Latest reviews in Camden Town, London, United Kingdom

The Lansdowne - Great for drinks and a good natter by up_shiraz

up_shiraz — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:10:12 +0000

Review by up_shiraz

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7483 0409

The Lansdowne is the best pub in Primrose Hill as far as Iâ¬"m concerned. The pizzas are really good â¬ good quality ingredients on very crispy bases. The chorizo pizza with capers and red onions is particularly good. Parma ham with rocket is another highlight. They come in at around Â£11 which is fine for a big feed. Hummus with flatbread is a great snack as well.

If you fancy testing the kitchen on its bigger menu it usually does a good job though itâ¬"s getting expensive for things like steaksâ¬¦so if youâ¬"re willing to pay Â£15+ for a main, you might wander down the road to The Engineer which does pretty consistently great gastro-pub food.
Also worth mentioning the daily changing Â£5 lunch which is a bit of a lottery but usually filling and wholesome â¬ it could be a roast beef sandwich, or pasta or risotto â¬ something like that.

Last night I went with a group of friends for drinks. The beers are fine, if unexciting and the wine list is decent as well. More interesting wines are cropping up on the specials board and we had a few bottles of a decent Pinot Noir from the South of France for Â£18 a pop. Thatâ¬"s pretty good for this annoyingly expensive grape!

It really wins on atmosphere and layout though. Lots of tables, nice lighting, high ceiling, music-free (okay a bit sadâ¬¦but you can actually hear what friends are saying!) and full of local folk every night of the week. The toilets have been refurbed recently and are now positively luxurious in comparison to the past (bring on the Dyson Airblades â¬ wohoo!). The staff are a bit up and down but are usually friendly and the manager, Paul, is a really nice bloke. All in all, this is a place that will deliver good experiences time and time again. If you havenâ¬"t been there yet I suggest itâ¬"s worth a trip down Gloucester Avenue.
The Lansdowne is the best pub in Primrose Hill as far as Iâ¬"m concerned. The pizzas are really good â¬ good quality ingredients on very crispy bases. The chorizo pizza with capers and red onions is particularly good. Parma ham with rocket is another highlight. They come in at around Â£11 which is fine for a big feed. Hummus with flatbread is a great snack as well.

If you fancy testing the kitchen on its bigger menu it usually does a good job though itâ¬"s getting expensive for things like steaksâ¬¦so if youâ¬"re willing to pay Â£15+ for a main, you might wander down the road to The Engineer which does pretty consistently great gastro-pub food.
Also worth mentioning the daily changing Â£5 lunch which is a bit of a lottery but usually filling and wholesome â¬ it could be a roast beef sandwich, or pasta or risotto â¬ something like that.

Last night I went with a group of friends for drinks. The beers are fine, if unexciting and the wine list is decent as well. More interesting wines are cropping up on the specials board and we had a few bottles of a decent Pinot Noir from the South of France for Â£18 a pop. Thatâ¬"s pretty good for this annoyingly expensive grape!

It really wins on atmosphere and layout though. Lots of tables, nice lighting, high ceiling, music-free (okay a bit sadâ¬¦but you can actually hear what friends are saying!) and full of local folk every night of the week. The toilets have been refurbed recently and are now positively luxurious in comparison to the past (bring on the Dyson Airblades â¬ wohoo!). The staff are a bit up and down but are usually friendly and the manager, Paul, is a really nice bloke. All in all, this is a place that will deliver good experiences time and time again. If you havenâ¬"t been there yet I suggest itâ¬"s worth a trip down Gloucester Avenue.

