Latest reviews in Barnsbury, London, United Kingdom

Tortilla - Great burrito by Gavin83

Gavin83 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:27:37 +0000

Review by Gavin83

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7833 3103

Website: http://www.tortilla.co.uk/

Scrumptious , freshly prepared authentic Mexican food in a simple setting. Such a shame that guacamole costs an extra 50 p, but it's definitely worth it. Nice atmosphere with friendly staff , cool beers and crunchy tortilla chips - enjoy!Scrumptious , freshly prepared authentic Mexican food in a simple setting. Such a shame that guacamole costs an extra 50 p, but it's definitely worth it. Nice atmosphere with friendly staff , cool beers and crunchy tortilla chips - enjoy!

Cafe Gallipoli - what a let down by FoodSlut

FoodSlut — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:58:36 +0000

Review by FoodSlut

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7359 0630

Website: http://www.gallipolicafe.com/

Tags: turkish, lively, expensive

Could be so much better. Mezze was a joke. Meats were greasy. Service was arrogant.
Four times i was asked if i wanted bread. As it happens I didnt becuae it fills you up to much. But any turkish restaurant ive been in brings you bread immediately. This place wanted to charge.
The bill waswhat youd expect in Upper Street but the food wasnt worththe money. Why not just do it properly?
Obviously a business has to make money but when a restaurant is run by businessmen rather than caterers this is what usually happens.Could be so much better. Mezze was a joke. Meats were greasy. Service was arrogant.
Four times i was asked if i wanted bread. As it happens I didnt becuae it fills you up to much. But any turkish restaurant ive been in brings you bread immediately. This place wanted to charge.
The bill waswhat youd expect in Upper Street but the food wasnt worththe money. Why not just do it properly?
Obviously a business has to make money but when a restaurant is run by businessmen rather than caterers this is what usually happens.

F Cooke - Pie and MAsh heaven by thecure

thecure — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:11:33 +0000

Review by thecure

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7729 7718

Tags: lively, english, cheap eat

Pie and Mash. If you have eaten it before, then you know the whole experience goes with the food. It has to have the right feeling in the place where the food is served. I love pie houses that take you back to the basics and a way of life that has pretty much diminished. Cooke's is the perfect Pie and Mash experience. I have been eating Pie and Mash for over twenty years and this place still sticks in my mind as one of the best.Pie and Mash. If you have eaten it before, then you know the whole experience goes with the food. It has to have the right feeling in the place where the food is served. I love pie houses that take you back to the basics and a way of life that has pretty much diminished. Cooke's is the perfect Pie and Mash experience. I have been eating Pie and Mash for over twenty years and this place still sticks in my mind as one of the best.

The Commissary - worth the walk.. by HelenR

HelenR — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:28:15 +0000

Review by HelenR

Rating: 4.00

Tags: good value, british

This is a nice little hidden away place near Old Street, but just far enough away that it's not stupidly busy like most places in the area. It's along the canal too, which is an added bonus. :)This is a nice little hidden away place near Old Street, but just far enough away that it's not stupidly busy like most places in the area. It's along the canal too, which is an added bonus. :)

Fredericks - Disappointing by rtf009

rtf009 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:58:51 +0000

Review by rtf009

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7359 2888

Website: www.fredericks.co.uk

Tags: expensive, french, smoking

This restaurant was a real disappointment, the service was absolutely terrible and the food somewhat lacking, good thing I took good company or the evening would have been a total write-off!This restaurant was a real disappointment, the service was absolutely terrible and the food somewhat lacking, good thing I took good company or the evening would have been a total write-off!

Cuba Libre & Bar Havana - by hhrtmnn

hhrtmnn — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:20:05 +0000

Review by hhrtmnn

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7354 9998

Tags: lively, spanish, restaurant

Avoid like the plague.
Do not waste your time or money here.

We were planning to start with a drink before our friends arrived and then all enjoy a Cuban meal here. One drink was more than enough to convince us to call our friends and head elsewhere.

I agree with another reviewer who said that the drinks were expensive and that the staff were phenomenally rude - even arrogant.

Whilst finishing our one drink we watched as two other tables enquired about dining but left before ordering a single thing.

How long a business can operate like this waits to be seen in current economy.

I say this prime spot would be much better occupied by a worthy establishment.

Everything is so dirty and slapdash that I would not dare even taste a morsel of their food.Avoid like the plague.
Do not waste your time or money here.

We were planning to start with a drink before our friends arrived and then all enjoy a Cuban meal here. One drink was more than enough to convince us to call our friends and head elsewhere.

I agree with another reviewer who said that the drinks were expensive and that the staff were phenomenally rude - even arrogant.

Whilst finishing our one drink we watched as two other tables enquired about dining but left before ordering a single thing.

How long a business can operate like this waits to be seen in current economy.

