The Narrow

Bowgreave

Needs a visit from.....errr..........Gordon Ramsay 6th January 2009

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This place rather brazenly calls itself 'The Narrow by Gordon Ramsay' (as opposed to, say 'The Narrow Arms’ or whatever) thereby raising both its own profile and our expectations accordingly. It shouts Brand Ramsay at every opportunity so we expected (and were quite happy) to pay a premium for the best.
After several years watching him ruthlessly putting other peoples' houses in order, it came as a bit of a surprise to learn that he was missing a few tricks rather closer to home. Unlike other 'celebrity chefs', Ramsay has retained a reputation for keeping on top of venues bearing his name.
We recently booked in for a Sunday lunch, which my wife says thoroughly deserves a bad review. Now anybody with £25 million more than I have is only ever going to get an honest and objective review, but she's not entirely wrong.
The place itself is lovely and an attractive bar leads out to a huge glass conservatory, directly overlooking the Thames, which drinkers and bar snackers share with the restaurant overflow. Views are tremendous but, even allowing for Gordon having assembled East London's largest collection of freestanding calor gas heaters, it was still a bit cold.
We were given a premium window table in the restaurant/conservatory and given time to read through the attractive looking menu.
We didn't mind the wait because they were clearly busy but, when it did arrive, my crayfish, haddock and salmon fishcake tasted no different to any other deep-fried breaded fishcake I have ever eaten, whilst the accompanying tartar sauce lacked bite and was more like mayonnaise. My son really enjoyed his swede and honey soup though.
For mains, wifey and son went for the game pie special whilst I had the hake, chips and marrowfat peas.
Another longish wait and the pies arrived in small pots with a dollop of mash and nothing else on the plate; forgivable if the food had knocked their socks off, but it didn't. You could live with mash that was unremarkable and plain but not when it was only luke warm. There was plenty of gravy inside the pie pot but the game filling could have been any stewed meat. My fish was entombed in a thick layer of overcooked dark brown (rather than golden) batter although the chips and mushy peas were fine. My son's marshmallow brownie with white chocolate ice-cream was also served luke warm. As with the fishcake, the products failed to match up to their elaborate description on the menu and they could take a leaf out of the underplay-it manual used at the Anchor and Hope, a genuine gastropub.
Beers and wines were good and reasonably (albeit restaurant) priced and our bill for three just topped £100. Don't get me wrong, there were flaws but it wasn't a bad meal per se. It was an okay pub meal served in a lovely setting. The bar and restaurant, the view, the tempting menu, the Brand Ramsay expectations; they were all there yet the food fell short of them. It was the worst bit and that should never happen.
Would we return? Maybe for a drink and a bar snack......on a warmer day though.

vexille

Not just your average pub? 25th August 2008

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With it being a 'Gordon Ramsey' pub, you'd expect it to be situated in the central of town and not by Limehouse, which unfortunately is a bit of a dive.

Still, doesn't do the pub any disservice, nicely situated by the river, so summer nights outside drinking and eating are great.

The menu is typically classic post English pub grub, all at remarkably reasonable prices. I actually came here when it had recently opened and the service was sub-standard. Gave it another chance a few months later and it was certainly better but by no means of Maze / Claridges standard, but then you can't expect that.

As a general pub for food and drink, it's excellent. As a Gordon Ramsey pub, it's a big of a let down.

eugenet

6th April 2007

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Good food overall but don't bother if you are vegetarian.

sue at 22/05/07

Hi. Is there a decent bar area here, or is it mainly a place for a meal?

eugenet at 22/05/07

Yes there is a separate bar and an outdoor area as well.

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