Primrose Patisserie - by curlynewf

curlynewf — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:34:59 +0000

Review by curlynewf

Rating: 3.00A good selection of huge, delicious crÃªpes you can enjoy either inside (amidst the children's toys and gifts for sale), or outside. Outside is best - squeeze yourself betwixt the 'ladies who lunch' and the dogs who are better groomed than you are and you'll be treated to some of the best people-watching and eavesdropping this town has to offer. There are a range of other items on the menu like sandwiches and salads, but go for the crÃªpes. The Chile crÃªpes is best (with Tobasco on the side) and their coffees are great too - Americanos done properly! The owners and wait staff are very friendly despite the - dare I say it - 'snooty' location? But it's all part of the fun... as long as you don't mind a lot of rah-rah'ing and air kissing about you while you chow down.A good selection of huge, delicious crÃªpes you can enjoy either inside (amidst the children's toys and gifts for sale), or outside. Outside is best - squeeze yourself betwixt the 'ladies who lunch' and the dogs who are better groomed than you are and you'll be treated to some of the best people-watching and eavesdropping this town has to offer. There are a range of other items on the menu like sandwiches and salads, but go for the crÃªpes. The Chile crÃªpes is best (with Tobasco on the side) and their coffees are great too - Americanos done properly! The owners and wait staff are very friendly despite the - dare I say it - 'snooty' location? But it's all part of the fun... as long as you don't mind a lot of rah-rah'ing and air kissing about you while you chow down.

Koko - Glam! by VickieMac

VickieMac — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:50:40 +0000

Review by VickieMac

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0870 432 5527

Website: http://www.koko.uk.com

Tags: young and fun, reasonably priced, indie

This is one of my favourite venues in London. It's huge with three(ish) glamourous floors of guilding and plush red curtains and seating. It's great!

I love it best for live bands. The sound is mediocre but the atmosphere is fab. The HUGE disco ball is lots fun and adds a whole lotta sparkle!

Downside, the drinks cost a BOMB!! Wayyyyy too overpriced even for London. So bring your cutest piggy bank.This is one of my favourite venues in London. It's huge with three(ish) glamourous floors of guilding and plush red curtains and seating. It's great!

I love it best for live bands. The sound is mediocre but the atmosphere is fab. The HUGE disco ball is lots fun and adds a whole lotta sparkle!

Downside, the drinks cost a BOMB!! Wayyyyy too overpriced even for London. So bring your cutest piggy bank.

The Dublin Castle - Full of musos & scenesters by VickieMac

VickieMac — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:46:52 +0000

Review by VickieMac

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7485 1773

Tags: live music, relaxed, friendly

The place hosts some of London's best up and coming musicians. It's a great place for a music night out. It's good size venue and the drinks are reasonably priced. The staff are okay too.

But the sound is WAAAAAYYY too loud - to the point of distortion for most bands. It's harsh. And the pub itself smells awful and the lights are blinding for a pub.

As for the clientel - if you read NME, this is your mecca. And be careful who you speak to if you're open to different types of music - some of the clientel is less than open minded. In fact, I'd go so far as to call them music snobs. But of course, that's not everybody and I get the impression from other reviewers that perhaps on the 10 or more occassions I've been there, I've simply met a not-so-representative group of people.

So, I'll keep going there for the music but I might not share my opinion of it with the people I meet there.The place hosts some of London's best up and coming musicians. It's a great place for a music night out. It's good size venue and the drinks are reasonably priced. The staff are okay too.

But the sound is WAAAAAYYY too loud - to the point of distortion for most bands. It's harsh. And the pub itself smells awful and the lights are blinding for a pub.

As for the clientel - if you read NME, this is your mecca. And be careful who you speak to if you're open to different types of music - some of the clientel is less than open minded. In fact, I'd go so far as to call them music snobs. But of course, that's not everybody and I get the impression from other reviewers that perhaps on the 10 or more occassions I've been there, I've simply met a not-so-representative group of people.

So, I'll keep going there for the music but I might not share my opinion of it with the people I meet there.

The Queens - Frank, burgers and other stuff by up_shiraz

up_shiraz — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:17:31 +0000

Review by up_shiraz

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7586 0408

Website: http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk

Tags: jazz, independent pub, food

Okay, now what's the plan if you go to a restaurant that is average and knows it, but does it well at least? If it executes well, can it reach the heights? Or, much like the new Olympic Gymanstics scoring system, does it have a maximum potential score depending on its difficulty level? So many quasi-existential issues in this game...or something like that...

Anyway, The Queens does a job. Come lunchtime the day after a big event, it seems we head to this Primrose Hill pub for a burger. Occasionally in the past the service has been truly horrific, but the staff and the kitchen have changed in the last year and it's pretty decent these days.

The menu is fine but unexciting - burger, club sandwich, fish 'n' chips, cobb salad, linguine, chicken. Upstairs it feels a bit more gastro-y with posher mirrors and patterned upholstery, while downstairs has a more pubby feel. The wine list doesn't really get the blood pumping either.