I say this prime spot would be much better occupied by a worthy establishment.

Everything is so dirty and slapdash that I would not dare even taste a morsel of their food.

Charlies Sandwich & Cafe Bar - Charming local cafe by Eclectic

Eclectic — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:24:16 +0000

Review by Eclectic

Rating: 4.00

Tags: cosy, good brew, quiet & relaxed

Charlies is a great little local cafe with friendly staff and an eclectic mix of clientele... It offers a range of freshly-cooked food and paninis some with a mediterranean flavour. It is the perfect place to linger at the weekend with a cooked breakfast and a pile of newspapers or to take advantage of its free wifi over a cup of fresh coffee and a pastry. It is also handily located near Highbury Fields which makes it an ideal place to grab some takeaway meze for an impromptu picnic.Charlies is a great little local cafe with friendly staff and an eclectic mix of clientele... It offers a range of freshly-cooked food and paninis some with a mediterranean flavour. It is the perfect place to linger at the weekend with a cooked breakfast and a pile of newspapers or to take advantage of its free wifi over a cup of fresh coffee and a pastry. It is also handily located near Highbury Fields which makes it an ideal place to grab some takeaway meze for an impromptu picnic.

Ottolenghi - Possibly the best take away food in London by tojulius

tojulius — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:51:43 +0000

Review by tojulius

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7288 1454

Website: http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Tags: expensive, breakfast, rare finds

Fantastic quality of food and incredibly sophisticated cuisine in a great business model. You won't be able to eat in unless it's sunny so you can enjoy the small tables outside.

Great Tuna and fantastic sweets. Not a great coffee, but I am very picky.Fantastic quality of food and incredibly sophisticated cuisine in a great business model. You won't be able to eat in unless it's sunny so you can enjoy the small tables outside.

Great Tuna and fantastic sweets. Not a great coffee, but I am very picky.

Colebrooke's - Not all it's cracked up to be by chrisp

chrisp — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:48:48 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7226 7517

Website: http://www.colebrookes.co.uk

Tags: jazz, live music, posh

A few days ago, Timeout London announced the results of their Eating & Drinking Awards 2009. Like most of these 'best of' awards it's a mixture of the bafflingly arbitrary and downright predictable - there are very few people I know who would argue that the brilliant Harwood Arms shouldn't have won Best New Gastropub this year, but Lola Rojo on Northcote Road for best Spanish Restaurant over any of the Brindisa joints? Last time I went to Lola Rojo I paid Â£10 for a very odd plate of potato soufflÃ©s and tomato foam which they laughably called 'patatas bravas'. It was like tapas re-imagined by someone who'd applied to work at El Bulli but was rejected for being too pointlessly experimental.

But it's the choice of Best Bar that, perhaps inevitably, causes the most controversy. The crucial difference in bars as opposed to restaurants is that you can get pretty much the complete experience just popping in for 15 minutes and ordering a martini, whereas you can't really say you've 'eaten at' a restaurant unless you've sat down to a three course meal over a few hours. So whichever criteria you consider to be the most important in a bar (dÃ©cor, clientele or the way the barman twists his lemon peel), it's likely you have the budget to visit far more of them in the space of a year than you can mid to high-end restaurants. And more customers means more opinion. And more opinion means more controversy.

And there ends my disclaimer for the decision behind this year's Timeout Best Bar, because I really can't see what the judges saw in 69 Colebrook Row. It's perfectly good, of course - a tiny little neighbourhood bar, a well stocked drinks cabinet and staff who if not experts are at least fairly competent. But it was when I saw the barman timidly pouring out a shot of gin into a little metal measuring cup before dumping it in the shaker that I knew this could never be up there with the best of them. The drinks, too, were timid - a bland house martini using Martini Extra Dry and a cerignola olive instead of the far more tasty combination of Noilly Prat and a twist of lemon, and a champagne cocktail which omitted the usual angostura-soaked sugar cube and brandy for a subtle floral note. Maybe it's just that I'm not a Tony Conigliaro fan; I was similarly nonplussed with the praised heaped upon the Shochu Lounge beneath Roka on Charlotte Street - when everyone was talking about molecular mixology all I noticed was overfussy and overpriced fruit cocktails. Or maybe I'm just far more difficult to please these days. I blame Rules.A few days ago, Timeout London announced the results of their Eating & Drinking Awards 2009. Like most of these 'best of' awards it's a mixture of the bafflingly arbitrary and downright predictable - there are very few people I know who would argue that the brilliant Harwood Arms shouldn't have won Best New Gastropub this year, but Lola Rojo on Northcote Road for best Spanish Restaurant over any of the Brindisa joints? Last time I went to Lola Rojo I paid Â£10 for a very odd plate of potato soufflÃ©s and tomato foam which they laughably called 'patatas bravas'. It was like tapas re-imagined by someone who'd applied to work at El Bulli but was rejected for being too pointlessly experimental.

