Colourful display of tropical fish at Talk of the Town

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33866, 11 June 1975, Page 18

Colourful display of tropical fish at Talk of the Town

Many people will remember the old Copper Cat coffee bar in High Street which closed several years ago, but no-one would recognise it now. Mr Jack Johnstone has designed a restaurant which provides not only a good range of food at moderate prices, but also a display of tropical fish which would be hard to equal. Mr Johnstone and his partner, Wendy Allen, have called the restaurant the Talk of the Town because Miss Allen was the head waitress at the well-known nightclub of that name in London. The restaurant is open for lunch from noon to 2 pan. every day except Saturday, and offers steaks, omelettes, roast meals and sweets as well as “mini” meals. Lamb chops, served with fresh vegetables, apple pie and coffee would cost less than $2.50, but all “mini” meals cost only $l. Mr Johnstone serves fresh vegetables with “mini” meals and offers a choice of Hawaiian steak, grilled groper steak, lamb chops, roast mutton, roast beef and omelettes. The dinner menu offers a similar selection of main courses, as well as pizza ($1.50 to $2.50), and toasted sandwiches (10 fillings, 45c or 50c). The Talk of the Town is open from Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mr Johnstone, who was a ships cook for many years, is the chef at the Talk of the Town and has strong opinions about the way food should be served. “The plates and buns are always hot, he says, “and I refuse to serve chips with everything. My potatoes are boiled and then sauteed with peppers and onions, and served with cheese on top.” Delicious. The Talk of the Town, which is opposite Drages in lower High Street, has been open for two months and has already proved very

popular. This has justified Mr Johnstone’s investment of time, energy and imagination. He started a year ago with a bare and rather unremarkable room. Using plaster over chicken-wire and scrim, he has created a very interesting grotto effect. The 18 fish tanks are set into the walls and lit from within. While the restaurant itself is dimly lit, the fish and brightly coloured coral in the tanks provide a fascinating display. Mr Johnstone has been breeding tropical fish for about 25 years — 3000 to 4000 fish are produced in the tanks at the restaurant every two or three weeks — and has fresh and saltwater fish from most tropical areas. The names are almost as colourful as the fish themselves. Korean angel fish, damsel fish, trigger fish, firemouths,'clown-knife fish, black and silver sharks (freshwater), oscars, discus fish and a catfish 15 inches long are only some of those on display. The silver dollar fish looks quite harmless and is, because it feeds on vegetable matter, but it looks almost identical to its close relation, the piranha. Last week one of the tanks contained an angel fish with more than 200 young. Mi’ Johnstone also built the wooden tables in the restaurant, which seats 40. Although the Talk of the Town is not licensed, diners are invited to bring their own wine and have it served to them for a nominal charge. Half-sized meals are available for children and, of course, the restaurant is very popular with them because they are fascinated by the fish. Mr Johnstone says that Sunday nights often become family nights with groups of children clustered around the tanks while their parents enjoy a meal. The Talk of the Town can cater for private functions and for birthday parties. Mr Johnstone will arrange cakes, candelabra and so on for the occasion.