So i'll stop skirting around the main issue. The food is fine. It isn't cheap and it isn't brilliant. The burger can be meaty and juicy. The club sandwich is fine. Chips with both are entirely reasonable. It's just that you might not bother unless you're worn out or hungover. Or if it's sunny - there's a tiny but lovely terrace upstairs which looks out over the park. You can munch your bread and meat combo and watch Liam Gallagher or Jules Oliver wandering past below.

But back to Winter...and lunch today. We left with the distinct feeling that the two high points of the meal were the feeling of stomachy fullness and the Frank Sinatra soundtrack which had everyone humming along. But that's okay and it hits 3 stars with flying colours. It's like it came 7th in the rythmic gymnastics - it's not going to get much time on the BBC highlights show. That said, we 'come fly-ed with me' all the way back to the office and the afternoon didn't look so bad at all.

Okay, now what's the plan if you go to a restaurant that is average and knows it, but does it well at least? If it executes well, can it reach the heights? Or, much like the new Olympic Gymanstics scoring system, does it have a maximum potential score depending on its difficulty level? So many quasi-existential issues in this game...or something like that...

Anyway, The Queens does a job. Come lunchtime the day after a big event, it seems we head to this Primrose Hill pub for a burger. Occasionally in the past the service has been truly horrific, but the staff and the kitchen have changed in the last year and it's pretty decent these days.

The menu is fine but unexciting - burger, club sandwich, fish 'n' chips, cobb salad, linguine, chicken. Upstairs it feels a bit more gastro-y with posher mirrors and patterned upholstery, while downstairs has a more pubby feel. The wine list doesn't really get the blood pumping either.

So i'll stop skirting around the main issue. The food is fine. It isn't cheap and it isn't brilliant. The burger can be meaty and juicy. The club sandwich is fine. Chips with both are entirely reasonable. It's just that you might not bother unless you're worn out or hungover. Or if it's sunny - there's a tiny but lovely terrace upstairs which looks out over the park. You can munch your bread and meat combo and watch Liam Gallagher or Jules Oliver wandering past below.

But back to Winter...and lunch today. We left with the distinct feeling that the two high points of the meal were the feeling of stomachy fullness and the Frank Sinatra soundtrack which had everyone humming along. But that's okay and it hits 3 stars with flying colours. It's like it came 7th in the rythmic gymnastics - it's not going to get much time on the BBC highlights show. That said, we 'come fly-ed with me' all the way back to the office and the afternoon didn't look so bad at all.

Dots Music Shop - by lesleyI

lesleyI — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:54 +0000

Review by lesleyI

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7482 5424

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

Tags: music, reasonable, friendly staff

Agree with the above. Lovely friendly shop.Agree with the above. Lovely friendly shop.

The Engineer - Don't bother by meikejean

meikejean — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:24:39 +0000

Review by meikejean

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7722 0950

Website: http://www.the-engineer.com

Tags: gastro pub, lively, beer garden

Today was a glorious Autumn Sunday in London - possibly our last for 2008 - and everyone was out and about making the most of the city, with smiles as bright as the sunshine. That's everyone except the staff at The Engineer, who were grumpy and rude and contemptuous from the moment we arrived.

We had a booking for a large group of 12, which we all understand can be more difficult to look after in terms of serving meals etc so we split our group into a table of 6 and table of 4 as requested - this pub doesn't do bookings for more than 10. The waitress 'looking after us' in fact told us that their kitchen can't handle tables larger than 6.

Our plan for the afternoon was to sit in the beer garden on this beautiful day, eat a yummy lunch (which it was), and share quite a few drinks with some friends but the staff at this pub seemed intent on making sure that didn't happen - we were sick of the treatment so left as soon as we'd finished lunch to go to another pub nearby for a few more drinks.

The staff at The Engineer don't seem to understand the concept of the hospitality business. They were anything but hospitable. I won't be coming back or recommending it.Today was a glorious Autumn Sunday in London - possibly our last for 2008 - and everyone was out and about making the most of the city, with smiles as bright as the sunshine. That's everyone except the staff at The Engineer, who were grumpy and rude and contemptuous from the moment we arrived.

