Go brit! celebrates its first anniversary in British style April 13

The little darling of British fish-and-chips shops is planning a smashing bash Saturday, April 13, to celebrate its first anniversary in the States.

Go brit! will host a party from 6 to 9 p.m. with plenty of giveaways, fun facts and favorite British music performed by Cathy Gorman, Sussex County’s Sweetheart of Song.

“We have so much to celebrate,” said Alison Blyth, owner of go brit! The Lewes eatery is known as the “little sister” to the popular go fish! in Rehoboth Beach.

“From the first day that I opened go fish! in 2002, customers asked for more fish-and-chips shops. It seems as if everyone wants one on their doorstep,” she said. “Now that we have a shop in Lewes, we can see how much everyone loves this chippy concept.”

“Chippy” is the word used in the UK to describe an informal fish-and-chips shop that serves quintessentially British favorites - and it’s clearly a hit in Delaware. Blyth hopes to add more go brit! restaurants in coming years. She has promoted the franchise concept with the line, “Spread the word, more British are coming.”

Go brit! kicked off its first year with much fanfare, starting with NBC’s "Today" morning show host Hoda Kotb cutting the ribbon April 7, 2012.

After a surprise visit to go brit!, respected Delaware food critic Patricia Talorico raved about the food and called Blyth the “Queen of Fish and Chips.”

Both go fish! and go brit! strive to share authentic British comfort food in a setting that defies the ordinary and transports visitors to a version of the much-loved British chippy. For instance, the modern Lewes building on Coastal Highway is sympathetic to old England’s charm, with its arched brick entranceway and double doors that became the perfect backdrop for side-by-side, bright-red British telephone boxes. The interior mixes old, new and traditional British décor and pays tribute to iconic London buildings in a vibrant red-and-grey-toned mural.

Go brit!, 18388 Coastal Highway in Lewes next to the Atlantic Cellular Verizon store, is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. To learn more, go to www.gobrit.com.