Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Tufnell Park, London, United Kingdom

Cramers Butchers - by coomberc

coomberc — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:24:34 +0000

Review by coomberc

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7607 3208

great prices, really friendly family run place...and damn tasty.
caters for cheaper cuts as well for special occasions.great prices, really friendly family run place...and damn tasty.
caters for cheaper cuts as well for special occasions.

B & M Seafoods - Good quality produce comes at a price.... by AlexWoods

AlexWoods — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:35:21 +0000

Review by AlexWoods

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7485 0346

Tags: value for money, good service, bad

While I appreciate that feeling ripped off is not a recommendation, I feel that sjt is being a little harsh on B&M Seafood (and has every right to be so!)

We are, however, both agreed that the quality of the produce is top drawer. I went on Saturday as part of a recon mission, and was so impressed at how delicious and fresh the fish looked that I purchased a mackerel for my lunch and a red gurnard for myself and "The Dorris", as she loathes to be called, for Sunday evening.

The mackerel was so bright eyed I could imagine the beautiful tiger-striped beasty was but playing a trick on me and waiting to spring up at any moment and make a bid for freedom. Simple treatment (baked on a bed of bay leaves, parboiled potatoes, lemon and shallots - DELICIOUS!), one of the tastiest mackerel I've had since the last time I went fishing for them myself.

The gurnard was of similarly high quality. If you have not yet indulged in the delights of gurnard I urge you to do so! Many older cook books describe it as "insipid", "bitter", and many discount it as not being worth eating at all. This is nonsense. It's firm, white, meaty flesh is very tasty indeed and stands up well to pot-roasting, addition to stews and soups, and bakes very well wrapped in pancetta or streaky bacon, much like monk fish. With an anchovy butter or slightly piquant parsley sauce, it is rapidly becoming one of my favourite fish. This is rapidly becoming an essay rather than a review. Back to the point.

The fish were delicious, the monger knowledgeable, amiable and cooperative. I asked if he had any off cuts I could use for stock and walked out with 4 bright, fresh sea bass carcasses and heads.

Now, one can pay less than £8 for a mackerel and a gurnard, but both fish were large enough to produce two generous meals. Bearing this in mind along with the quality of the fish and service, I would not hesitate to highly recommend this place, and do not begrudge paying the £8 I parted with.

B&M are not just fishmongers but butchers also. The range of meat was impressive, though stock slightly depleted by a Saturday afternoon, and looked very delicious indeed. I asked about ordering a joint for Easter Sunday and was assured that there would be not need as meat is delivered every Friday, but they would make sure there was a shoulder of lamb set aside for me. That kind of service is what makes me smile.

All in all, it isnâ¬"t cheap. Certainly not as cheap as your local supermarket (which doesnâ¬"t really break my heart!) but you get what you pay for, and more.While I appreciate that feeling ripped off is not a recommendation, I feel that sjt is being a little harsh on B&M Seafood (and has every right to be so!)

We are, however, both agreed that the quality of the produce is top drawer. I went on Saturday as part of a recon mission, and was so impressed at how delicious and fresh the fish looked that I purchased a mackerel for my lunch and a red gurnard for myself and "The Dorris", as she loathes to be called, for Sunday evening.

The mackerel was so bright eyed I could imagine the beautiful tiger-striped beasty was but playing a trick on me and waiting to spring up at any moment and make a bid for freedom. Simple treatment (baked on a bed of bay leaves, parboiled potatoes, lemon and shallots - DELICIOUS!), one of the tastiest mackerel I've had since the last time I went fishing for them myself.

The gurnard was of similarly high quality. If you have not yet indulged in the delights of gurnard I urge you to do so! Many older cook books describe it as "insipid", "bitter", and many discount it as not being worth eating at all. This is nonsense. It's firm, white, meaty flesh is very tasty indeed and stands up well to pot-roasting, addition to stews and soups, and bakes very well wrapped in pancetta or streaky bacon, much like monk fish. With an anchovy butter or slightly piquant parsley sauce, it is rapidly becoming one of my favourite fish. This is rapidly becoming an essay rather than a review. Back to the point.

The fish were delicious, the monger knowledgeable, amiable and cooperative. I asked if he had any off cuts I could use for stock and walked out with 4 bright, fresh sea bass carcasses and heads.

Now, one can pay less than £8 for a mackerel and a gurnard, but both fish were large enough to produce two generous meals. Bearing this in mind along with the quality of the fish and service, I would not hesitate to highly recommend this place, and do not begrudge paying the £8 I parted with.

