Staff at a new fishmonger and seafood restaurant have thanked the community for their suprisingly "super welcome".

London Shell Co opened in Swain's Lane, Highgate, at the end of March and is yet to experience a "terrible" day.

Fishmonger Jude Epton, restaurant manager Eliza Rogers and chef Grace Bryson are instead creating a "buzz", which they say is drawing in a loyal customer base.

"It's been really nice, everybody's been super welcoming," said Eliza.

Ham & High: London Shell Co's Liah Lobek, Ibrahim Gbla, Grace Bryson and Eliza Rogers outside the store in Swain's LaneLondon Shell Co's Liah Lobek, Ibrahim Gbla, Grace Bryson and Eliza Rogers outside the store in Swain's Lane (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

"We've had people from the local area coming to the door and welcoming us to Swain's Lane, Grace has been creating the most amazing food coming out of the kitchen. Everyone's been super impressed with that as well."

Grace added: "You expect there to be at least one terrible day in the first few weeks and it hasn't happened yet. I can't speak for anyone else but I certainly feel, like I'm looking over my shoulder thinking 'this is going too well'..I don't trust it.

"It's a lovely problem to have, its just the natural pessimist in me speaking." 

London Shell Co started in 2015, with founders Hampstead-raised siblings Harry and Leah Lobek hosting seafood supper clubs from a rented barge on the Regent's Canal. 

Ham & High: Fresh produce is brought up from Devon every day for sale or to be transformed into dishes for sitting customers at London Shell CoFresh produce is brought up from Devon every day for sale or to be transformed into dishes for sitting customers at London Shell Co (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Their Swain's Lane hub is the first bricks and mortar venture following the success of their static barge The Grand Duchess and moving barge The Prince Regent.

Grace added: "Our USP (unique selling proposition) is the traceability of where we get our produce. We have suppliers in Devon and Cornwall and we now buy it direct from the auction. 

"Because we are supplying a fishmonger and three restaurants now it makes sense to buy it straight from the boats basically. We try and shorten the supply chain as much as possible."

Ham & High: London Shell Co also sells a range of wine to take away or drink on the premisesLondon Shell Co also sells a range of wine to take away or drink on the premises (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

The space is small with seating for up to 35 people, more when they will put tables outside. 

The menu changes daily, with dishes including whole Cornish crab to share, house-cured anchovies, and highly popular scallops with a wild garlic butter. 

"Around here people like simplicity when it comes to food," said Grace. "If they want a fancy, fiddly place they will go into town but they come here for a local, friendly place."

Ham & High: Lamb fat potatoes with salted Spanish anchovies and shallotsLamb fat potatoes with salted Spanish anchovies and shallots (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Staff are always on hand and happy to answer questions. "A lot of people are scared about cooking fish," Grace said. "It can go from raw to overcooked in a matter of seconds. All it takes is to overcook it once or twice and then you know what to do."

Closed on Mondays, the fishmonger is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm.

The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and Wednesday to Saturday for dinner with a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm 
where customers can enjoy £2 oysters and £2 off wine or cocktails.