But it's the choice of Best Bar that, perhaps inevitably, causes the most controversy. The crucial difference in bars as opposed to restaurants is that you can get pretty much the complete experience just popping in for 15 minutes and ordering a martini, whereas you can't really say you've 'eaten at' a restaurant unless you've sat down to a three course meal over a few hours. So whichever criteria you consider to be the most important in a bar (dÃ©cor, clientele or the way the barman twists his lemon peel), it's likely you have the budget to visit far more of them in the space of a year than you can mid to high-end restaurants. And more customers means more opinion. And more opinion means more controversy.

And there ends my disclaimer for the decision behind this year's Timeout Best Bar, because I really can't see what the judges saw in 69 Colebrook Row. It's perfectly good, of course - a tiny little neighbourhood bar, a well stocked drinks cabinet and staff who if not experts are at least fairly competent. But it was when I saw the barman timidly pouring out a shot of gin into a little metal measuring cup before dumping it in the shaker that I knew this could never be up there with the best of them. The drinks, too, were timid - a bland house martini using Martini Extra Dry and a cerignola olive instead of the far more tasty combination of Noilly Prat and a twist of lemon, and a champagne cocktail which omitted the usual angostura-soaked sugar cube and brandy for a subtle floral note. Maybe it's just that I'm not a Tony Conigliaro fan; I was similarly nonplussed with the praised heaped upon the Shochu Lounge beneath Roka on Charlotte Street - when everyone was talking about molecular mixology all I noticed was overfussy and overpriced fruit cocktails. Or maybe I'm just far more difficult to please these days. I blame Rules.

Canal 125 - Oh dear by MrEater

MrEater — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:18:31 +0000

Review by MrEater

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7837 1924

Tags: international, friendly, good value

Ive been there a few times - the owners are incredibly rude - however, the staff are smiley and friendly.
There are mice upstairs happily scurrying around - on two different occasions Ive seen it (or them!)
Food is good, though...Ive been there a few times - the owners are incredibly rude - however, the staff are smiley and friendly.
There are mice upstairs happily scurrying around - on two different occasions Ive seen it (or them!)
Food is good, though...

Gourmet Buffet - by Fooooood

Fooooood — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:42:19 +0000

Review by Fooooood

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7359 8804

Website: http://www.gourmetbuffet.co.uk

Tags: chinese, cheap eat, takeaway

Delicious! The spring rolls and samosas in particular are amazing. Very cheap too. Great.Delicious! The spring rolls and samosas in particular are amazing. Very cheap too. Great.

Alwyne Castle - by jimmyd

jimmyd — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:08:44 +0000

Review by jimmyd

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7288 9861

Tags: live music, posh, relaxed

One of my favourite pubs in north London. It's big, has sofas, lots of outside space, great beers, and a pretty damn good Sunday roast.One of my favourite pubs in north London. It's big, has sofas, lots of outside space, great beers, and a pretty damn good Sunday roast.

The Angelic - decent pub by jimmyd

jimmyd — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:05:26 +0000

Review by jimmyd

Rating: 3.00

Tags: cool, relaxed, different pub food

This is an ok little pub just off the madness of Upper Street. It's got some pretty good beers and wines, and free wifi. Better than most of the places in Angel.This is an ok little pub just off the madness of Upper Street. It's got some pretty good beers and wines, and free wifi. Better than most of the places in Angel.

The Scolt Head - Busy beer garden... by brenna

brenna — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:25:03 +0000

Review by brenna

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7254 3965

Website: http://www.thescolthead.co.uk

Tags: live music, relaxed, food

Laidback local boozer, hidden by trees protecting the small busy beer garden.

With old relics, leather sofas and a magnetic alphabet
chalk board it also has a games room (with DJs on the weekends) and a dining area.

Always busy with a young friendly crowd

Laidback local boozer, hidden by trees protecting the small busy beer garden.

With old relics, leather sofas and a magnetic alphabet
chalk board it also has a games room (with DJs on the weekends) and a dining area.

Always busy with a young friendly crowd

The Wellington - The Welly is great! by brenna

brenna — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:53:51 +0000

Review by brenna

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7254 4338

Tags: live music, relaxed, food

Recently refurbished and now with a black exterior, the Duke of Wellington (with no name outside) is a fantastic local pub. Full of friendly people, it has an outside area, board games, a big screen showing sports, a film club and soon to have some live music we hope. Food is very nice and music is also ace, plus its open late...not a bad word to say!Recently refurbished and now with a black exterior, the Duke of Wellington (with no name outside) is a fantastic local pub. Full of friendly people, it has an outside area, board games, a big screen showing sports, a film club and soon to have some live music we hope. Food is very nice and music is also ace, plus its open late...not a bad word to say!