B&M are not just fishmongers but butchers also. The range of meat was impressive, though stock slightly depleted by a Saturday afternoon, and looked very delicious indeed. I asked about ordering a joint for Easter Sunday and was assured that there would be not need as meat is delivered every Friday, but they would make sure there was a shoulder of lamb set aside for me. That kind of service is what makes me smile.

All in all, it isnâ¬"t cheap. Certainly not as cheap as your local supermarket (which doesnâ¬"t really break my heart!) but you get what you pay for, and more.

Salvino - Mama Mia! by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:48:39 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7267 5305

The well-groomed staff are first generation Italian with a touch of that lounge-lizard Italian style. Even in the winter they look slightly tanned. The accents are low-key and local, the attitude to food - pure Italian. They discuss is the way an amateur painter would drool over the old masters, kind of with a mixture of awe, reverence and carnality. They're always friendly to customers, sometimes they veer off in a hot-one with each other in Italian but that helps make the place more authentic. They're happy to let you sample at the deli counter where the food varies from the sublime to the fairly good. Around Christmas time they have a stock of imported goodies, Panoforte and biscuits. The really good brands go very fast and you have to get in their quick. The roast artichokes in jars are particularly yummy packed in extra thick Olive Olive they're wonderful. If your on a budget with a sweet tooth the filled cherry biscuits they sell are pretty wow. If your flush - the custard tarts will send you reeling. They have a permanent wine sale on the go. Two bottles of good cooking and glugging white or red - Â£5. All that and a touch of Italian style - can't say fairer than that.The well-groomed staff are first generation Italian with a touch of that lounge-lizard Italian style. Even in the winter they look slightly tanned. The accents are low-key and local, the attitude to food - pure Italian. They discuss is the way an amateur painter would drool over the old masters, kind of with a mixture of awe, reverence and carnality. They're always friendly to customers, sometimes they veer off in a hot-one with each other in Italian but that helps make the place more authentic. They're happy to let you sample at the deli counter where the food varies from the sublime to the fairly good. Around Christmas time they have a stock of imported goodies, Panoforte and biscuits. The really good brands go very fast and you have to get in their quick. The roast artichokes in jars are particularly yummy packed in extra thick Olive Olive they're wonderful. If your on a budget with a sweet tooth the filled cherry biscuits they sell are pretty wow. If your flush - the custard tarts will send you reeling. They have a permanent wine sale on the go. Two bottles of good cooking and glugging white or red - Â£5. All that and a touch of Italian style - can't say fairer than that.

Morrisons - Tiger Breads rules by realalelass

realalelass — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:11:42 +0000

Review by realalelass

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7700 4744

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

Tags: delivery service, newspapers / magazines, atm / cash machine

Morrisons rocks - cheap prices for good quality produce (on the whole). Very important during the 'credit crunch', as the alternative nearby supermarket is Waitrose (expensive).

Look out for the weekly special offers if you're shopping on a budget. And if you are buying bread, you must try their tiger bread, it is gorgeous.

Petrol is cheap at Morrisons, so if you drive, make sure you fill up here.

The cafes are cheap and cheerful - fish and chips is always a good option. Toilets and baby changing facilities are handy in this area as well. Easy to get to on the main Holloway Road.

But make sure you're feeling patient when you visit - this shop is always heaving!Morrisons rocks - cheap prices for good quality produce (on the whole). Very important during the 'credit crunch', as the alternative nearby supermarket is Waitrose (expensive).

Look out for the weekly special offers if you're shopping on a budget. And if you are buying bread, you must try their tiger bread, it is gorgeous.

Petrol is cheap at Morrisons, so if you drive, make sure you fill up here.

The cafes are cheap and cheerful - fish and chips is always a good option. Toilets and baby changing facilities are handy in this area as well. Easy to get to on the main Holloway Road.

But make sure you're feeling patient when you visit - this shop is always heaving!

Tesco Express - Small by beardedbenito

beardedbenito — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:09:57 +0000

Review by beardedbenito

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7267 7348

Website: http://www.tesco.com

Tags: delivery service, newspapers / magazines

Being an express store this is very small selling only the most expensive items. saying that, this is a very handy store for picking up a magazine of newspaper. I have never had a problem with queues as there are a few express stores in the road including a supermarket next door, but i do sometimes have trouble looking for particular items. They stock bread but this usually sells out and a large veg section. The next best thing is Tesco online. Staff are always very quiet, cant remember ever being spoken to but they are never rude. Definitely worth popping in if you just want some milk, if not there are plenty of other places to go down the road.Being an express store this is very small selling only the most expensive items. saying that, this is a very handy store for picking up a magazine of newspaper. I have never had a problem with queues as there are a few express stores in the road including a supermarket next door, but i do sometimes have trouble looking for particular items. They stock bread but this usually sells out and a large veg section. The next best thing is Tesco online. Staff are always very quiet, cant remember ever being spoken to but they are never rude. Definitely worth popping in if you just want some milk, if not there are plenty of other places to go down the road.