We had a booking for a large group of 12, which we all understand can be more difficult to look after in terms of serving meals etc so we split our group into a table of 6 and table of 4 as requested - this pub doesn't do bookings for more than 10. The waitress 'looking after us' in fact told us that their kitchen can't handle tables larger than 6.

Our plan for the afternoon was to sit in the beer garden on this beautiful day, eat a yummy lunch (which it was), and share quite a few drinks with some friends but the staff at this pub seemed intent on making sure that didn't happen - we were sick of the treatment so left as soon as we'd finished lunch to go to another pub nearby for a few more drinks.

The staff at The Engineer don't seem to understand the concept of the hospitality business. They were anything but hospitable. I won't be coming back or recommending it.

Hache Burger Connoisseurs - Burgers nonpareil by bellaphon

bellaphon — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:50:41 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7485 9100

Tags: good value, american, relaxed

Talking burgers can quite often evoke and arouse disputations and deliberations among the beef patty cognoscenti on where to go for the best sandwich in town. Iâ¬"ve been prompted a few times that the burgers served at The Ivy and Maze Grill are the best in London. Iâ¬"ve tried the one (AA Gillâ¬"s determinate choice) at the former on two occasions and it was nothing spectacular, soggy and rather slapdash, and as for the latter I think Iâ¬"ll only go there for the steaks. If an equivalent of the Premiership league was suggested for restaurants serving the best burgers in the country then I will not hesitate to say that HachÃ© belongs to one of the "Big Four".

These posh tasting steak hachÃ© burgers are indeed bespoke and thankfully they donâ¬"t cost the earth. Wonderful innovations on the burgers are offered from the Atkins friendly version of Steak Au Naturel to the Le Sicilian (with Parma Ham and melted Premium Mozarella Cheese). Pescitarians can also be equally elated with HachÃ©â¬"s choices of delicious chunky Cod and Tuna burgers. Both fat and thin (to comply with the French theme) chips are available as sides. The puddings are pretty much accomplished; the delicious Banoffee Pie is gregarious in size so itâ¬"s not entirely applicable to the solo diner and the superior Chocolate Brownies served with Ice Cream are dangerous enough to postpone any imminent diets. The ambience is lively, crowded and the lighting in the dining room annoyingly incandescent. The service in restaurants of this ilk can be hit or miss, so good luck; but donâ¬"t let that get in the way of the food.

To the Casey family who owns this joint, I take me hat off and please do not turn your fine efforts into a GBK, FBC, ABC, or XYZ chain.
Talking burgers can quite often evoke and arouse disputations and deliberations among the beef patty cognoscenti on where to go for the best sandwich in town. Iâ¬"ve been prompted a few times that the burgers served at The Ivy and Maze Grill are the best in London. Iâ¬"ve tried the one (AA Gillâ¬"s determinate choice) at the former on two occasions and it was nothing spectacular, soggy and rather slapdash, and as for the latter I think Iâ¬"ll only go there for the steaks. If an equivalent of the Premiership league was suggested for restaurants serving the best burgers in the country then I will not hesitate to say that HachÃ© belongs to one of the "Big Four".

These posh tasting steak hachÃ© burgers are indeed bespoke and thankfully they donâ¬"t cost the earth. Wonderful innovations on the burgers are offered from the Atkins friendly version of Steak Au Naturel to the Le Sicilian (with Parma Ham and melted Premium Mozarella Cheese). Pescitarians can also be equally elated with HachÃ©â¬"s choices of delicious chunky Cod and Tuna burgers. Both fat and thin (to comply with the French theme) chips are available as sides. The puddings are pretty much accomplished; the delicious Banoffee Pie is gregarious in size so itâ¬"s not entirely applicable to the solo diner and the superior Chocolate Brownies served with Ice Cream are dangerous enough to postpone any imminent diets. The ambience is lively, crowded and the lighting in the dining room annoyingly incandescent. The service in restaurants of this ilk can be hit or miss, so good luck; but donâ¬"t let that get in the way of the food.

To the Casey family who owns this joint, I take me hat off and please do not turn your fine efforts into a GBK, FBC, ABC, or XYZ chain.