William IV - Bot very honest owner, how even knows what else by alexaa

alexaa — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:21:40 +0000

Review by alexaa

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 3119 3012

Website: http://www.williamthefourth.co.uk/

Tags: friendly, gastropub, young professionals

Had my birthday party there. My saddest ever birthday.

It was supposed to be a crazy night out. However, at 11:30, the music was turned off. The explanation was that the council officers came to ask them to do so because of the complaints they received.

For Fxxx sake, i mean, Since they knew they wouldn't be playing loud music after 11:00, why did they still agreed when i requested. I clearly stated that i wanted to party until 2 am. I would never, ever ever go there again. hate it so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Had my birthday party there. My saddest ever birthday.

It was supposed to be a crazy night out. However, at 11:30, the music was turned off. The explanation was that the council officers came to ask them to do so because of the complaints they received.

For Fxxx sake, i mean, Since they knew they wouldn't be playing loud music after 11:00, why did they still agreed when i requested. I clearly stated that i wanted to party until 2 am. I would never, ever ever go there again. hate it so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trafik - food posoining by sillysnake

sillysnake — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:46:15 +0000

Review by sillysnake

Rating: 1.00

Tags: expensive, pretentious, international

I had dinner there with a friend and we both decided to grab a pizza. I have to say both of us felt seriously unwell afterwards. It ruined our whole day getting food poisoning from this place and I couldn't apologise enough to my friend for taking her there. WILL NEVER EVER GO TO AGAIN!!

My friends have said it is terrible for a night out also.

STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!I had dinner there with a friend and we both decided to grab a pizza. I have to say both of us felt seriously unwell afterwards. It ruined our whole day getting food poisoning from this place and I couldn't apologise enough to my friend for taking her there. WILL NEVER EVER GO TO AGAIN!!

My friends have said it is terrible for a night out also.

STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!

Trafik - by sillysnake

sillysnake — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:44:20 +0000

Review by sillysnake

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7613 0234

Website: http://www.trafikinfo.co.uk/

Tags: cool, bar, food

Thai Square - Consistently Good by GeorgeClark

GeorgeClark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:55:32 +0000

Review by GeorgeClark

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7704 2000

Website: http://www.thaisq.com/

Tags: thai, lively, good value

Whenever I eat at this, my local Thai, it never fails to deliver and would have given 5 stars but sometimes it is too austere and needs softening. When busy, it is too noisy. The food however is stunningly good and always to the same standard, never disappoints. Never room for desserts; their Pad Thai is perfect as is the Ped Mekham with outstanding Spinach with garlic and ginger served on beautiful crockery - always recommend to groups and individuals alike.Whenever I eat at this, my local Thai, it never fails to deliver and would have given 5 stars but sometimes it is too austere and needs softening. When busy, it is too noisy. The food however is stunningly good and always to the same standard, never disappoints. Never room for desserts; their Pad Thai is perfect as is the Ped Mekham with outstanding Spinach with garlic and ginger served on beautiful crockery - always recommend to groups and individuals alike.

The Double Club - CRAZY! by elisad

elisad — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:27:00 +0000

Review by elisad

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7837 2222

Website: http://www.thedoubleclub.co.uk

Tags: club, live music, cool

This place in Angel is a bit hidden (on a little street). outside it looks normal, there's nothing special expect a few friendly bouncers at the door.

Inside the place is divided in 3: restaurant, bar and dance floor.

The restaurant looks posh, I didn't go in there. It's a separate room from the bar but you can see everything through the windows and door.

The bar is crazy. there is something like a kiosk for the drinks and then you can sit in plastic chairs/tables or around in the benches. the bar room is huge and the wall is high so you feel good inside there LOL and the ceiling is made of glass....

the dance floor...this was the crazy part of the night because they had this african band playing with some girls dancing the african way....people were asked to go on stage.....guys danced with girls, girls danced alone and with girls....LOL the vibe was good, the band was good, we had a great time!

I didn't drink but apparently a beer was Â£4...
OH! the cloakroom is free! lolThis place in Angel is a bit hidden (on a little street). outside it looks normal, there's nothing special expect a few friendly bouncers at the door.

Inside the place is divided in 3: restaurant, bar and dance floor.

The restaurant looks posh, I didn't go in there. It's a separate room from the bar but you can see everything through the windows and door.

The bar is crazy. there is something like a kiosk for the drinks and then you can sit in plastic chairs/tables or around in the benches. the bar room is huge and the wall is high so you feel good inside there LOL and the ceiling is made of glass....

the dance floor...this was the crazy part of the night because they had this african band playing with some girls dancing the african way....people were asked to go on stage.....guys danced with girls, girls danced alone and with girls....LOL the vibe was good, the band was good, we had a great time!

I didn't drink but apparently a beer was Â£4...
OH! the cloakroom is free! lol