Somerfield - Somerfield in Kentish Town by jellybeans

jellybeans — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:31:47 +0000

Review by jellybeans

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7267 7668

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

Tags: delivery service, mobile top-up cards, frozen foods

This convenient Somerfield is located on the main High Street and though it is small, it still provides quite a range of things on offer and they also have deals on things as well.

Though this place can get busy and crowded, if you are unable to get elsewhere to shop, then this place can provide what you need, but you will have to pay for it here. It's a trade off between convenience and time saving, against variety and price. So you get what you pay for, in this case the convenience and that comes with a slightly higher price tag.This convenient Somerfield is located on the main High Street and though it is small, it still provides quite a range of things on offer and they also have deals on things as well.

Though this place can get busy and crowded, if you are unable to get elsewhere to shop, then this place can provide what you need, but you will have to pay for it here. It's a trade off between convenience and time saving, against variety and price. So you get what you pay for, in this case the convenience and that comes with a slightly higher price tag.

Earth Natural Foods - Food Treats by LOVEANDKATE

LOVEANDKATE — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:04:27 +0000

Review by LOVEANDKATE

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7482 2211

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

Tags: rare finds, healthy food, mediterranean

I really like the Earth Natural Foods store. Yes it is shockingly expensive for some goods like all organic shops are. But, if you're clever and have the time you can sucessfully combine shopping here with other stores and still win price wise.

They often have a reduced basket near the tea section and a reduced bread shelf opposite the cereals.

I tend to buy non fresh product here such as cordials, preserves, sauces and tinned goods that will change the taste of my cooking and may sit in my kitchen cupboard for a while to be used more than once.

I do, however treat myself at their cheese counter where the assistant is very knowledgable and helpful.

Its the choice that I like, I enjoys seeing product that is unfamiliar and that I want to try. i like reading the labels and I feel that it is a learning experience every time I visit.

I also like the fact that it is on my doorstep and stepping inside always means a food treat!!I really like the Earth Natural Foods store. Yes it is shockingly expensive for some goods like all organic shops are. But, if you're clever and have the time you can sucessfully combine shopping here with other stores and still win price wise.

They often have a reduced basket near the tea section and a reduced bread shelf opposite the cereals.

I tend to buy non fresh product here such as cordials, preserves, sauces and tinned goods that will change the taste of my cooking and may sit in my kitchen cupboard for a while to be used more than once.

I do, however treat myself at their cheese counter where the assistant is very knowledgable and helpful.

Its the choice that I like, I enjoys seeing product that is unfamiliar and that I want to try. i like reading the labels and I feel that it is a learning experience every time I visit.

I also like the fact that it is on my doorstep and stepping inside always means a food treat!!

The Wine Cellar - Portugeuse Wine and Port by sokratis

sokratis — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:33:26 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7267 9501

Tags: portuguese, delicatessen, healthy food

Last time I reviewed The Wine Cellar, I seemed a bit sceptical about their claim to be stocking the 'largest selection of Portuguese wine in London'. Well, now I'm far less so, as I had a look at the basement cellar, which is pretty likely to make the above statement true.
You have above 50 square meters (that's probably a few million sqaure feet for the imperially inclined amongst you) of dedicate shelve space to Portuguese wine and an excellent selection of port too.

It's virtually impossible to spot this from the shop floor, so make sure you ask the owner about wine or port. Do try it out. You'll be spoilt for choice.Last time I reviewed The Wine Cellar, I seemed a bit sceptical about their claim to be stocking the 'largest selection of Portuguese wine in London'. Well, now I'm far less so, as I had a look at the basement cellar, which is pretty likely to make the above statement true.
You have above 50 square meters (that's probably a few million sqaure feet for the imperially inclined amongst you) of dedicate shelve space to Portuguese wine and an excellent selection of port too.

It's virtually impossible to spot this from the shop floor, so make sure you ask the owner about wine or port. Do try it out. You'll be spoilt for choice.