Edinboro Castle - Great pub, slow service by ben1982

ben1982 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:15:32 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7255 9651

Tags: beer garden, modern pub, relaxed

A huge terrace, stylish wallpapered interior, great selection of beers and a barbecue throughout the summer are all reasons to pay a visit to this pub. But be ready for some of London's slowest moving bar staff. The sheer volume of people justifiably found here on any sunny evening coupled with a small(ish) bar mean it takes an age to get served, but this is the only problem with what is otherwise a great great pub.A huge terrace, stylish wallpapered interior, great selection of beers and a barbecue throughout the summer are all reasons to pay a visit to this pub. But be ready for some of London's slowest moving bar staff. The sheer volume of people justifiably found here on any sunny evening coupled with a small(ish) bar mean it takes an age to get served, but this is the only problem with what is otherwise a great great pub.

The Jazz Cafe - by travelwhammy

travelwhammy — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:12:47 +0000

Review by travelwhammy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7916 6060

Website: http://www.meanfiddler.com/displayPage_jazz.asp?PageID=387

Tags: jazz, live music, cool

I booked tickets to see Nitin Sawhney play live alongside a number of multi-talented musicians from around the world. The tickets were not cheap at Â£35.00 each, but it was an experience I will not forget. The venue is quite small, but this gives a really cosy feel, especially you will never be more than a few meters away from the stage - keeping you close to the musicians.

A meal could have been included for around another Â£20.00 per ticket, but this option had sold out a number of weeks before the event had taken place. This would have been an excellent way to enjoy the performance, as the dining area is set on the first floor, overlooking the stage. However, I certainly wasn't disappointed with dinner tickets being sold out, as I was able to get very close to the front of the crowd and really appreciate the live show. A real treat...I booked tickets to see Nitin Sawhney play live alongside a number of multi-talented musicians from around the world. The tickets were not cheap at Â£35.00 each, but it was an experience I will not forget. The venue is quite small, but this gives a really cosy feel, especially you will never be more than a few meters away from the stage - keeping you close to the musicians.

A meal could have been included for around another Â£20.00 per ticket, but this option had sold out a number of weeks before the event had taken place. This would have been an excellent way to enjoy the performance, as the dining area is set on the first floor, overlooking the stage. However, I certainly wasn't disappointed with dinner tickets being sold out, as I was able to get very close to the front of the crowd and really appreciate the live show. A real treat...

Mario's Cafe - Perfection by tightwad

tightwad — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:54:07 +0000

Review by tightwad

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7284 2066

Tags: amazing brew, top food, cosy

Its not everyday you see a financial advisor ask if he can sit down at the table with a couple of builders and then have them all chatting away over breakfast. But that is what you will regularly see at mario's cafe. But this is what you will regularly see here. The food is cooked to perfection (for this type of food!) and there is a fantastic choice on offer so you won't be short of choice! Perhaps there is too much on offer, i find myself standing there for a while pondering what to have - its all delicious! Their coffee is also fantastic!Its not everyday you see a financial advisor ask if he can sit down at the table with a couple of builders and then have them all chatting away over breakfast. But that is what you will regularly see at mario's cafe. But this is what you will regularly see here. The food is cooked to perfection (for this type of food!) and there is a fantastic choice on offer so you won't be short of choice! Perhaps there is too much on offer, i find myself standing there for a while pondering what to have - its all delicious! Their coffee is also fantastic!

Camden Market - eclectic style by clubby2

clubby2 — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:23:18 +0000

Review by clubby2

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7485 5473

Website: http://www.camdenlock.net

Tags: second hand, helpful staff, vintage clothing

Camden market has its own sense of style that can be found no where else. It has such a wide variety of fashions and accessories to choose from, that there is some thing for every one. We went looking for some funky trousers and found a lot of colours and styles that we liked. Have been many times looking for different stuff and have never been unable to find a bargain. I have found that some stalls can be over priced, so plead poverty and haggle a bit for their best prices. The selection of food out lets is great too and never fails to please. A great place to shop till you dropCamden market has its own sense of style that can be found no where else. It has such a wide variety of fashions and accessories to choose from, that there is some thing for every one. We went looking for some funky trousers and found a lot of colours and styles that we liked. Have been many times looking for different stuff and have never been unable to find a bargain. I have found that some stalls can be over priced, so plead poverty and haggle a bit for their best prices. The selection of food out lets is great too and never fails to please. A great place to shop till you drop

Kieser Training - by carl007

carl007 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:40:24 +0000

Review by carl007

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7391 9980

Website: http://www.kieser-training.com

excellent staff, very compentent - and they fixed my back problem!excellent staff, very compentent - and they fixed my back problem!

