In a large pot or dutch oven, cook pancetta for about 7 min and transfer to a plate.Without rinsing the pot, add in butter, onion, carrot and celery and season with salt, pepper and pepper flakes. Cook for about 3 min and then add in the white wine. Allow it to cook down and let the veggies soften.
Add in potatoes, your stock, thyme. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat for about 15 min.
Meanwhile, wash and slice your fish into bite sized pieces.Place into the pot and cook for another 7 min or so. Add in half and half and cook for another 5-10 min. Taste test and add salt/pepper to your liking. Top soup with pancetta, chopped scallions and hot sauce. Enjoy!
*If you have access to fish bones or bits (even a filet edge with the tiny bones that you usually cut off from the store) I would suggest making it from scratch. The recipe I used to make the stock in this recipe is courtesy of the podcast Home Cooking (highly recommend) with @hrishihirway and @ciaosamin.