, eggs and meat and dairy, such as milk and yoghurt.
It also encourages mothers to eat two portions of fish a week, one oily, like mackerel! There are so many myths when it comes to women and being pregnant and we thought we would try and help dispel them. Starting off with what to eat:
Boost your baby’s development with mackerel and herring. Oil-rich fish are full of Omega-3 oils also found in every cell of the human body. If mackerel and herring are too strong for you, try mussels and crab. You don’t need to avoid them, as long as they are thoroughly cooked and eaten as part of a hot meal. For tired mums, cod, pollock and haddock are rich in protein, low in fat and full or nutrients that will boost your immunity. Sardines are a good source of calcium and will help to keep your bones strong during pregnancy. You can also eat smoked fish such as smoked salmon or smoked haddock when pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are craving sushi, this is fine to eat when you’re pregnant as long as the fish used to make it has been frozen first. We’ve got a page dedicated to Becoming a Mum and what you can eat when you’re pregnant, so you can ease your mind and eat a healthy, balanced diet which is perfect for you and your baby.
Let us know your favourite fishy craving if you are pregnant by tweeting us @fishisthedish.
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This Saturday 12.00 to 6.00pm

A friend of mine thinks this is me as a young lad . Pretty close

Spider crabs are here

Message from Geoff & Fred: If you want lobsters please book them in advance to ensure they are as fresh as possible. Many thanks.