Gilgamesh - Top place by christyas

christyas — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:39:22 +0000

Review by christyas

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7482 5757

Website: http://www.gilgameshbar.com/

Tags: thai, lively, expensive

allway stunning foodallway stunning food

Cafe 43 - by dogan

dogan — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:37:34 +0000

Review by dogan

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7485 7266

Tags: cosy, crowded, lively

I would recommend this caffe to anyone and everyone!!!!I would recommend this caffe to anyone and everyone!!!!

Devonshire Arms - Good in parts. by PlasticMoose

PlasticMoose — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:11:01 +0000

Review by PlasticMoose

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7284 0562

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

Tags: live music, rock, dj

I find it quite hard to review the Dev as my experiences have varied from fantastic to awful.
The atmosphere is pretty good and the music is generally at a level that allows a degree of conversation, which is fairly rair in "alternative" pubs. That certainly makes a nice change. A good mix of music is played too, despite it's reputation as a goth venue.
Drinks are priced in line with the area.
Again though, the toilets leave a great deal to be desired and it means you either have to be extremely brave or drunk, or one has to resign oneself to leaving after a couple of pints in search of somewhere cleaner.
I find it quite hard to review the Dev as my experiences have varied from fantastic to awful.
The atmosphere is pretty good and the music is generally at a level that allows a degree of conversation, which is fairly rair in "alternative" pubs. That certainly makes a nice change. A good mix of music is played too, despite it's reputation as a goth venue.
Drinks are priced in line with the area.
Again though, the toilets leave a great deal to be desired and it means you either have to be extremely brave or drunk, or one has to resign oneself to leaving after a couple of pints in search of somewhere cleaner.

The Lord Stanley - Best pub grub in the area ! by Denise_Shields

Denise_Shields — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:10:10 +0000

Review by Denise_Shields

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7428 9488

Tags: beer garden, excellent pub food, gastro pub

The Lord Stanley is a saving grace in the area of Kentish Town/Holloway, which is desolation row when it comes to foodies !

The decor is 'lived in', with leather sofas scattered round one side of the bar. There is a pleasant little garden out the back, which provides a lovely oasis in the summer. The clientele are as laid back as the decor, and all in all it as a very relaxing atmosphere.

The food is where it comes into its own. It is cooked in front of you and the menu (on a large blackboard) is large and varied. Sunday roasts are a speciality.

Like the other reviews, if there is one niggle it would be the service. It can take an aged to get your food.

The service gripe aside, it comes highly recommended.The Lord Stanley is a saving grace in the area of Kentish Town/Holloway, which is desolation row when it comes to foodies !

The decor is 'lived in', with leather sofas scattered round one side of the bar. There is a pleasant little garden out the back, which provides a lovely oasis in the summer. The clientele are as laid back as the decor, and all in all it as a very relaxing atmosphere.

The food is where it comes into its own. It is cooked in front of you and the menu (on a large blackboard) is large and varied. Sunday roasts are a speciality.

Like the other reviews, if there is one niggle it would be the service. It can take an aged to get your food.

The service gripe aside, it comes highly recommended.

Camden Tandoori Restaurant - They serve Cockroaches by pyro

pyro — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:27:58 +0000

Review by pyro

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7482 2717

Tags: indian, takeaway, vegetarian dishes

I used to live in a flat right above Camden Tandoori, so as soon as I moved in I ordered some take-away, because I just love Indian food! In my opinion, the quality of food was below average, but it didn't really matter.

I was terrified when I realised that there were COCKROACHES in my flat! So I went downstairs to check what was going on and all I got was a rude old man (the owner I think) telling me that they come from a motorcycle shop next door! So I called my estate agents and when a pest control guy came round and put stuff down, he said that until they get rid of them downstairs in the restaurant, there's no chance I will.

