If you haven’t heard of George Ngyutin yet, you soon will. One of the best fishmongers in town, Mauritian born George has just opened a new restaurant in Seymour Place called Seaport. His previous shop and restaurant inGolborn Road drew customers from all over London, including Jamie Oliver, who was so impressed with George, that he devoted a whole episode of Oliver’s Twist to him.

In the programme, called George’s day off, Jamie prepared a fish dish with a Mauritian influence specially for George.

George, who has been in the business for more than 30 years,decided he wanted to downsize, so when the building in Seymour Place came up, he grabbed the opportunity. He’s since transformed it into a restaurant, informal upstairs and a little more formal downstairs. The window displays the daily catch alongside fresh vegetables.

Customers choose their fish from the counter, which is then cooked by George or one of his chefs, in whichever way the customer chooses.

“Coming from Mauritius, I have a mixture of styles” says George “Chinese, Mauritiun – made with fresh herbs and spices- or you can have it the European way, with cream, just grilled or pan fried in butter. The simpler the better”

George makes a trip to Billingsgate Market several times during the week. “you’ve got to know what’s going on, so I go there at half past four, have a chat with the lads, and a cup of coffee,” he says. “I’ve been going for 30 years, and even If I don’t go, whatever I want- scallops, cod or halibut comes to me the following day.”

Fish such as tuna, swordfish and kingfish is flown in from Sri Lanka, while redfish- or red snapper- comes from the Seychelles.

“It’s a fantastic fish- with a different kind of texture, you just grill it and serve it with a very light sauce.” Says George.

House specials include a seafood platter on ice or hot with melted butter, parsley and lemon(£18) lobster tail, tiger prawns, monkfish and snapper grilled with rum, garlic and yogurt dressing (£22.50) and Mauritiun broth, with shellfish (£19.50). or there’s a choice of lighter starters such as home made fish soup with croutons and rouille (£6.50), seafood salad (£5.95) and fish cake mignon with prawn and salsa dressing (£6.50)

Friendly chap that he is, George has already been a hit with the locals, many of who pop in for a quick bite to eat at lunchtime or just to say hello.

“I’ve made a few buddies already”, he laughs. “The pubs are good around here and I like to have a few pints with the lads.” He loves the interaction with customers, which is why he chose to have a kitchen for all to see.

“I want customers to walk in, choose their fish, come inside the kitchen and tell me how they would like their fish cooked. I love all that” he says. “We want to create a homely, family environment where customers feel comfortable. I love to see people shouting across the room and saying hello.” George’s wife Helen will be running the restaurant, while George takes care of the kitchen.

“She’s my eyes” he says, “Because I do the cooking I can’t see everything that is going on- whether the customers are happy or eating properly. At the end of the day we discuss things, so it works very well.