I know there are not many indian restaurants in Camden, but eating there is health-hazardous and I'm sure you can do better than with cockroach and mice footprint on your food.I used to live in a flat right above Camden Tandoori, so as soon as I moved in I ordered some take-away, because I just love Indian food! In my opinion, the quality of food was below average, but it didn't really matter.

I was terrified when I realised that there were COCKROACHES in my flat! So I went downstairs to check what was going on and all I got was a rude old man (the owner I think) telling me that they come from a motorcycle shop next door! So I called my estate agents and when a pest control guy came round and put stuff down, he said that until they get rid of them downstairs in the restaurant, there's no chance I will.

I know there are not many indian restaurants in Camden, but eating there is health-hazardous and I'm sure you can do better than with cockroach and mice footprint on your food.

Barfly @ The Monarch - Ragedy fun by messydesk

messydesk — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:54:20 +0000

Review by messydesk

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7691 4244

Website: http://www.barflyclub.com

Tags: live music, cool, relaxed

The Barfly London is split into two venues during the week, the pub part downstairs and a music venue upstairs, so if you turn up on a weekday you can have a drink without paying to see the bands. On Friday and Saturdays however, it becomes one big venue with a cover charge for the whole place, so don't get caught out if you're just looking for a place to meet friends then move on.
The downstairs bar is basically a huge old pub with all the tables taken out, but other than the rather fancy branded windows it's worn and tatty, with scuffed black walls and posters for obscure bands blue tacked on every surface. It's got a lot of charm though and Matt and Greg, the managers are the type of publicans that make you want to come back time and again. The barstaff are friendly too, possibly due to aforementioned management and there's usually a healthy crowd of interesting looking alternative types hanging around. The upstairs room is less appealing, it's basically a large box of a room with nowhere to sit and nothing to look at, good if you're watching a band, but if you're looking for anything other than that, stay downstairs.
Obviously, it's not a place for the beer or food connoisseur, you'll get a fizzy pint and a box of Pringles and you'll like it, but it has a licence till 3am most nights, with various clubs and DJs throughout the week. If you're looking for a che-che, uptown sort of place forget it, if you're looking for the sort of grungy dive Camden is famous for, you won't go far wrong.The Barfly London is split into two venues during the week, the pub part downstairs and a music venue upstairs, so if you turn up on a weekday you can have a drink without paying to see the bands. On Friday and Saturdays however, it becomes one big venue with a cover charge for the whole place, so don't get caught out if you're just looking for a place to meet friends then move on.
The downstairs bar is basically a huge old pub with all the tables taken out, but other than the rather fancy branded windows it's worn and tatty, with scuffed black walls and posters for obscure bands blue tacked on every surface. It's got a lot of charm though and Matt and Greg, the managers are the type of publicans that make you want to come back time and again. The barstaff are friendly too, possibly due to aforementioned management and there's usually a healthy crowd of interesting looking alternative types hanging around. The upstairs room is less appealing, it's basically a large box of a room with nowhere to sit and nothing to look at, good if you're watching a band, but if you're looking for anything other than that, stay downstairs.
Obviously, it's not a place for the beer or food connoisseur, you'll get a fizzy pint and a box of Pringles and you'll like it, but it has a licence till 3am most nights, with various clubs and DJs throughout the week. If you're looking for a che-che, uptown sort of place forget it, if you're looking for the sort of grungy dive Camden is famous for, you won't go far wrong.

London Zoo - a day at the zoo by furrypig

furrypig — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:14:42 +0000

Review by furrypig

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7722 3333

Website: http://www.zsl.org/

Tags: animals, fun, zoo

My first comment is buy your ticket in advance! Luckily we had as it was a 20 minute (at least) wait to reach the entrance. The children really enjoyed the day despite being caught in the rain! Well it was the summer holidays! Our favourites were the penguins, the giraffes and the monkeys.

Inside the food and drinks were expensive so worth bringing some of your own refreshments in although we found it difficult to find somewhere to sit down to eat.My first comment is buy your ticket in advance! Luckily we had as it was a 20 minute (at least) wait to reach the entrance. The children really enjoyed the day despite being caught in the rain! Well it was the summer holidays! Our favourites were the penguins, the giraffes and the monkeys.

Inside the food and drinks were expensive so worth bringing some of your own refreshments in although we found it difficult to find somewhere to sit down to eat.